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Ah chargers, the unsung heroes of our camera bags. When Anker sent over their new Nano Charger with the built-in smart display, I was skeptical. A screen on a wall charger? It seemed like a solution in search of a problem. After a week of daily use, I can admit I was wrong. This little charger has genuinely changed how I think about portable power.
What It Is
The Anker Nano Charger (45 W, Smart Display, 180° Foldable) packs serious charging capability into a form factor that practically disappears in your gear bag:
- 45W maximum USB-C output
- Dimensions: 1.34 x 1.40 x 1.57 inches
- Weight: 2.65 ounces
- 47% smaller and 36% lighter than Anker’s previous 30W charger
- Integrated smart display showing real-time charging info
- Dual-folding prong design with 90° and 180° positioning
The standout feature is the display on top, which shows wattage, battery percentage, temperature, and even identifies your connected device (if using a recent iPhone). The folding prongs let you adapt to virtually any outlet configuration while keeping the screen visible.
The Smart Display: Gimmick or Genuinely Useful?
I went into this expecting to dismiss the display as marketing fluff. Instead, I found myself impressed by its usefulness. When you plug in a device, the charger recognizes it (my iPhone 17 Pro Max appeared by name) and immediately shows the current charging wattage and battery level. No more wondering if your phone is actually fast charging or if you grabbed the wrong cable.
Oh hey there, little buddy. But the display does more than just show stats. Anker has packed in over 20 different interface screens, and the charger cycles through relevant information as it works. You’ll see real-time power output (displayed prominently as “Fast 45 W” when it’s pushing full speed), temperature readings, battery percentage as it climbs, and indicators showing which charging mode is active.
Speaking of modes, there are two: Auto and Care. Auto mode is exactly what it sounds like, prioritizing speed and letting the charger’s three-stage system do its thing. Care mode, activated by double-tapping the charger, is designed for overnight charging and prioritizes battery longevity over raw speed. The display clearly shows which mode you’re in, so there’s never any confusion.
Then there are the animations. Yes, the charger has playful emoji-style graphics that appear during charging. A little smiley face indicates healthy charging status, and there are cheerful animations that play as your device powers up. Is this necessary? Absolutely not. Is it kind of delightful? I have to admit it is. It adds a bit of personality to what would otherwise be a purely utilitarian device. The display rotates to stay readable regardless of how you’ve positioned the prongs, which is a thoughtful touch. Visibility was never an issue, even in bright daylight.
Charging Performance
Anker uses what they call a “smart three-stage charging system” that adjusts power delivery in real time based on your device’s needs. In practice, this means the charger ramps up quickly when you need speed and backs off intelligently as your battery fills. The 45 W maximum output handled my iPhone without issue, delivering exactly the fast charging speeds you’d expect.
For laptop use, the reality is more nuanced. My MacBook Pro M4 Pro ships with a much higher wattage charger, so 45 W isn’t going to charge it at full speed. But that’s not really the point for me. This charger shines on days when I know my laptop battery isn’t going to make it through everything I need to do, but I don’t want to carry a full-sized MacBook charger (or more accurately for me, remember to bring it). The Anker Nano keeps me going. Plugged in during work sessions, it maintains my battery level and prevents the drain that would otherwise force me to pack up early. It’s nice to not have to think about packing my normal charger.
Care Mode and Battery Health
Double-tapping the charger activates what Anker calls Care Mode, a TÜV-certified feature designed for overnight charging. The idea is that it reduces heat buildup in both the charger and your device’s battery, which should help preserve long-term battery health.
I tend to keep my electronics for years, and battery degradation is something I’ve dealt with on older gear. Anything that credibly extends battery lifespan gets my attention. Anker claims the phone battery stays up to 9°F cooler compared to other 45 W chargers in this mode. I can’t verify those specific numbers, but I appreciate that they’re thinking about longevity rather than just raw speed.
Why Photographers Should Care
Here’s the pitch for the Fstoppers crowd: this is the kind of charger you toss in your bag and forget about until you need it. The folding prongs mean it won’t snag on anything. The compact size means it takes up almost no space alongside your memory cards, batteries, and other small essentials. And when you do pull it out, you get legitimate fast charging power rather than the anemic output of most travel-sized adapters.
For location work, wedding days, or any situation where you need to grab a quick charge between setups, having 45cW available in this form factor is a real advantage. It’s also handy as a desk charger at home or in a studio where outlets might be awkwardly positioned. The flexible prong design handles those situations gracefully.
Pricing and Availability
The Anker Nano Charger (45W, Smart Display) is available for $39.99. For what you’re getting, I think that’s reasonable. Charging accessories for expensive electronics aren’t the place to cut corners, and Anker has built a solid reputation over the years. I use several of their products, and they’ve held up well.
The Bottom Line
I genuinely couldn’t find anything to complain about during my week with the Anker Nano Charger. The only thing I might add is an internal clock so the Auto and Care modes could be automatically selected according to the current time. The smart display turned out to be legitimately useful rather than a novelty. The charging performance met expectations. The size and portability are excellent. And the Care Mode adds peace of mind for those of us who want our devices to last.
If you’re looking for a compact, capable charger to add to your kit, the Anker Nano Charger earns a recommendation.