Power banks have been the go-to gadget for on-the-go charging, but Anker’s founder and CEO, Meng Yang, recently dropped a surprising prediction: power banks might “die in a few years.”
- Anker’s CEO compares power banks to outdated gadgets like MP3 and cassette players.
- Despite Anker’s roots in power banks, the company is diversifying into broader charging and smart device markets.
- Over 2025, Anker’s revenue hit 30.514 billion yuan, with charging products making up half.
- Anker admits having too many power bank models led to quality control issues.
From Power Banks to a Broader Charging Ecosystem
Founded in 2011, Anker quickly became synonymous with portable chargers, dominating overseas markets with its power bank lineup. Yet, Meng Yang’s recent comments reveal a shift in perspective. He likens power banks to once-essential but now-obsolete gadgets such as MP3 players and cassette decks, which had life cycles of about a decade before fading away.
This analogy highlights the transient nature of consumer electronics and hints that power banks may soon follow the same trajectory.
Financial Snapshot and Product Strategy Shift
In 2025, Anker reported a revenue surge to 30.514 billion yuan (about $4.4 billion USD), marking a 23.49% year-over-year increase. Charging and energy storage products brought in 15.402 billion yuan (around $2.22 billion USD), accounting for roughly half of the total revenue.
However, traditional power banks no longer dominate Anker’s portfolio. The company has expanded into a diverse range of charging accessories, smart gadgets, and energy storage solutions, signaling a strategic pivot to adapt to evolving market demands.
The Challenge of Too Many Models
Yang also acknowledged that Anker had overextended its power bank lineup, selling approximately 100 different models in 2024 alone. This aggressive expansion created quality control challenges, prompting the company to reconsider its approach.
At the 2025 annual shareholders’ meeting, Anker admitted that maintaining quality across such a vast array of products was unrealistic. They emphasized that no company should have 100 power bank models on the market simultaneously.
Will Power Banks Become Obsolete?
While power banks remain useful in today’s mobile lifestyle, technological advancements and changing consumer habits could reduce their relevance. Meng Yang’s prediction reflects a broader trend where once-essential gadgets are replaced or integrated into newer technologies.
As Anker continues to innovate and diversify, the future of portable charging may look quite different from today’s power banks.
Reference: Anker | GizmoChina
