Satechi’s latest charger, the USB-C Magnetic Wireless Charging Cable, is modeled after Apple’s MagSafe charger and has a built-in magnet that allows it to connect to Apple’s iPhone 12 devices, but is not ‘MagSafe’ and can charge Apple devices at max. 7.5W instead of 15W.
Since it’s a Qi-based charger, it works with AirPods and Android smartphones, and for Android smartphones that allow fast charging, it can charge up to 15W.
Design-wise, Satechi’s Magnetic Wireless Charging Cable looks similar to a MagSafe charger, but it’s made from a space gray plastic with a white front, which isn’t the same material as the MagSafe charger. The back of the magnetic wireless charging cable is slightly domed when attached to an iPhone, so it doesn’t quite flush and can wobble a bit, but I didn’t find it to be a big issue because the rounded shape is very slight. .
Like a MagSafe charger, magnetic wireless charging simply attaches to the magnet ring on one of Apple’s iPhone-12 models or a MagSafe compatible case. There’s a 1.5m cord with a USB-C connector, but the charging cable doesn’t come with a power adapter and you must supply an 18W+ charger.
By default, the magnetic wireless charging cable can charge earlier iPhones because it’s a Qi charger, but you won’t get the same magnetic alignment unless you buy a secondary Satechi accessory, the Magnetic Sticker, which is available for the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11. 12 models. The magnetic sticker comes with a series of instructions that tell you where to place it on an iPhone 11 or an iPhone 12.
You peel off the guide, stick it to the appropriate phone, and then attach the magnet with glue. Once connected, the magnet you add to an iPhone is able to adhere to Satechi’s charger with automatic alignment over the built-in wireless charging coil. The magnet is thin and works well, making it a useful accessory for the iPhone 11, and it can also be used to add magnets to non-MagSafe iPhone 12 cases to allow those cases to work with magnetic wireless charging cables.
The magnet sticker is also compatible with Apple’s MagSafe charger, although non-iPhone 12 models will still be limited to slower non-MagSafe charging speeds. I found the sticker useful for setting up my iPhone 11 Pro Max to charge with my MagSafe Duo and standard MagSafe charger, so it might be worth picking up even if you don’t plan on getting a cable from Satechi. I couldn’t use it with Belkin’s new 3-in-1 MagSafe charger because the adhesive doesn’t stay in place when the iPhone is held upright to charge, but it worked just fine. Note that charging with the sticker using Apple’s ‘MagSafe’ charger is limited to 7.5W.
I think the most logical use case for a magnetic wireless charging cable is an iPhone 11 model and magnetic sticker. At $29.99 + $9.99 for the sticker, it’s reasonably priced, and the magnetic attachment makes it easier to use than standard Qi-based wireless chargers where you might have to move it around to get the alignment right.
The magnetic wireless charging cable is also fine for the iPhone 12 model, and I’ve found that it connects in the right place and charges at the advertised 7.5W speed, but it’s not as fast as MagSafe. It has the same design as the MagSafe charger and is only $10 cheaper, so iPhone 12 owners would probably be better served paying the extra $10 for faster 15W MagSafe charging (or 12W if you have an iPhone 12 mini).
There are already other “magnetic” chargers like this Satechi charger on the market and there is a lot of potential for confusion Chargers that aren’t official MagSafe chargers (Apple requires Made for iPhone certification for MagSafe) aren’t going to charge the iPhone 12 model at 15W even though they attach magnetically to the iPhone, so those who want to make sure They should double check the labeling and advertised charging speed to get the fastest charge.
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As I said above, I like the magnetic wireless charging cable paired with the magnetic sticker as an easy wireless charging solution for the iPhone– 11 model, but it’s not an accessory I’d recommend for the iPhone 12 model because for $10 more, you Get twice the charging speed with the $39 ‘MagSafe’ charger.
That said, if you want something that’s more affordable and don’t mind slower charging speeds, the Magnetic Wireless Charging Cable works like any Qi-based charger and has the convenience of an easy-to-attach magnet.
how to buy
The magnetic wireless charging cable can be purchased from the Satechi website for $29.99. The magnetic sticker is available from Satechi for $9.99.
Note: Satechi provided MacRumors with a magnetic wireless charging cable and magnetic sticker for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.
