While it’s been more than two years since the iPhone 12 lineup launched with MagSafe technology, the first 15W MagSafe car charger has just come out, with Belkin launching it in early November.
The Boost Charge Pro Wireless Car Charger with MagSafe is the first magnetic car charger capable of charging iPhones with MagSafe up to 15W. MagSafe previously had in-car magnetic solutions for iPhones, but they were limited to a maximum of 7.5W.
Available for $100, the Boost Charge Pro car charger has an oval MagSafe surface that attaches to the back of an iPhone, along with a rubber vent clip with a silver back that attaches to any car vent. It looks like your standard ‘MagSafe’ charger and has a clean and compact design.
The rubber vent clip is well designed and fits securely over a vent, with a strong enough attachment that it doesn’t shake, vibrate or otherwise shift around while driving, something that can be a problem with some vent mount accessories. .
The ‘MagSafe’ magnet adheres securely to the iPhone and stays in place while you’re driving. If you’re going over very rocky terrain or have an accident, it’s likely to detach, but in everyday use, it seems to hold up 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 plugs into a standard car plug. The USB-C cable can be used without an adapter if you have a car that has a USB-C port, but it is not disconnected from the charger.
The Belkin Car Charger cannot be used as a mount with a detached cable for that reason, and it also prevents other accessories from being used. Some in-car devices, like the Spotify Car Thing, include an extra port because most people might want to use more than one accessory at a time instead of picking and choosing. The Car Thing has a pair of USB-A ports, one for powering a device and a second for an accessory, for example.
This is not an option on the Belkin car charger, so if you have a 12V car plug you will only be able to use the car charger. This isn’t a concern for most people who have cars with multiple ports available, but I thought I’d mention it for those who might be used to accessories with multiple ports.
There are no clips to hold the cable in place and route it, although Belkin includes a cable cord for wrapping additional cables. I would still recommend some other type of cable management clip for a more streamlined look and to keep cables out of the way
An iPhone can connect to the Belkin Car Charger in either landscape or portrait mode, with landscape mode useful for apps like Maps. The fast charging speed is handy if your battery is low and you need to power up between short trips. In my tests, the charger charged at the same rate as standard MagSafe chargers, at a maximum of 15W, although temperature and other factors can affect charging speed.
‘MagSafe’ is definitely super convenient. You can pop your phone into the stand when you get into the car and quickly grab it when you get out, no plugging or messing with cables. It’s easy to use, secure and the charging speed is noticeably faster than Qi-based chargers.
bottom line
The biggest downside to the Boost Charge Pro car charger is the price tag. $100 is expensive for a single device charger, though we’ve learned that MagSafe’s accessories are pricey, in part because of the licensing fees Apple charges third-party manufacturers.
Besides the price, Belkin’s car charger has some downsides. There’s a solid connection between the iPhone and the charger that keeps it in place, and it also adheres firmly to the vent, which is more important. It doesn’t move and stays in place while you’re driving, plus it’s the fastest wire-free charging you can get in a car at the moment.
How to buy
The Boost Charge Pro Wireless Car Charger with MagSafe can be purchased at Apple Stores or the Belkin website for $99.95.
