although it’s been over two years since the launch of the iphone 12 line with magsafe technology, the first 15w magsafe car charger just came out, and was introduced by belkin in early november.
The Boost Charge Pro Wireless Car Charger with MagSafe is the first magnetic car charger able to charge MagSafe iPhones at up to 15W. There were prior in-car magnetic solutions for MagSafe iPhones, but they were limited to a maximum of 7.5W.
Reading: Magsafe car charger review
Available for $100, the boost charge pro car charger features an oval-shaped magsafe surface that attaches to the back of an iphone, along with a silver back with a rubber vent clip that attaches to the ventilation of any car. it looks just like your standard magsafe charger and has a clean, compact design.
The rubber vent clip is well designed and fits securely on a vent, with a strong enough hold that it won’t move, vibrate or otherwise shift when driving, something That can be a problem with some vent mount accessories.
See also: 2022 UPPAbaby KNOX Convertible Car Seat Review – CarseatBlog
The MagSafe magnet adheres securely to the iPhone, and it too stays in place while you drive. If you’re going over super rocky terrain or are in an accident, there’s a chance it would detach, but in day to day usage, it feels like it will stay put and I didn’t run into any issues with magnet strength during testing.
A cable attaches to the back of the Belkin Car Charger, and the USB-C connector plugs into a 12V car adapter that in turn plugs into a standard car plug. The USB-C cable can be used without the adapter if you have a vehicle that has USB-C ports, but it does not detach from the charger itself.
The Belkin Car Charger cannot be used as a mount with the cable detached for that reason, and it also prevents another accessory from being used. Some in-car devices, such as the Spotify Car Thing, include an extra port as most people may want to use more than one accessory at a time rather than picking and choosing. The Car Thing has a pair of USB-A ports, one for powering the device itself and one for a second accessory, for example.
that’s not an option on the belkin car charger, so if the 12v car plug is all you have, you’ll just be able to use the car charger. That might not be a concern for most people who have cars with multiple ports available, but I thought I’d mention it for those who may be used to accessories with more than one port.
The cable can be unwieldy as there are no clips to hold it into place and route it down, though Belkin does include a cable cord for wrapping up excess cable. I’d still recommend some other kind of cable management clip for a more streamlined look and to keep the cable out of the way.
See also: Buying Guide for White Headlights
an iphone can be connected to the belkin car charger in landscape or portrait mode, with landscape mode being useful for applications such as maps. The faster charging speed is convenient when your battery is low and you need to charge it between short trips. In my tests, the charger charged at the same rate as standard magsafe chargers, maxing out at 15W, although temperature and other factors can impact charging speed.
MagSafe is, of course, super convenient. You can pop your phone on the stand when you get in the car and quickly grab it when you get out, no unplugging of cables or hassle. It’s simple to use, secure, and the charging speeds are noticeably faster than Qi-based chargers.
end result
The biggest downside to the boost charge pro car charger is the price. $100 is expensive for a single device charger, though as we’ve learned, magsafe accessories are expensive, partly due to license fees apple charges third-party manufacturers.
Other than the price, the belkin car charger has some drawbacks. there’s a strong connection between the iphone and the charger that holds it in place, and it also sticks tightly to the vent, which is even more important. it doesn’t budge and stays in place while you drive, plus it’s the fastest wireless charging you can get in a vehicle right now.
how to buy
The boost charge pro wireless car charger with magsafe can be purchased from the apple store or the belkin website for $99.95.
See also: Chevron down icon design element
