Belkin Debuts Qi2 Wireless Chargers, Thunderbolt 4 Hub and More

[MacRumors]

Apple accessory maker Belkin today introduced several new products that are available now or coming in the future, including two Qi2 wireless chargers, a Thunderbolt 4 hub, wall chargers, and more.

The BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with Qi2 and the BoostCharge Convertible Qi2 Wireless Pad to Stand will both feature the newest Qi wireless charging specification. With Qi2, Apple's iPhones that support the protocol will be able to charge at up to 15W without the need for Apple's specific MagSafe charging equipment.

Qi2 allows accessory makers to make more affordable wireless charging hardware because there is no need to license technology from Apple. Apple plans to support Qi2 in future iPhones, but it is not yet clear how the technology will work with existing iPhones. The 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad will be able to charge an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods, plus it is designed to be compact so that it can be used for traveling. The Wireless Pad to Stand is convertible and also easy to fold up and take on the go.

Belkin's BoostCharge Pro 140W 4-Port GaN Wall Charger has three USB-C ports and a USB-A port, allowing it to charge a MacBook Pro, iPhone, and iPad at once with the power split between the ports.

The 25W Hybrid Wall Charger and 5K Power Bank is wall charger that also serves as a power bank so that users can charge from a wall socket or from the built-in battery.

Belkin today also introduced a new Connect 5-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 Hub that is equipped with four Thunderbolt 4 ports and a USB-A port. It supports 40Gb/s speeds for data transfer, and it works with two monitors. Up to six devices can be daisy chained, and 96W power delivery is available.

Belkin's 3-in-1 Qi2 Charging Pad is set to be available later this year, while the Wireless Pad to Stand will be available in the first quarter of 2024. The Hybrid Wall Charger and Power Bank will also be available later this year, while the 140W 4-Port Wall Charger and 5-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 Hub can be purchased starting today.

Article Link: Belkin Debuts Qi2 Wireless Chargers, Thunderbolt 4 Hub and More

 

[tripsync]

Who has a setup like this? 🤮

Yeah sure let me bend over and turn the device around every time I want to plug/unplug my device

 

[zeezun]

esr is better

 

[jz0309]

Will those stop working after a year or so like in the article yesterday?
Never liked Belkin, will never buy any of their products

 

[bunty]

Is it just me or is the application shown (AE?) on the monitors not running on the MacBook on the desk?

 

[indychris]

Perfect timing with yesterday's report that the earlier models are all failing now! LOL

Planned obsolescence? Of course THEY are going to say no!

 

[ignatius345]

What is this weird setup in the last photo where they have two M1 iMacs side by side but one keyboard/mouse? This is what happens when you put art directors in charge

 

[blodyholy]

Was juuuuust thinking the same. Good timing 🤔

Doh! Forgot to quote others who also noticed yesterday’s article.

 

[zachz]

Is it just me or is the application shown (AE?) on the monitors not running on the MacBook on the desk?

The screens on all of the photos look like extremely bad photoshop attempts, similar to the comp sci course my high school offered for grade 10 where one of the projects was to photoshop something

 

[zachz]

What is this weird setup in the last photo where they have two M1 iMacs side by side but one keyboard/mouse? This is what happens when you put art directors in charge

Maybe they're an unreleased M1 iMac-esque monitor Belkin got early access to, looks like they're brushed aluminum! /s

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Coincidence that they feature an iPhone plugged into a Thunderbolt dock?

Anywho, I’m sure these will be of use to someone. That 140w four-plug charger does scare me a little, though…

 

[macduke]

Remember, this is the same company that refused to push a serious security update to their WeMo plugs that could compromise your entire network that were just a couple years old at the time, and also the same company that there was a report about yesterday where their chargers just stop working. STOP BUYING BELKIN CRAP. We shouldn't be supporting bad companies like this.

 

[iFishishh]

Will those stop working after a year or so like in the article yesterday?
Never liked Belkin, will never buy any of their products

Cheaply made products that tend to break

 

[LightProtector]

Apple plans to support Qi2 in future iPhones, but it is not yet clear how the technology will work with existing iPhones.

I want to just point out that Qi2 is said to be supported in the iPhone 15. "Future" just means 15 and newer.

 

[paradox00]

I thought Qi2 was further away. Good to see it's starting to roll out.

 

[Pakaku]

View attachment 2253316
Who has a setup like this? 🤮

Yeah sure let me bend over and turn the device around every time I want to plug/unplug my device

It's good exercise, keeps you flexible

 

[fwmireault]

I want to just point out that Qi2 is said to be supported in the iPhone 15. "Future" just means 15 and newer.

I think they meant how Qi2 will work for iPhone 12 to 14, as they all support 15W MagSafe but not the Qi2 standard. What happens if you put a iPhone 14 on a Qi2 charger?

 

[zach-coleman]

I thought Qi2 had a different magnet set incompatible with MagSafe? They said that on The Verge when it was announced. Also, does the Apple Watch charger support fast charging?

 

[hoodafoo]

Does the middle one warm your coffee?

 

[FelixDerKater]

That folding charging stand actually looks useful.

 

[fatTribble]

I’m surprised that the new standard only supports 15w.
Did I read that right?
That seems like it would be pretty slow compared to current wired fast charging.

 

[Anonymous123]

Gold iPad Pro? Is that new?

 

[autumnmike]

The thunderbolt 4 hub actually looks like what I want. And at 200 bucks it’s “reasonable” compared what else if out there. Everything else out there has hdmi, sd card readers, usb-a, aka a bunch of stuff I don’t need. I just want a thunder bolt splitter. Does anyone else know who sells just that??

 

[zach-coleman]

I’m surprised that the new standard only supports 15w.
Did I read that right?
That seems like it would be pretty slow compared to current wired fast charging.

You get extreme diminishing returns with wattage. 27 barely goes faster than 20, and 20 is only marginally faster than 12.5. 12.5 is significantly faster than 5. I wish they at least did 20 but considering it was based on MagSafe (capped to 15w) I wasn’t holding my breath.

 

[Tagbert]

What is this weird setup in the last photo where they have two M1 iMacs side by side but one keyboard/mouse? This is what happens when you put art directors in charge

Universal Control lets you control two Macs with one set of accessories and switch between them.