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The serial numbers on the Anker A1263 batteries I have are nearly impossible to read (matte black on matte black) unless I can get just the right angle of light, and even then the plastic is scuffed just enough to make them hard to make out. And I'm not the only person who seems to have the same exact serial number on the two batteries ordered on the same Amazon invoice, so the replacement form won't accept my submission.

I was advised to email Anker support about it (which I did).
Try taking a photo of the serial number. It has worked for me for other products
 
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I thought Anker was more of a premium product. I mean their chargers are like $60.
Any one know a high quality accessory brand?

I am going to guess it doesn't exist, because they all build in the same factory and slap their brand name on the product and sell it as a "competitor".



Enjoy our feelings when American company does a recall when you are not an American. In 2008 or so, XBOX had a fault that bricked the whole $300 console. Do you know how much it cost to ship it to america and back? yup...
Also reminds of Apple's sticky butterfly keyboards.

at least you get gift card or exchange
My point was the customer service offered in the US vs China per the article…
 
what kind of customer service is this, for the US? Not only no refund, but leave the recycling to the local authorities?

I've liked Anker in the past, but going forward - no thank you
Live in a small isolated town.

Gonna be absolute hell for me to find a way to safely and responsibly dispose of this. My best option is to drop it at best buy recycling next time I drive 4 hours to a major city.

Really annoyed at the "solution" to the problem.
 
what kind of customer service is this, for the US? Not only no refund, but leave the recycling to the local authorities?

I've liked Anker in the past, but going forward - no thank you

I had one of the recalled power banks and was notified by Amazon. However, I threw mine out months ago because I heard a high pitched whistling sound from it. I bought a replacement and moved on as I didn't feel like going through their customer support. Now, even though they know they sold me a faulty product, they're not going to make me whole because I already disposed of their faulty good. Such absolute crap.
 
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Amazon let me know that one of the Anker batteries I bought back in 2015? just had a recall. I remember the battery. I used it heavily for 5? years and then recycled it when I upgraded. IMO a refund would have been better accepted.

It is a pain to recycle batteries even here in Northern CA - most places stop accepting them now... (Home Depot).

I've got a ton of Anker batteries in my possession and I usually have positive thoughts to the brand... The few times I had a problem, the company was quick to replace and/or offer a refund.

Minus that one I got in 2015, I don't have any of the ones being recalled. :/
 
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Anker is overpriced junk
I miss their giveaways and $20 phone chargers they used to be known for (where most of my Anker purchases were). Now everything is way too expensive.

I can't believe people are paying $50-$80 for tiny little 10,000 mAh batteries these days.

I do like their C1000 and C300 batteries - I think that's where their focus is now.
 
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The serial numbers on the Anker A1263 batteries I have are nearly impossible to read (matte black on matte black) unless I can get just the right angle of light, and even then the plastic is scuffed just enough to make them hard to make out.
Try taking a photo of the serial number. It has worked for me for other products

Yep. Zooming in and taking a picture with my phone camera works pretty well for me.
 
Haven’t considered Anker since the Eufy situation. Thanks for giving me another reason to avoid them, macrumors.
 
The way I see it, it is good that they are such a well known brand so that there *is* a recall. You’re reading about it now, and it was picked up on by many other news outlets. If the “same” product from some other random brand has a defect you are likely never going to hear about it.
I only buy external lithium-ion batteries directly from major retailers (e.g. not a third party seller) or from brands that have a history of recalling defective products. I also expect them to sell thousands or tens of thousands of the particular model I buy and have a significant presence in the US.

This gives me confidence that the company is willing to report that a product is defective if needed.

For example, I believe that if I buy a product in-store from a major US retailer (or from their website, but not from a third-party seller), that the retailer is theoretically liable for any product defects. So, they should have an incentive to recall defective products, and I'm likely to hear of such recalls from sites such as this, or directly from them if I link my purchase to my account.

There's a very small set of retailers, or third-party sellers/brands that I'm comfortable buying external batteries from. I gift them to family members so that they are less likely to buy batteries from less reputable sources.
 
