In the fast-paced urban landscapes of China, where smartphones are essential for everything from mobile payments to food delivery, a dying phone battery is more than an inconvenience – it’s a crisis.

Fortunately, a simple yet revolutionary solution has emerged – rental power bank kiosks.

These brightly lit stations, found in nearly every corner of Chinese cities, have become an indispensable part of daily life, ensuring that no one is ever left stranded with a dead phone.

Walking through any major city, be it Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen or Chengdu, one cannot miss the countless power bank rental kiosks stationed in shopping malls, subway stations, restaurants and even small convenience stores.

These kiosks, operated by brands like Monster Charge, Energy Monster and Xiaodian, offer a quick and hassle-free way to recharge smartphones on the go.

The concept is seamless: scan a QR code with WeChat or Alipay, unlock a power bank and you are good to go.

Once you're done using it, simply return it to any kiosk – no need to go back to the one you rented it from.

This ‘borrow anywhere, return anywhere’ model has made the service incredibly convenient, eliminating the need to carry bulky personal power banks.

There is no need for any deposit payment or complicated registration, just a quick scan and the power bank is yours.

The rental charge is surprisingly reasonable too.

Most companies charge 1.5 to 3 yuan per hour, with daily caps (usually around 30 yuan) to prevent excessive charges.

Some services even offer the first 30 minutes for free, making it an attractive option for quick top-ups.

Game-changer for travellers

This system is a game-changer for travellers, food delivery riders and even casual shoppers.

No more anxiety about your phone dying mid-transaction, mid-navigation, or on call.

With thousands of kiosks across the country, users are never more than a few steps away from a charging solution.

This is especially useful for tourists navigating unfamiliar cities, food delivery riders relying on their phones for orders and business travellers needing constant connectivity.

Many locals have stopped carrying their own power banks altogether, trusting the rental system to keep their phones alive.

While the system is highly efficient, some kiosks may occasionally run out of power banks in high-traffic areas, or have faulty units that do not charge properly.

However, the sheer number of available kiosks minimises these inconveniences.

Honestly, the deposit-free model removes any friction, making it as easy as grabbing a bottle of water from a vending machine.

The ubiquity of power bank rentals reflects China’s broader trend of shared economy services including bike-sharing, umbrella rentals and even shared sleeping pods in airports.

Tech-enabled solutions

China seems to have mastered the art of solving everyday problems with smart and tech-enabled solutions.

Next time you are in China and your phone battery dips into the red, don’t panic.

Just look around and chances are that a power bank kiosk is within sight, ready to rescue you.

Small but brilliant conveniences that make you wonder ‘Why doesn’t every country have this?’

— BERNAMA

Kisho Kumari Sucedaram is a journalist with BERNAMA.