In the field of portable chargers, “iWALK” is a brand that offers products combining compactness with convenience. Because they are commonly seen on Amazon and at consumer electronics retailers, many people likely consider them to be a global brand.
However, what country’s company operates the brand, when it entered the market, and what features it possesses are actually not very well known.
Here, based on publicly available trademark information, official company histories, and the latest product recall information, we break down what kind of brand iWALK is.
What you will learn in this article!
This article has been turned into a video ↓
Author of this article: "Mr. Gadget"
- Studied under Masatoshi Ono, a million-selling singer who has performed at Kohaku Uta Gassen
- Experience supervising for Ameba Choice and the web media Picky's
- Individual member of the Word of Mouth Marketing Association
Nice to meet you!
What country is iWALK from?
Key takeaway from this section!
iWALK is a Chinese company
iWALK is a brand operated by U2O GLOBAL CO., LTD. (厦门广开电子有限公司), which has its headquarters and factory in Xiamen, China.
Since its founding in 2003, the company has operated primarily in mobile power-related products. In addition to China, it has a design office in South Korea and a branch office in the United States, with manufacturing taking place mainly within China.
Ms. GadgetI thought it was an American brand!
Mr. GadgetIt looks that way because the exterior and packaging have a global design, but both its corporate registration and manufacturing are based in China.
The history of iWALK
- 2003: Founded (established in Xiamen with technology investment from South Korea)
- 2004: Introduced the concept of “mobile power” in China
- 2005: Launched the first-generation mobile power series, the “i-UP series”
- 2008: Launched the “iWALK” brand
- 2009: Released China’s first Apple-certified mobile power source / Registered US trademark
- 2011: Established US branch office
- 2012: Sales partners in 41 countries
- 2013: Expanded to over 40 countries worldwide, won various awards
- 2015: Partnered with China Mobile
- 2019: Ranked in the top 3 in Amazon’s portable charger category
- 2023: Ranked #1 in Amazon’s portable charger category
- 2024: Won iF & Red Dot design awards, featured in Forbes
- May 29, 2025: US CPSC announced a recall of 27,500 units of “iWALK Magnetic Wireless Power Banks” due to fire and burn hazards
iWALK was established in 2003 as U2O GLOBAL CO., LTD. in Xiamen, Fujian Province, China. From its inception, the company focused on developing power sources for mobile devices, launching China’s first mobile power series, “i-UP,” in 2005. In 2008, it began full-scale operations under the brand name iWALK.
Ms. GadgetIs it true that they made the “world’s first” direct-plug-in battery?
Mr. GadgetThat is the manufacturer’s own claim, and there are no official records to verify it.
However, it is certain that they were commercializing direct-plug-in types as early as the 2000s.
Later, in 2009, the company announced Apple-certified models and registered its US trademark around the same time. In 2011, it established a US branch, and the following year expanded its sales partners to 41 countries worldwide, increasing its presence in the international market. In 2013, it won international design and industry awards, rapidly expanding its name recognition.
In recent years, it entered the top 3 in Amazon’s portable charger category in 2019 and captured the #1 spot in the same category in 2023. Furthermore, it has won global design awards such as the iF and Red Dot awards, earning praise for both its technological capabilities and design.
2025 US recall
However, on May 29, 2025, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a recall of 27,500 units of iWALK Magnetic Wireless Power Banks due to fire and burn hazards. This event marked a crucial turning point for the brand regarding the improvement of safety measures.
Ms. GadgetWhat kind of incidents led to a recall?
Mr. GadgetThere were 15 reports of fire incidents, including 10 reports of burn injuries.
Ms. GadgetWhoa, that’s super serious.
The affected product models were also released in Japan. They are still being sold currently ↓
Ms. GadgetIs this really okay?
Mr. GadgetWhether they avoided a recall because products with the target serial numbers weren’t sold in Japan, or simply because no accidents have happened in Japan yet…
The truth remains unclear.
Features of iWALK
Key takeaway from this section!
Mr. GadgetBrands that endure have a consistent product philosophy and market strategy. In iWALK’s case, its core is “portability and seamless integration.”
Product features
iWALK’s product lineup is broadly classified into three categories.
- Direct-plug-in type (LinkMe / LinkPod series)
Compact batteries that connect directly to a smartphone’s charging port. Because they can be used without cables, they reduce the luggage you need to carry when going out. - Built-in cable type (Scorpion series)
Features built-in Lightning or USB-C cables, supporting multiple device standards. - Wireless magnetic attachment type
Charges by magnetically attaching to the back of a smartphone, similar to MagSafe compatibility. While highly convenient, the product involved in the recent recall also falls into this category.
Brand strategy features
- International trademark protection: Registered primarily under Class 9 (electronic devices) in the US, EU, and major Asian countries.
- Multi-location operations: Manufacturing in China, design in South Korea, and sales bases also in the US.
- Balancing design and functionality: Product design that achieves both miniaturization and high output.
- Leveraging awards: Utilizing design awards and trade show accolades to build brand trust.
Ms. GadgetWasn’t there a medical device with the same name, iWALK?
Mr. GadgetYes, there is. The US-based company iWALKFree uses it for prosthetic leg products, but because the category and country are different, they coexist as separate trademarks.
Summary
iWALK is a mobile accessory brand operated by U2O GLOBAL CO., LTD. from Xiamen, China, which has maintained a presence in the global market for over 20 years since 2003.
It has earned high praise for product designs specialized in portability, such as direct-plug-in and built-in cable types, and boasts immense popularity on Amazon and at international exhibitions.
On the other hand, the 2025 US recall served as an event that highlighted the critical importance of safety management to the world. Its future trajectory will focus heavily on ensuring quality and safety, alongside design, functionality, and sales strategies.
Ms. GadgetI personally wouldn’t really recommend them.
Thank you for reading until the end!
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This article was originally written in Japanese and has been translated.
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