Infinix has never been shy about showing off eye-catching concepts, and at last year’s Mobile World Congress the company is literally drawing power from the sky. Among its latest ideas are two solar-powered charging solutions: a phone with an integrated solar panel built directly into the back, and a separate solar charging case designed to top up your battery when you’re away from a wall outlet.
Both are still firmly in concept territory, but the demo units on display were fully functional — and surprisingly practical. Infinix calls the system SolarEnergy-Reserving technology, and it relies on perovskite solar cells rather than traditional silicon. These are thinner, lighter, and cheaper to produce, and we’ve already seen them pop up in experimental accessories from companies like Anker.
To make the setup viable on a smartphone, Infinix pairs the cells with a Maximum Power Point Tracking system, which dynamically regulates voltage to squeeze out as much energy as possible while keeping heat in check. Direct sunlight might be great for solar efficiency, but it’s less ideal for phone thermals. In its current form, the system delivers up to 2W of charging power — not enough for fast charging, but useful for maintaining a reserve while the phone sits idle.
While the solar-backed phone is straightforward in concept, the detachable case feels like the more flexible idea. It connects to a prototype handset via small side contacts, feeding power directly into the device. The appeal is obvious: snap it on during travel, outdoor use, or a power outage, then swap back to a regular case when you don’t need the extra bulk. It’s a modular approach that fits more naturally into everyday use than permanently committing to a solar panel on your phone’s back.
via MSN
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