Nokia Portable USB Charger is a beautifully designed curio

Some gadgets sometimes slip through the cracks, but not hopefully Nokia’s Universal Portable USB Charger. For roughly US$15-20 (based on the price of Nokia’s other external chargers), we’ll soon be able to pickup this enticingly cute portable 1720mAh charger from Nokia. It weighs 65g, measures 57x57mm and looks like a real life charging icon, made into a very attractive charger.

Nokia’s new charger, the DC-18 has a battery icon on the front that mimics the power status of most smartphones. Tug on the microUSB on top and the cable pulls out, ready for charging. We’re not sure yet how the batter pack will charge itself, but we’re predicting an adaptor for the microUSB itself that plugs into the wall.

The charger has been recommended for use with the Nokia’s newly-announced Asha 501. On the product page, Nokia recommends the DC-18 for both the 501 and the dual-sim model. But, the microUSB adapter will work on practically any phone, which is a godsend for those poor Z10 owners who’re suffering with their fairly dismal 1800mAh battery.

There’s no release date but the DC-18 is going to have a strange global footprint, as clicking on “local pages” (a section on the site that shows where the battery will be available), shows that this adorable charger will only be released in certain parts of Asia, UAE, Africa and Europe. Countries such as South Africa and America will have to import these beauties.