Exactly. If you're just going to use the wireless to charge overnight then slow seems more than sufficient. If you want to fast charge, $40 can get you an Anker / RavPower / other name brand USB-C with PD charger and a USB-C -> Lightning cable (directly from Apple) which will charge the iPhone at a far higher rate than 7.5W. Seems like the optimal solution if you're not content with just using the 5W charger that it comes with.
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Belkin vs Mophie wireless charger for iP8/8+/X ?
- Thread starter larzy
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Exactly. If you're just going to use the wireless to charge overnight then slow seems more than sufficient. If you want to fast charge, $40 can get you an Anker / RavPower / other name brand USB-C with PD charger and a USB-C -> Lightning cable (directly from Apple) which will charge the iPhone at a far higher rate than 7.5W. Seems like the optimal solution if you're not content with just using the 5W charger that it comes with.
Hmm, put my phone on the Belkin at 5:00 at 81%, by 5:10 it had gone up a few percent which was fine, so I went about my business. Just came back to it 3 hours later and woke the screen and it was at 91%. Didn't notice if the LED was on or not when I came to it just now but as soon as I woke the screen it started charging again, now it's at 95% already after a few minutes.
Guess I'll have to keep an eye on it. Probably typical Belkin quality...
Guess I'll have to keep an eye on it. Probably typical Belkin quality...
That might just be the nature of QI 1.0 charging (and hence the strong push to higher wattage specs). You're sure the coils are aligned in your anecdote?
Update on the Mophie. It works well. The light isn’t bright enough to disturb me with lights off. Put my phone on it @ 5% last night, woke up with it fully charged. It’s really nice to finally have wireless charging.
Apple Store. Store pickup varies. However, shipped to your home seems quick. This assumes USA.
I'm with you. I was JUST in the AppleStore looking at both of these chargers, and was wondering why they are $60. So I looked online and got even more confused. There are a TON on Amazon, etc, but lots of mixed reviews for which ones are "fast" charging. Which I assume (?) is the reason why the Mophie and Belkin are $60 vs the Anker (for instance) which is $13.
Let me see if I can help. t this point, there is no fast wireless charging with the 8/8 Plus. This will require a firmware upgrade to be released at a later date. Therese is speculation that it will happen with 11.1, but this is only speculation.
The Mophie and Belkin, sold by Apple will support fast charging at 7.5W, when the firmware is released. This is why you are paying the added cost for these chargers.
I would also suggest being very cautious about purchasing other chargers, no matter what their claim might be. Cheaper chargers might work fine, once the firmware is released, but it then opens the door for Apple to be “off the hook”. If your new phone gets damaged by another charger that is neither an Apple product, nor endorsed (sold) by Apple, then in theory, Apple could withhold warrantee coverage.
People spend anywhere from $699 to something approaching $1000 and then fret about spending an extra $30. Makes no sense to me.
The Mophie and Belkin, sold by Apple will support fast charging at 7.5W, when the firmware is released. This is why you are paying the added cost for these chargers.
I would also suggest being very cautious about purchasing other chargers, no matter what their claim might be. Cheaper chargers might work fine, once the firmware is released, but it then opens the door for Apple to be “off the hook”. If your new phone gets damaged by another charger that is neither an Apple product, nor endorsed (sold) by Apple, then in theory, Apple could withhold warrantee coverage.
People spend anywhere from $699 to something approaching $1000 and then fret about spending an extra $30. Makes no sense to me.
Yes, the phone was centered nicely. Had they not been aligned, it would not have started to charge at all I'd imagine.
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Is 7.5W really considered fast charging? I guess I'm curious, is 'fast charging' an actual defined term for charging at a minimum wattage, or is it just a loosely applied term for everything greater than 5W?
I ordered the Mophie using the Apple Store app (in-Store pickup). I could have just as easily had it shipped to me.
It charges with the Apple leather case. The power adapter is modest in size. I would have liked the adapter block to be smaller, but it was by no means a major issue. The light is very discrete. I would have preferred white, but I like the compact size.
It charges with the Apple leather case. The power adapter is modest in size. I would have liked the adapter block to be smaller, but it was by no means a major issue. The light is very discrete. I would have preferred white, but I like the compact size.
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I have been using the Belkin on my nightstand, which is really aesthetically pleasing since its hidden and white (blends in with my white furniture), I just bought this dock for my office and I have to admit, I am really liking it! It’s easier to put on and off the dock unlike the Belkin which you have to line up and center. It claims to support fast wireless charging also. The only thing that might be an issue is that light on the bottom of the dock might bother you when sleeping. Perfect for the office though.
HiGoing Fast Wireless Charger [Upgraded Version] iPhone X 8/8 Plus Galaxy Note 8 S8 Charging Stand https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07125FLFR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_sfzYzb39HFFBF
HiGoing Fast Wireless Charger [Upgraded Version] iPhone X 8/8 Plus Galaxy Note 8 S8 Charging Stand https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07125FLFR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_sfzYzb39HFFBF
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
No I don't think so, they're an indicator that the phone is placed correctly - if the phone isn't put down right then the light won't light, if something is blocking the charge (i.e something between the phone and the charger) then the light goes Red.
