Can I use a USB C charger block with an iPhone 11?

Yes, you can safely charge an iPhone 11 with a USB-C charger block. You’ll just need a USB-C to Lightning cable to connect it to the phone.

And yes, you can get faster charging this way. For the best results, use a reputable USB-C charger that supports USB Power Delivery (PD), along with a good-quality USB-C-to-Lightning cable.

So, in short, the AI information you received is correct. The fact that an Anker Amazon listing doesn't specifically mention the iPhone 11 doesn't necessarily mean it isn't compatible. Anker's USB-C chargers and USB-C-to-Lightning cables are compatible with the iPhone 11.

I would guess for a trip like Patagonia, I would want to have a dependable portable battery with me as well, especially if the iPhone will be used for navigation, photos, or emergency communication.

For your combination of an iPhone 11 and 2024 iPad mini, I would suggest the Anker Nano Power Bank (10K, 30W, Built-In USB-C Cable), model A1259. It has a 10,000 mAh battery, weighs about 7.6 ounces, and provides up to 30W USB-C charging.

The iPhone 11 supports Apple's USB Power Delivery fast charging. With the Anker and a USB-C-to-Lightning cable, you should be able to get roughly 50% charge in about 30 minutes under good conditions. A complete 0–100% charge will take considerably longer because the iPhone deliberately slows charging as the battery gets close to full; I would allow approximately 1¾–2 hours for a full charge. Actual time will vary somewhat depending on battery condition, temperature, and whether you're using the phone while it is charging.

One important point: I would not expect a 10,000 mAh power bank to completely recharge both a dead iPhone 11 and a dead iPad mini to 100%. There are unavoidable conversion losses, and the iPad's battery is considerably larger than the iPhone's. I would consider the 10K primarily an emergency reserve for keeping the iPhone operating, with additional power available for the iPad. If you'll be away from electrical power for several days, I'd seriously consider a 20,000 mAh Anker power bank despite the additional weight.

Which anker charger would charge both my iPad mini 2024 and my iPhone 11?

all of them really, sure if it's a 5watt it slower then if it's say 20watt

there is no upper limit in terms of watt really

Watt  is like how fast your car can drive, but the speed limit is how fast your car do drive

the iphone draw as much current as it was build to use when charging, the fact that a charger can provide a lot more just means it's not having its full capacitive used

Yes, weight is definitely worth considering if this is primarily something you’ll carry while traveling and hiking. One important point about the Anker Zolo 20K 30W, though: because it is still a 20,000 mAh battery, it isn’t dramatically lighter simply because it has fewer connections. The Zolo 20K 30W with the built-in USB-C cable weighs about 318 grams (11.2 oz). It also actually provides a built-in USB-C cable, a USB-C port, and a USB-A port, so you can charge more than one device, although you won’t get the full 30W output when charging multiple devices simultaneously.

If your main concern is reducing what you have to carry on the trail, I would consider whether you really need 20,000 mAh. The 30W rating tells you how quickly the power bank can deliver power; the 20,000 mAh rating is what largely determines how much stored energy—and therefore battery weight—you’re carrying. Moving to a 10,000 mAh power bank could make a much more noticeable difference in weight while still providing roughly two additional phone charges, depending upon the phone and actual charging conditions.

Regarding the Nano appearing completely dead when you received it: I wouldn’t consider that alone evidence that it will be unreliable. Lithium-ion power banks can arrive with a very low state of charge, particularly if they have been sitting in inventory for some time. I would connect it to a good USB-C PD charger, allow it to charge for several hours, and then test it. If it charges normally, retains its charge, and can subsequently charge your phone normally, I wouldn’t be particularly concerned. On the other hand, if it repeatedly refuses to charge, loses a substantial amount of charge while sitting unused, becomes unusually hot, or behaves erratically, I would exchange it rather than trust it while traveling.

And you are correct about airline baggage. Power banks are considered spare lithium-ion batteries and, under current FAA rules, they cannot be placed in checked baggage. They must travel with you in your carry-on baggage. A typical 20,000 mAh power bank is below the FAA's 100 Wh limit for ordinary passenger carry-on use, although an individual airline can impose additional restrictions.

Given how you plan to use it, I would put more emphasis on finding the capacity you actually need than simply choosing between two different 20K models. If you rarely need several full phone recharges between opportunities to plug in, I think a good 10K USB-C PD power bank may be a much better travel companion. You would give up some reserve capacity, but you'd actually notice the reduction in your bag or backpack.

vesta822 wrote:

“...A typical 20,000 mAh power bank is below the FAA's 100 Wh limit for ordinary passenger carry-on use”: Are you saying that I could use the 20K or the 10K model on the airplane (assuming they don’t have restrictions)—if “Yes”?

Of course, I have 3 internal flights with Argentine/Chilean airlines, so I’ll have to check that.

I believe you answered your own question. Your best bet is to check with each airline you plan on traveling with and ask them what their regulations are regarding with lithium batteries.

..by the way how long do these chargers generally last?

I assume you mean how long can you expect to continue to use this product. If so, I, nor anyone else, can guarantee that. One clue is to review the manufacturer's warranty. Anker is known to make dependable products, but there is, at least, four factors that should be taken into consideration:

1. Potential manufacturing defects,
2. How long a product has sat on the selling vendor's shelf,
3. The environments that you use it in, and finally
4. How you use (or abuse) it.