Notebookcheck Logo

Torras MiniMag Power Bank, Ostand Power Bank and Ostand Case in review

Cases with a stand are practical but inflexible. Torras offers a 360° rotatable solution with its Ostand cases and also integrates this innovative concept into a MagSafe Power Bank. We took a closer look at three of the manufacturer's products.

Sometimes it would be handy if your iPhone or Samsung phone had a built-in stand so that you could simply put it down and watch a movie on a long train journey or a plane. Fortunately, there are numerous cases from third-party manufacturers that compensate for this flaw.

However, these are not always as flexible as one would wish: The stand is usually rigidly attached, and only allows one to place the phone to one side and sometimes even only in one orientation, for example horizontally.

Torras wants to change this and has found a solution that not only looks elegant but can also be really practical: A round stand (shaped like an "O", hence the name Ostand), which can be rotated 360° and folded out continuously so that you can lock the cell phone in any position.

Products with Ostand are available from the manufacturer for Samsung's Galaxy S24 series and the Galaxy S23 Ultra as well as for current iPhone models. The manufacturer sent us the following devices for testing:

  • The Ostand 360° Spin Case in black for the iPhone 15
  • The Ostand Power Bank, which is ideal for all current iPhone models thanks to MagSafe, but can also power other devices via a USB-C port if required
  • The MiniMag Power Bank, which has to make do without Ostand, but is much slimmer and also compatible with MagSafe

Unboxing

The sleeves and power banks from Torras come in very slim packaging, some of which are fitted with hangers for retail use. They are printed with environmentally friendly soy ink. The packaging hardly stands out from the mass of electronic products. Plastic film is also used, whereas other manufacturers already use natural-based wrapping material.

In the case of the Ostand cover, it is noted that the manufacturer has offset the resulting CO2 emissions through payments to a wind energy project. All three products were manufactured in China.

 

Ostand 360° Spin Case

Let's first take a closer look at the Ostand 360° Spin cover. It is designed for the iPhone 14 (also fits the iPhone 13), iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max as well as for the current Samsung flagship phones. The case is available in clear plastic or, as in our case, in black, with a matt translucent back so that you can see the actual color of the phone.

The case looks sturdy and neatly finished, the iPhone 15 can be inserted easily and fits perfectly in the case. The screen is protected by the protruding edges, as are the camera lenses on the back. Only the connection between the hinge and the case looks a little unclean from the inside, but you can't see this as soon as the iPhone is in the case.

The ring-shaped stand on the back is the real highlight of the case. Unlike previous models (and the Ostand Power Bank), the ring can no longer be moved within the round holder rail, but instead, the hinge to which the stand is attached is now rotated. This engages audibly in four positions so that the cell phone can be set up in many different positions.

In terms of flexibility, the Ostand really is a great thing. Whether lying or standing and at many angles of inclination: The stand keeps the iPhone 15 very stable in position. You can also move it around easily without the phone tipping over.

The stand is not too thick, which is positive on the one hand because it hardly affects the thickness of the case, but on the other hand, it looks a little fragile at first glance. If you put your mind to it, you can certainly break it off. However, we were able to bend it with medium force without the stand breaking, so there should be no problems in normal use. Although the manufacturer only offers a six-month warranty on its case, it promises that the hinge is designed for at least 10,000 openings, which at 10 openings per day corresponds to almost 3 years.

Thanks to MagSafe compatibility, other MagSafe accessories such as power banks can also be connected through the case. This also worked without any problems in our test. Of course, the magnet can also be used to attach the phone to metal surfaces such as refrigerator doors.

Torras offers the case for just under 36 euros at amazon.de. Directly from the manufacturer, you can get it for just under 40 euros.

Ostand Power Bank

The Ostand Power Bank uses a slightly different concept for the Ostand: This can be rotated 360° within its recess, allowing the Power Bank to be placed in all positions and theoretically even on a corner. When folded, the stand protrudes slightly from the Power Bank, but you can still place it on the table without any problems.