The benefit of the Belkin over the Mophie in this case it that with the Belkin you can lay the phone down over the light (although it's a really very dim light so I don't bother).
I bought both to try them out with the idea that I'd return the one I like less. The "winner" will wind up on my nightstand, next to my Apple Watch charger. Ultimately, I'll probably keep it there and get the Airpower mat for my desk once Apple releases it.
Here are my observations of the two, so far:
Here are my observations of the two, so far:
- Aesthetics: The color of the Belkin is nice since it is white and kind of matches my watch charger. However, I think overall the Mophie has a nicer look to it, even though it is black (or perhaps because of it).
- Size: Everything about the Mophie is smaller (base and charging brick), as mentioned elsewhere in this thread. I'm not sure if this is good or bad, however. It's true the power brick on the Belkin is much bigger, but for my application, it doesn't really matter since I have the space in my power outlet strip. Neither base is big enough to allow me to push the Home button without tipping the iPhone. In practice, neither seems harder than the other to use, whether placing the iPhone down or picking it back up.
- Weight: Subjectively, the Mophie feels heavier/denser. Not sure if that matters, but it feels more substantial and the Belkin feels light and almost a little "cheap" by comparison. Why would one be heavier than the other? Could Belkin have put more of the guts of this in the power brick and does that explain why it's bigger than Mophie's?
- Function: I used the Mophie last night and it seemed to work out fine. However, today I put the phone on it and after about a minute, it made the charging "ding" sound again, suggesting it momentarily disconnected from the iPhone. It reminded me of a problem I had with the Mophie Charge Force case I tried last year, where it would repeatedly do that, many times over the course of an hour or two. Now that I have heard it on the Mophie base, I'm a little concerned about it. It could have been that I had my iPhone slightly off-center on the base, however. It's only happened that one time.
- Lights: The Mophie has a soft white light that is on the front underside of the base, and it's hidden under the iPhone. I did not see it at all while sleeping last night. The Belkin's green light is going to be visible, but it is dim and may prove to be a non-issue. I am going to see how it works out tonight while sleeping, but either way I prefer the location of the light on the Mophie. I don't see any easy way of turning off the light on either unit. I suppose one could tape over the light (ie electrical tape or other) but for me it would take too much away from the aesthetics.
- Material: Both seem to have a soft plastic top that would protect my iPhone 8 Plus from scratches.
- Sound: Both cause the iPhone to make an identical sound: the usual "ding" that one would hear when plugging an iPhone into a charger.
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I have two Mophie chargers. One for the office. One for home. When the 8 Plus is in the charger, I don’t worry sbout pressing the home button. I have no problem placing the phone on the charger. I like the compact size and the fact that the outlet plug is relatively easy to place. I would have preferred it in white. I also liked the unobtrusive light.
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First, there's no magnetic "pull". The ring is just rubber that does a good job of clinging to the glass. If you put it on a horizontal surface and lay the phone on top, it's pretty solid.
Second, the units don't make a "ding" sound, it's the phone. Both units make no sound.
Thanks for your comments. I did say the pull was subjective so you can choose to ignore that comment if you don't like it. It just "felt" like a pull to me. And of course I'm putting the bases on horizontal surfaces. You aren't trying to wall-mount them, are you?
So as to not mislead anyone, I'll delete that section of my comments.
As for the "ding" sound, I'm sorry you didn't understand what I meant: I was saying the iPhone makes the same "ding" sound on each unit (in other words, one base does not cause the iPhone to make a different charging sound than the other).
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I might return my Belkin as it’s not easy to place on the pad on the right spot, especially in the middle of the night when it’s dark. I’d much prefer a dock, so I ordered this in white:
Samsung Qi Certified Fast Charge Wireless Charging Stand W/ AFC Wall Charger (US Version With Warranty), White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BMDQ8FY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_pEeZzbEWYETK3
I have this dock in my office but it’s black (I want white for bedroom) and the lights would be too bright. I really like it
HiGoing Fast Wireless Charger [Upgraded Version] iPhone X 8/8 Plus Galaxy Note 8 S8 Charging Stand https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07125FLFR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_SGeZzbYRWPKEQ
Samsung Qi Certified Fast Charge Wireless Charging Stand W/ AFC Wall Charger (US Version With Warranty), White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BMDQ8FY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_pEeZzbEWYETK3
I have this dock in my office but it’s black (I want white for bedroom) and the lights would be too bright. I really like it
HiGoing Fast Wireless Charger [Upgraded Version] iPhone X 8/8 Plus Galaxy Note 8 S8 Charging Stand https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07125FLFR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_SGeZzbYRWPKEQ
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
I have to disagree as I’m having the opposite experience.
From dead center - I’ve got a good couple of inches in each direction that I can push my 8+ and have it still charge.
I’d imagine that would only seem more generous with an 8.
Wonder why yours seems that way.
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That's too bad and I'm sorry to hear it. I haven't had that experience with either the Belkin or Mophie. Both have more "play" in terms of the location than I thought they would.
Best of luck with your new wireless charging solution - I hope this next one works out better for you!