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Popular accessory maker Anker this month launched two separate recalls for its power banks, some of which may be a fire risk.

anker-power-bank-recall.jpg

The first recall affects Anker PowerCore 10000 Power Banks sold between June 1, 2016 and December 31, 2022 in the United States. Anker says that these power banks have a "potential issue" with the battery inside, which can lead to overheating, melting of plastic components, smoke, and fire hazards.

Affected power banks should have the A1263 model number on the bottom of the device, but Anker has a website for checking the serial number. Anker is offering customers who have a faulty PowerCore 10000 a $30 gift card for the Anker website or a free 10K Anker Power Bank replacement. More information is available on the recall page.

Anker's second recall, which is worldwide, is for the following devices:
  • Anker Power Bank (10K, 22.5W) -- Model A1257
  • Anker Power Bank (20,000mAh, 22.5W, Built-In USB-C Cable) -- Model A1647
  • Anker MagGo Power Bank (10,000mAh, 7.5W) -- Model A1652
  • Anker Zolo Power Bank (20K, 30W, Built-In USB-C and Lightning Cable) -- Model A1681
  • Anker Zolo Power Bank (20K, 30W, Built-In USB-C Cable) -- Model A1689
Anker says that it is launching a global voluntary recall because it discovered a potential defect with batteries sourced from one of its vendors. Anker says that the "likelihood of malfunction is considered minimal," but it is recalling the devices "out of an abundance of caution."

There isn't a lot of information about the problem in the announcement on Anker's U.S. website, but Anker's Chinese site says that the battery cells could contain impurities or foreign particles, leading to short circuits, overheating, smoke, and fire.

Some of the battery cells may have metal particles that can lead to short circuits, while others are not properly insulated. Some units were also exposed to extreme heat or mechanical shock during manufacturing, increasing risk.

Customers who may have an impacted Anker power bank can check the serial number or submit proof of purchase through the online recall form.

Anker is not offering refunds in the United States, but affected users can get a free replacement product or a gift card to use on the Anker website. Anker customers who purchased a device in China are eligible for a full refund, an upgrade exchange, or a gift card for the original purchase price plus 50 yuan.

On its Chinese site, Anker says that it is working with its suppliers to set up new oversight and testing protocols to prevent future issues.

For all power banks that are part of the recalls, Anker suggests that customers dispose of them at municipal household hazardous waste facilities.

Article Link: PSA: Anker Recalls Multiple Power Banks Due to Fire Risk
Is this applicable worldwide or US only?
 
I've lost interest in powerbanks after some of the fires in overhead bins on airplanes. There are enough power outlets around that I can stay charged and just bring a charger with me
 
Is it a coincidence that Chinese airlines have banned power banks from their planes recently?
I believe that is going to eventually happen with all airlines. they've been deemed unsafe in checked luggage for years, so why allow them on board at all
 
I’ve had real issues with Anker power banks lately. The first one I had the USB-C port didn’t work when Apple released the iPhone 15 that fall. Now the most recent one I have (that is part of this recall) stops charging my iPhone at essentially 80%
because the iPhone gets too hot. (Sans case.) Soured totally on their power banks.
 
I believe that is going to eventually happen with all airlines. they've been deemed unsafe in checked luggage for years, so why allow them on board at all
Only times I’ve relied on one is on long train journeys where I’m not certain of having access to a plug socket, and very long days away from home. The latter is less of a concern nowadays because I can charge from my iPad in emergencies.
 
Disappointing to hear about this. Was going to buy one of the affected models around two months back but luckily finally went with another brand. Very happy that I did not buy the Anker power bank.
 
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Competitors may be better but there is chance they often source the actual battery from same supplier(s). Easy enough to swap out when a tiny phone recharger with a chance of fire.
However media constantly tell us that your electric car couldn’t possibly catch on fire 🤔
 
I’ve had real issues with Anker power banks lately. The first one I had the USB-C port didn’t work when Apple released the iPhone 15 that fall. Now the most recent one I have (that is part of this recall) stops charging my iPhone at essentially 80%
because the iPhone gets too hot. (Sans case.) Soured totally on their power banks.
Heat due to charging in the iPhone has nothing to do with the used powerbank, though. That's Apples ill adapted charging algorithms.
 
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