Apple Now Selling USB-C Magnetic Charger for Fast Charging Apple Watch Series 7 Models

[MacRumors]

At today's "California Streaming" event, Apple announced a new USB-C Apple Watch charging puck designed specifically with the Series 7 models in mind.

Priced at $29, the Apple Watch Magnetic Fast Charger to USB-C cable can charge an Apple Watch Series 7 33 percent faster than the standard Apple Watch charging puck, reaching an 80 percent charge in 45 minutes.

We wanted to make charging your Apple Watch utterly effortless. And now, it charges up to 33% faster when paired with Apple Watch Series 7, so you can reach 80% charge in about 45 minutes. Simply hold the connector near the back of the watch, where magnets cause it to snap into place automatically. It's a completely sealed system free of exposed contacts. And it's very forgiving, requiring no precise alignment.

To enable the faster charging speeds, the Apple Watch Series 7 has an updated charging architecture inside. The fast charging technology is limited to the Series 7 for this reason.

The new Apple Watch charging puck can be purchased from Apple's website starting today, but the Apple Watch Series 7 models won't be launching until later this fall. When available, the Apple Watch Series 7 will likely ship with the new fast charging cable as it has the same price point as the standard cable.

Article Link: Apple Now Selling USB-C Magnetic Charger for Fast Charging Apple Watch Series 7 Models

 

[JosephAW]

If a short charge can last all night why not have the option to lay the charger on top of the screen while wearing it that way you don’t need to take it off.

 

[DeanL]

Annnnnndddd another cable.

 

[justperry]

As if 33% matters, especially when most people charge their Apple watch at nighttime.

Actually, I bet that the vast majority (>95%) charge their watch at nightime

 

[locovaca]

As if 33% matters, especially when most people charge their Apple watch at nighttime.

Actually, I bet that the vast majority (>95%) charge their watch at nightime

Nope. A lot of us wear our watches for sleep tracking.

 

[randyhudson]

Finally, you can charge your watch with the laptop you bought 5 years ago

 

[RichTF]

As if 33% matters, especially when most people charge their Apple watch at nighttime.

Actually, I bet that the vast majority (>95%) charge their watch at nightime

Sleep tracking is one of my favourite Apple Watch things, has been for a while (using third-party apps before Apple added it officially).

It means doing two charges per day (morning/evening), so this will be very welcome.

 

[Rychiar]

I feel like my apple watch already charges to 80% in 45 mins🤷‍♂️

 

[shellac]

Does anyone know if the existing magsafe duo already supports this?

 

[justperry]

Sleep tracking is one of my favourite Apple Watch things, has been for a while (using third-party apps before Apple added it officially).

It means doing two charges per day (morning/evening), so this will be very welcome.

Welcome yes, but won't make a difference for the majority.

 

[svish]

I feel like my Apple watch charges fast enough. But good to know there are faster options

 

[justperry]

I feel like my apple watch already charges to 80% in 45 mins🤷‍♂️

Same here, it's already fairly fast.

 

[albert421]

wait, the usb c apple watch changer i got before doesnt support faster changing?

 

[yoheywut]

Does anyone know if the existing magsafe duo already supports this?

Exactly what I thought of when I watched the keynote. It would be nice if my $130 pad I got a few months ago wouldn’t be “outdated” haha

 

[_Spinn_]

Faster charging is a nice addition.

 

[B4U]

When mentioning "puck", I was thinking the charging dock. 🤣

Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock - Apple

Apple Store Search Results

www.apple.com

So the faster charging is only from the USB-C version?

 

[gsmornot]

Does anyone know if the existing magsafe duo already supports this?

Doubt it since it has a lightning port vs USB C. I am not upgrading my watch this year but next year when I do I assume I will need an updated Duo as well. (If I want fast charging)

 

[RamGuy]

Does anyone know if the existing magsafe duo already supports this?

I suppose there is no reason why it wouldn't considering the MagSafe Duo is USB-C and works the best with a 20W or 30W Apple USB-C adapters. If you are using the 20W adapter and charge a iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 at the same time as you charge a Apple Watch Series 7 it's going to be slower as there is no way for the 20W adapter to be able to push 15W charging to the phone while going beyond 5W on the watch. But using a 30W adapter it should be fully capable of doing it.

I would love for Apple to provide better details on all of this. And considering the new cable is required for faster charging I suppose the USB-C to Apple Watch charging cable comes in the box? No one will have this cable at hand already so not including it would seem like a huge waste.

As the Series 7 is not up for pre-order anytime soon I suppose we'll get some answers in time before we can put in our pre-orders.

 

[JGIGS]

As if 33% matters, especially when most people charge their Apple watch at nighttime.

Actually, I bet that the vast majority (>95%) charge their watch at nightime

I'm going out on a limb but I think more than 5% wear it at night for sleep tracking or even more so the vibrate alarm function. Much better way to wake up than a noise alarm IMO. Especially if you have a partner who wakes up at a different time.

 

[RamGuy]

Doubt it since it has a lightning port vs USB C. I am not upgrading my watch this year but next year when I do I assume I will need an updated Duo as well. (If I want fast charging)

USB-C PD doesn't require USB-C at the end, it requires USB-C at the adapter. iPhone 12 is capable of 18W USB-C PD fast charging using Lightning on the device by utilising USB-C on the adapter. The MagSafe Duo is recommended to be used using USB-C to Lightning using a Apple 20W or Apple 30W USB-C adapter for the required USB-C PD power states.

There is no reason why it shouldn't be compatible unless there is some actual difference in the Apple Watch magnetic charger point of the equation.

 

[BeatCrazy]

Finally, you can charge your watch with the laptop you bought 5 years ago

Apple's already had a USB-C Watch charger for years now. Although it's a shorter cable (probably suited for laptops, as you inferred), and I suppose doesn't support the new faster charge speeds with Watch 7.

 

[gsmornot]

USB-C PD doesn't require USB-C at the end, it requires USB-C at the adapter. iPhone 12 is capable of 18W USB-C PD fast charging using Lightning on the device by utilising USB-C on the adapter. The MagSafe Duo is recommended to be used using USB-C to Lightning using a Apple 20W or Apple 30W USB-C adapter for the required USB-C PD power states.

There is no reason why it shouldn't be compatible unless there is some actual difference in the Apple Watch magnetic charger point of the equation.

Makes sense.

 

[justperry]

I'm going out on a limb but I think more than 5% wear it at night for sleep tracking or even more so the vibrate alarm function. Much better way to wake up then a noise alarm IMO. Especially if you have a partner who wakes up at a different time.

That was just a figure I made up, I still think though that the majority charges their devices at nighttime including the Apple watch.

I never knew about the vibrating option, thanks for the tip.👍

 

[munpip214]

Does anyone know if the existing magsafe duo already supports this?

Knowing Apple they will release an updated model after the 7 is released

 

[JGIGS]

That was just a figure I made up, I still think though that the majority charges their devices at nighttime including the Apple watch.

I never knew about the vibrating option, thanks for the tip.👍

Oh ya definitely give it a go. Honestly the best features of the Apple watch are the most simple ones IMO. Notifications, Apple pay, vibration alarm, fitness, checking the weather and maybe the odd message reply with voice to text but even for that and most other things I'm pulling my phone out.