Well, this is a bit of an ecologic disaster. It's another singe-use product that seems to contain a fully rechargeable lithium cell.
I can understand why they did it, since lithium ion cells have a very high energy density and are cheap to mass produce, but it still seems a terrible thing to make a disposable item that could be reused 1000 times if it had been designed around a standard power bank chip and fitted with a recharge socket.
On a plus note, for people like us it's a handy source of a decent capacity lithium cell for a low price on the high street. Note that this cell will be a typical low current cell and is not recommended for use in a high current drain application like a drone.
I have recharged the cell in one of these units completely without incident and believe them to be standard rechargeable cells, but as it's not specifically sold as being rechargeable the usual precautions should be taken when experimenting with lithium cells. the cell is bare and would require external overcharge protection.
It's interesting to note that the original manufacturer of these (Hopepower) also does a dual connector version that suits both Apple and Android devices, and does a very similar rechargeable version.
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:-
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12 thoughts on “What’s inside a tesco power hit disposable phone charger.”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Daniel Wade Buttry says:

    One of the first elements we will run out of is lithium. Theres not enough mines, plus its an ingredient used in meth.

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Clear Water says:

    This is so wasteful I hate this.

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars MrVidification says:

    This exact one is being sold in the Co-op.

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Huge Bartlett says:

    It is wasteful because that cell rated at 3.7,is identical to the one in my miniature radio,which is rechargeable. Unfortunately,some component seems to have packed up as recharging is impossible. How do you dispose of these chargers? Not in household waste surely?

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars lazybones79 says:

    You are such an idiot for advertising this product.

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Tetta Zwo says:

    This should not exist!

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Kay Sonntag says:

    Absolutely incredible. Waste of resources in its clearest form. It is one thing that many things are hardly repairable nowadays, but to use a lithium rechargeable battery only just once is really hard to beat.

    Since this is an old video, I hope that they are smarter by now and have taken such nonsense off the market. The fact that there is a version that can be recharged is only a weak excuse. I suspect this one will probably be more expensive too.

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Kevin Smoother says:

    Should be illegal unless people take them back for reusing

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Silver Shadow says:

    Fascinating

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars P G says:

    Question-
    If you have a phone with a flat battery and you have a battery pack full and plug them together will you make two devices with the same amount of charge? Thanks for your videos.

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Midnight says:

    You could almost fit the protection circuit from a bl-5c cell in there, with a female micro usb input next to the main plug to charge it.

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars kolmaxik says:

    Naughty voltage

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