At 10.2 x 7 x 1.16 centimeters, the accessory is compact and relatively light at 131 grams, yet still offers a 5,000 mAh battery. The power bank connects easily to the iPhone via MagSafe and charges wirelessly with up to 7.5 watts. The USB-C port on the underside allows 15 watts of charging, and a suitable 50-centimeter cable is included. When the power bank itself needs power again, it can be charged with up to 18 watts.

The charging status of the Power Bank is displayed via 5 small LEDs on the back. The only button shows the charging status when pressed. There is no need to explicitly switch the power bank on and off; it activates itself automatically when a suitable device is connected or when it is connected to the power supply for charging.

In our test, the additional battery works with both high-end and low-cost smartphones thanks to the Power Delivery standard. Of course, other devices with a USB connection or wireless charging can also be charged without any problems.

The Ostand Power Bank is available from amazon.de for 70 euros. This makes it one of the more expensive models, but it offers the Ostand as added value. Torras also promises a comprehensive safety system that protects against overcharging and overheating.

MiniMag Power Bank

If you can do without the built-in stand and would prefer an even slimmer power bank with MagSafe and a higher charging capacity, you can take a closer look at the MiniMag Power Bank from Torras.

Like the Ostand Power Bank, it is made of ABS plastic, but the thinner model is made of an aluminum alloy, which gives it a very high-quality feel. At 111 grams, it is significantly lighter than its sister model with Ostand and, at just 0.8 millimeters, is also quite thin.

Nevertheless, a 5,000 mAh battery is also installed here, so that the iPhone 15 can be charged around one and a half times. Here too, Torras ensures comprehensive safety measures, allowing you to use the power bank worry-free. The MiniMag also charges wirelessly at 7.5 watts, but only uses half the maximum possible charging power of MagSafe. Up to 18 watts of charging power is possible via cable. This power bank also uses 5 LEDs to indicate the charging status and also has a button for this purpose. When a device is connected, the charging process starts immediately.

The MiniMag also offers a high level of compatibility and charges all connected devices without any problems in our test. The power bank itself is also not sensitive and can be charged by almost any adapter.

Torras charges just under 60 euros for the slim MiniMag Power Bank on amazon.de. This is also a hefty price, especially as other manufacturers often offer a few watts more charging power or larger batteries for less money. In view of the fire hazard of lithium-ion batteries, you should perhaps not only base your decision on the price, but also take into account the safety mechanisms that Torras has installed.

Verdict

In review: Torras MiniMag Power Bank, Ostand Power Bank and Ostand Case. Provided by:
In review: Torras MiniMag Power Bank, Ostand Power Bank and Ostand Case. Provided by:
Torras

Torras is not the cheapest cases and power banks manufacturer on Amazon, but it does offer a few delicacies in terms of design and technology: The round stand is not available in this form on any other cell phone case, it is very flexible and allows the cell phone to be placed in many positions.

The round shape also allows you to hang your phone on a hook and, thanks to MagSafe compatibility, securely attach your iPhone to metal surfaces. The Ostand case has a high-quality finish and also protects the phone with a protruding edge around the display and cameras.

The Ostand Power Bank also has its price, but the integrated round stand is also a clear added value here. In addition, you should not buy power banks too cheaply in order to get the appropriate protection mechanisms. The compact design of the MagSafe-compatible power bank is also impressive. Thanks to the Power Delivery standard, devices other than iPhones can also be charged without any problems.

The MiniMag Power Bank is even thinner and offers slightly more charging power. It is also not quite cheap, but thanks to its aluminum alloy it has a high-quality feel and is only 0.8 millimeters thin.

Overall, the three accessories from Torras impressed us. They may not necessarily be suitable for those on a budget, but they match the feel and look of an expensive high-end cell phone and perform their tasks reliably and with a high level of compatibility in our tests.

Transparency

The present review sample was made available to the author as a loan by the manufacturer or a shop for the purposes of review. The lender had no influence on this review, nor did the manufacturer receive a copy of this review before publication. There was no obligation to publish this review.

static version load dynamic
Loading Comments
Comment on this article
Please share our article, every link counts!
> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > Reviews > Torras MiniMag Power Bank, Ostand Power Bank and Ostand Case in review
Florian Schmitt, 2024-06-21 (Update: 2024-06-21)