Even owners of the best Android phones can admit that Apple has found a winner with MagSafe. I’ve tested the best Android smartphones from Samsung, Google, and Motorola over the past few years, and compatibility with magnetic accessories is the one thing I miss when using devices like the Google Pixel Fold. Fortunately, Qi2 is here to bring faster wireless charging and a Magnetic Power Profile (MPP) to future Android phones, providing a MagSafe-compatible alternative. Qi2-enabled accessories are already emerging, like the ESR Qi2 Wireless Car Charger.
I’ve been using it for a few weeks now, and it’s an exciting preview of what the future holds for Qi2 for Android. And now, thanks to MagSafe sticker rings and cases, you can Can You can use this car charger with Android phones, but it’s not a perfect experience. However, when phones start charging with Qi2 support (likely later this year), the ESR Qi2 Wireless Car Charger will quickly become a go-to option for Android users on the go.
ESR Qi2 Wireless Car Charger
If you can’t wait to get your hands on a Qi2-enabled Android phone, this wireless car charger from ESR now features Qi2 connectivity, offering 15W charging speeds and a magnetic mount. For now, you’ll need a MagSafe adapter or case to make your Android phone compatible. However, ESR’s Qi2 wireless car charger is set to quickly become popular as Qi2 continues to roll out.
- Includes two mounting options.
- Future-proof with Qi2 support, magnetic connection, and 15W wireless charging
- Works with most Android phones that have a MagSafe sticker adapter or case
- There are no Android phones that support Qi2 built-in yet.
- The air vent clip is long, and may not fit securely on cars with short slats.
- Does not include a 12V car power adapter.
Pricing and Availability
Next generation technology at affordable prices
ESR’s Qi2 Wireless Car Charger is now available at several online retailers, including Amazon and ESR’s official website. The charger retails for around $40 at full price, depending on where you buy it. At the time of publication, you can buy ESR’s Qi2 Wireless Car Charger on Amazon for just $30.
This charger comes in one color: black. The charger will work natively with iPhones and future Qi2 Android phones, but existing Android phones will need a case or MagSafe adapter to be compatible. In the box, you get a car charger, an air vent mount, a dashboard mount, and a USB-A to USB-C cable.
What are the good features of the ESR Qi2 Wireless Car Charger?
It offers solid build quality for the price and includes versatile mounting hardware.
Overall, the build quality of the ESR Qi2 Wireless Car Charger and the mounting options are very impressive for the price. The plastic construction feels cheaper than the metal, but not by much. In the box, you get two options for mounting this wireless charger in your car: a dashboard mount and an air vent mount. There are pros and cons to using each.
Using the ESR Qi2 Wireless Car Charger with an A/C mount will block airflow a bit, but it puts your phone in a more useful spot — near the center console. The other mount uses a strong adhesive to stay securely on the dashboard, but it had trouble sticking to the faux leather texture of my car’s dashboard and may not stay in place in warmer climates.
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Keep your phone active while traveling.
I like that you get two mounting options included because at least one of them is more likely to work with your car. I preferred the AC mount, but I noticed that the clip is a little too long. While this adds security, it may make this method of mounting the ESR Qi2 Wireless Car Charger incompatible with cars with short air vents. But again, the two options add versatility, and I feel confident in saying that this car charger should fit most — if not all — cars.
Qi2 support will be a big feature later this year and beyond.
Of course, Qi2 is the future of wireless charging on Android, and support for this standard is a key feature of purchasing the ESR Qi2 wireless car charger now. If you’re looking for a magnetic wireless car charger today, purchasing a Qi2-enabled product will save you the hassle of buying a new charger when the next generation of Android phones comes out.
Google looks set to usher in the future of Qi2 on Android with the Pixel 9 series later this year, and more OEMs are quickly joining in. Aside from MPP support, the presence of a Qi2 wireless charger also ensures fast charging at 15W. That’s more than most current Qi chargers, which typically come in 7.5W or 10W versions.
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What’s bad about the ESR Qi2 wireless car charger?
For Android users, it’s not the perfect solution – at least not yet.
The biggest reason Android owners might not buy the ESR Qi2 Wireless Car Charger is that it’s not the fault of the product or ESR. Android phones don’t ship with Qi2 support yet, so using this charger with existing devices is a less than ideal experience. Many of the best Android phone cases actually include a MagSafe ring, opening up compatibility with accessories like this. For example, I tested the wireless car charger with a Google Pixel 7a with a Peak Design Everyday Case (which is MagSafe compatible).
It worked to some extent. For the most part, the ESR Qi2 Wireless Car Charger was able to charge my Pixel 7a and keep it securely mounted to my air conditioning vents. However, there were times when it would cut out. Problems arise if your phone’s wireless charging coils don’t fit perfectly with the MagSafe ring sticker or case you’re using.
If you have other MagSafe chargers that work with your Android phone and the magnetic alignment is correct, it’s safe to assume that the ESR Qi2 Wireless Car Charger will work as well. However, if you’re not completely sure, it’s best to wait until official Qi2 support is added to Android phones.
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Some corners were cut to reach a low price point.
Since the ESR Qi2 Wireless Car Charger is under $50, there are a few things I can forgive. For starters, the all-plastic body is noticeably worse than similar chargers that feature a mix of plastic and aluminum, like the Belkin MagSafe Wireless Car Charger. However, this charger costs about three times as much as this ESR charger. That’s why I can overlook the body: This charger is about as premium as plastic can get.
Unfortunately, I can’t forgive the lack of a 12V car power adapter. Not everyone has a USB-A port built into their car, and having to buy a separate power adapter can be a hassle and significantly increase the overall price of the ESR Qi2 Wireless Car Charger.
Should you buy the ESR Qi2 Wireless Car Charger?
It depends, but maybe not yet.
It’s been over 16 years since the original Qi wireless charging standard was released to the public, which is what makes the Qi2 spec so exciting. With its magnetic power profile, Android phones that include Qi2 support will have a MagSafe alternative built in for the first time. While we thought there was a chance Samsung would add Qi2 support to the Galaxy S24 series, it hasn’t done so, and there’s still not a single Qi2 Android phone on the market.
While you can use the ESR Qi2 Wireless Charger with Android phones using a MagSafe adapter or case, you probably shouldn’t. Alignment can be tricky, charging can be interrupted, and bad third-party magnets can cause your phone to fly off your dashboard. If you’re one of the few iPhone users who reads Android Police, you won’t encounter any major drawbacks when using this ESR charger with your smartphone.
For all other Android users, this is a product worth considering when purchasing a new Qi2-enabled device. Qi2-enabled Android phones are a matter of when, not if, and the ESR Qi2 wireless car charger heralds the future.
ESR Qi2 Wireless Car Charger
If you have MagSafe-enabled Android phones with a case or a ring, you might be able to justify buying the ESR Qi2 Wireless Car Charger. It’s a nice accessory, but most Android users are better off waiting for native Qi2 support.
