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What have you ended up using for charging

  • Belkin MagSafe Cable (15w)

    Votes: 4 13.3%
  • Apple MagSafe cable (15w)

    Votes: 14 46.7%
  • Apple MagSafe Battery Extender (7.5w unplugged + 15w plugged-in)

    Votes: 3 10.0%
  • Apple MagSafe cable + 3rd party Stand that takes it in (15w)

    Votes: 4 13.3%
  • Belkin 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 Charging stand (15w)

    Votes: 10 33.3%
  • MagSafe Compatible stands/chargers (7.5w)

    Votes: 3 10.0%
  • MagSafe Compatible cable (7.5w)

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • MagSafe Compatible battery extender (7.5w)

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    30

Ryan1524

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Apr 9, 2003
2,093
1,424
Canada GTA
As I'm starting this MagSafe journey, curious what people found on what works best. What are the pros/cons for daily use. These all support a different lifestyle in my mind, and curious what you all thought, and what you've ended up doing.

Some options:

For simple charging around the house (living room/bedroom):
  • Belkin MagSafe cable (longer + braided cable)
  • Apple MagSafe Battery extender (used as both extender + charger)

For desk charging:
  • Apple MagSafe cable + 3rd party Stand that takes it in
  • Belkin 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 charging stand
  • 7.5w MagSafe Compatible stands/chargers

Some questions:
  • Does the 7.5w charging feel slow and restricting?
  • Does having a wire and using while charging feel restricting?
  • Do you prefer to use the phone untethered?
  • Do you tend to keep your phone topped up at all times?
  • Do you tend to want a top-up mid-day if you travel/commute a lot?
 
I use a Belkin MagSafe puck at home, with 6’ cable. I *think* the power adapter that came with it is 20W. I generally top up whenever needed, keeping it between 20-80%. I do occasionally charge it to 100% if I know I’ll be out all day and need the full juice. The cord is long enough to not hinder usage while charging. Obviously I do not charge overnight.

In my car I use an ESR MagSafe mount and charger. Again topping up if necessary, keeping my 20-80 guideline.

Seldomly, I will use my MacBook charging brick and usb-c to lightning cable to charge my phone if I need a really quick charge before running out the house.

I used the above mentioned chargers with the 20-80% guideline with my 13 Pro Max for a whole year, and it was sold to my friend still retaining 100% battery health. With my 14 Pro Max, I may or may not adhere to that guideline as strictly and see what happens. I usually do keep my phones for multiple years and the 13 to 14 upgrade was an exception. 80% battery (or less) when I leave in the morning will usually last me a full day before I’m back home or in my car to top up as needed.
 
I use a Belkin MagSafe puck at home, with 6’ cable. I *think* the power adapter that came with it is 20W. I generally top up whenever needed, keeping it between 20-80%. I do occasionally charge it to 100% if I know I’ll be out all day and need the full juice. The cord is long enough to not hinder usage while charging. Obviously I do not charge overnight.

In my car I use an ESR MagSafe mount and charger. Again topping up if necessary, keeping my 20-80 guideline.

Seldomly, I will use my MacBook charging brick and usb-c to lightning cable to charge my phone if I need a really quick charge before running out the house.

I used the above mentioned chargers with the 20-80% guideline with my 13 Pro Max for a whole year, and it was sold to my friend still retaining 100% battery health. With my 14 Pro Max, I may or may not adhere to that guideline as strictly and see what happens. I usually do keep my phones for multiple years and the 13 to 14 upgrade was an exception. 80% battery (or less) when I leave in the morning will usually last me a full day before I’m back home or in my car to top up as needed.
I was quite concern with using magsafe charging as i am afraid that it would hurt the battery life due to the heat. But it sound like the 20-80 guideline works quite well with the magsafe.
 
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satechi has their charger on sale for $15. I use their usb-c hubs with my Mac’s, found they are one of the best and most affordable.
 
Normally I'd agree, but Belkin's is MFI certified. Do you trust MFI accessories more than generic 3rd party?
 
Normally I'd agree, but Belkin's is MFI certified. Do you trust MFI accessories more than generic 3rd party?
Belkin's charging stands like the 2 in 1 and 3 in 1 are about as good as it gets from what I've seen. Incidentally, Amazon has a great sale on the 2 in 1 for $76 right now:

 
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I bought this last week: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CG8P8X5?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Seems to work well. The reviews are right that the AirPods charger gets warm. Mine doesn't get as hot as others claim. All-in-all, I think its great and at a reasonable price.

I had the Belkin 3-1 but returned it because the Apple Watch could rotate sideways. Also, I like that the MagSafe puck is adjustable so I can change the viewing angle. Only downside is its 7.5w. However, I mainly use it at night so speed doesn't matter. If I need a quick charge, I will use a USB charger.

Other caveat is, it requires a Gen 1-6 apple watch charger. Not a USB-C.
 
