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bbeagle

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Oct 19, 2010
3,562
3,054
Buffalo, NY
I've heard that the Apple Watch charger magnet works, but seems weaker than is implied in Apple's videos.

Is it just weaker in the sport, or is it also weaker in the Apple Watch? I'd imagine that the Stainless Steel would make the magnet hold more than a plastic back. Is there any difference?
 
Make sure that you idon'thave plastic covering the charging side of the charger. That reduces its strength. I noticed and removed mine, but it's hard to see at first!
 
It is a pretty weak magnet even in the Apple Watch.

Thanks - I was hoping to hear that the magnet was better on the SS version. I'm hoping people saying it's weak haven't removed the sticker on the magnet yet. I'll see when I get mine.
 
I was surprised by how week the magnet is. If you lift the Apple Watch from the charger cable in a quick motion the Apple Watch will lift off the charger cable. It also rotates very easily which is a little annoying.
 
Yeah, it's not like the Mac magsafe, which perhaps we'd expected. But the size of it probably precludes that. The Mac magsafe is about 10% the size of the charger.

I have to be careful also to not lift the charger by the watch or vice-versa. It's made to keep it in place on the watch. Not to hold its weight or the weight of the watch.
 
Make sure that you idon'thave plastic covering the charging side of the charger. That reduces its strength. I noticed and removed mine, but it's hard to see at first!

I ran into the same problem before removing the plastic but sadly there wasn't enough magnetism still. It felt like it was barely hanging on.
 
I've now owned and used both the sport and watch version of the charger. The watch version is much nicer and IMHO sticks better. I don't know if it is because the magnets are stronger or if it is the weight but with the sport it never felt like it seated quite right.
 
I wonder if the watch will have trouble staying on some docks...

I find that the magnet is quite week and am also concerned that many of the docks being designed will have problems.

I like the Fuz dock http://fuzdesigns.com/products/fuz-dock-for-apple-watch but think that this design will not work as the watch is going to be too heavy to hold it's own weight.

What do others think? Can your magnet hold the weight of your watch?
 
This watch does have trouble staying put while charging. They need a better charger. The magnet is like that of an alphabet magnet on a fridge. Always falling off.
 
I wonder if the watch will have trouble staying on some docks...

I bought the Elevation Lab NightStand that Apple is selling in their store, and haven't had any trouble with my 42mm sport with sport band or leather loop staying in place on the dock.
 
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