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Since Belkin is sold directly through the Apple Store I‘d consider them to be decently good, yes. I still prefer Apple‘s own stuff tbh.
years ago maybe, but nowadays not so much. Before it was good but now I don't trust them. Only apple`s own genuine buy.
 
I’m trying to decide what to do now that my iPhone 14 Pro doesn’t fit on my Mophie wireless charger because of the camera bump. Even the Apple Duo charger doesn’t fit the 14 Pro.

I want a lie down wireless charger to put on my bedside, either no MagSafe or heavy enough it doesn’t pick up when I lift my phone. I have considered an Apple MagSafe and command strips but I’ve had bad experiences with products like that leaving a mess on the surface after they have been there a long time.

Anybody have ideas?
 
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I’m trying to decide what to do now that my iPhone 14 Pro doesn’t fit on my Mophie wireless charger because of the camera bump. Even the Apple Duo charger doesn’t fit the 14 Pro.

I want a lie down wireless charger to put on my bedside, either no MagSafe or heavy enough it doesn’t pick up when I lift my phone. I have considered an Apple MagSafe and command strips but I’ve had bad experiences with products like that leaving a mess on the surface after they have been there a long time.

Anybody have ideas?
Excuse my ignorance - are there fitting issues because the charger is too thin and the camera is too tall?
 
Excuse my ignorance - are there fitting issues because the charger is too thin and the camera is too tall?
It’s because the camera bump is too big, it stretches too far down the back of the phone.

So you get this sort of issue on the Duo and similar things on most chargers:

14BA94F4-F478-40A8-A14C-1B77B271312B.jpeg
 
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It’s because the camera bump is too big, it stretches too far down the back of the phone.

So you get this sort of issue on the Duo and similar things on most chargers:

View attachment 2098862
This might sound dumb because I'm going by images in my head (I don't have the accessories you mentioned).

How about a MagSafe case that sits flush with the camera island? Or some kind of cylindrical thing that could extend the magnet?
 
This might sound dumb because I'm going by images in my head (I don't have the accessories you mentioned).

How about a MagSafe case that sits flush with the camera island? Or some kind of cylindrical thing that could extend the magnet?
I see where you’re going with that. That would make the case too heavy and probably too thick to work with wireless charging.

Extending the magnet. Maybe. Rather inelegant solution though, and I’m not aware of such a product.

The issue with the Duo is particularly frustrating because it’s a first party product. Apple lists it as compatible with the 14 Pro on their website which is clearly ********. There are a number of third party chargers which have removed the 14 Pro from their compatible list.
 
The issue with the Duo is particularly frustrating because it’s a first party product. Apple lists it as compatible with the 14 Pro on their website which is clearly ********. There are a number of third party chargers which have removed the 14 Pro from their compatible list.
Given that the 13 Pro has a similar camera island, that one is going to have fitting issues, too.

The only solution I can think of would be to cannibalize a MagSafe case and cut out just enough to cover the MagSafe charging base.
 
years ago maybe, but nowadays not so much. Before it was good but now I don't trust them. Only apple`s own genuine buy.
Why don’t you trust them?

Belkin is a brand of Foxconn, the manufacturer of iPhone. They hold special agreements with Apple to create first-to-market third party accessories (like the very first certified MagSafe charging accessories).

Apple trusts them, so I’m curious why you wouldn’t?
 
Why don’t you trust them?

Belkin is a brand of Foxconn, the manufacturer of iPhone. They hold special agreements with Apple to create first-to-market third party accessories (like the very first certified MagSafe charging accessories).

Apple trusts them, so I’m curious why you wouldn’t?
Foxconn made their items of course known. But frankly speaking when asking questions if "A" product is compatible with their say iPhone 14 pro or ProMax. Not getting the real solution to the question asked leads many to believe they don't test compatibility with apple genuine products. Years ago they were good to know days they are not as trustworthy. That's the problem, they use apple and don't have to prove themselves just because apple ok them. That alone is scary. ( don't forget there are products Belkin sells ONLY on apple stores,) there are many items that are NOT listed on apple stores that are only sold in retail stores and amazon etc. Those are the ones that should be wary of.
 
Foxconn made their items of course known. But frankly speaking when asking questions if "A" product is compatible with their say iPhone 14 pro or ProMax. Not getting the real solution to the question asked leads many to believe they don't test compatibility with apple genuine products. Years ago they were good to know days they are not as trustworthy. That's the problem, they use apple and don't have to prove themselves just because apple ok them. That alone is scary. ( don't forget there are products Belkin sells ONLY on apple stores,) there are many items that are NOT listed on apple stores that are only sold in retail stores and amazon etc. Those are the ones that should be wary of.
So to clarify what you're saying, Belkin is not trustworthy anymore because they've become looser now that they have brand recognition?
 
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