Review: Scosche's Magic Mount Pro Charge Refuels iPhone in Your Car or on Your Desk

[MacRumors]

I've never been a fan of magnetized iPhone mounts in cars because they require special iPhone cases that stick to the base of the mount to keep the smartphone in place. Since I enjoy using Apple's own leather and silicone cases, I haven't had the urge to ditch a case for one that would be compatible with a car mount.

Although Scosche's Magic Mount Pro Charge still requires a few unruly magnetic accessories to use, it's come close to convincing me that I need to make a few concessions so that I can get the advantages of hands-free iPhone use in my car. The Magic Mount also doubles as a Qi-enabled charging platform, so it will work with any compatible smartphone or case.

The Magic Mount comes with two options for installation: a suction cup with an extended reach (for the upper dash board or lower windshield) and a shorter arm with a sticky pad (for the infotainment center area). The initial unboxing and setup for the Magic Mount is a bit overwhelming, with nearly a dozen different parts and accessories making up the process: a metal case mount, metal smartphone mount, wire clip cable organizers, suction mount, sticky mount, charging pad, 12V car power adapter, micro-USB to USB charging cable, and even cleaning wipe to prepare the intended area for the mount.

The charging pad itself attaches easily to the two mount attachments with a ball and screw "tension collar" system. You then can attach the micro-USB cable into the charging pad, and feed the cord into the car adapter to enable wireless charging when you place your phone on the pad. As a note, Scosche also provided me with a separate fast car charger, which features both a USB-C and USB-A port to charge two devices simultaneously. I found both this car charger and the charger included with the Magic Mount (which has just a single USB-A connection) to be reliable throughout my testing period.

Attaching the mounts to an iPhone or case (left, middle), and the finished product (right)​

For the metal mounts, you have to choose between placing them directly on your smartphone or on a case. For obvious reasons I didn't want to attach a large black metal pad to the back of my iPhone X (Scosche does promise this is completely safe), so I opted for the case option. This includes placing two smaller metal rectangles on the back of a case of your choosing, which will help magnetize the iPhone to the charging pad and enable Qi charging through compatible cases (which are pretty much any thin iPhone cases, including all of Apple's first party leather and silicone options).

The installation process for the metal strips was easy enough, since Scosche provides a helpful paper guide with arrows that point you where to place the strips depending on the size of your iPhone or Android phone. Once you have the alignment right, you remove a film on the back of the measurement tool, press hard to attach the metal pieces, and when it's removed your case will have two new pads permanently attached to the back. The process appears largely the same for attaching directly to an iPhone.


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Article Link: Review: Scosche's Magic Mount Pro Charge Refuels iPhone in Your Car or on Your Desk

 

[Jeff5i]

So with the official apple leather case on my iPhone XS max I can place these magnets under my case (in between the phone and case) and get a magnetic hold and QI charging?

 

[earthTOmitchel]

So with the official apple leather case on my iPhone XS max I can place these magnets under my case (in between the phone and case) and get a magnetic hold and QI charging?

I didn't even think about trying that... but it's definitely not the way that Scosche intends for you to attach the magnets. With the magnets inside, I'm not sure if your iPhone would fit exactly the same, and it's risking scratches on the back of your iPhone.

 

[dingle19]

So with the official apple leather case on my iPhone XS max I can place these magnets under my case (in between the phone and case) and get a magnetic hold and QI charging?

yea fitment of the case would be the most problematic

 

[deeddawg]

I've been doing something like this with my iphone7 for a couple years now, using an aftermarket Qi case and matching magnetic mount / charging pad.

The convenience factor has been enormous. Get in the car, set your phone on the mount, and off you go -- with your phone charging. No messing with a cable.

Nice to see Scosche doing this now.

 

[ender21]

Are you sure those adhesive metal pieces are actually magnets? On every other magnet mount I've owned, including one Qi mount, the pieces that affix to the phone or case are simply thin pieces of metal with adhesive; not actual magnets.

 

[backontwo]

I used a magnetic car mount for a couple of weeks until I tried to use my SkyWalk type apps. Magnetic north kept moving wherever I pointed my phone and then it dawned on me about the magnets on the back. Removed them and my apps started working correctly again. Granted, I’ve only tried one brand of magnetic mount, but I would guess they would all create this issue. Maybe it’s not important to other people though.

 

[deeddawg]

Granted, I’ve only tried one brand of magnetic mount

The metal bits Scosche uses are just thin steel bits on the phone side. What's pictured looks exactly like what they use with their other magnetic mounts, and (as an owner of such) the part on the phone isn't magnetic.

Also -- my iphone7 nilkin Qi charging magnet mount case *does* have magnets in it and I've not had any issues with either the Compass or Skyview apps.

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

So with the official apple leather case on my iPhone XS max I can place these magnets under my case (in between the phone and case) and get a magnetic hold and QI charging?

I didn't even think about trying that... but it's definitely not the way that Scosche intends for you to attach the magnets. With the magnets inside, I'm not sure if your iPhone would fit exactly the same, and it's risking scratches on the back of your iPhone.

You could get a back "screen" protector to put that down first. I know for Spigen's more 'generic' metal plates, they include a piece of adhesive film to put on your phone or on the plates.

Are you sure those adhesive metal pieces are actually magnets? On every other magnet mount I've owned, including one Qi mount, the pieces that affix to the phone or case are simply thin pieces of metal with adhesive; not actual magnets.

I was curious as well; nearly every other system has the metal bits on the phone and the magnets in the mount.

 

[rjtyork]

I’ve been using this mount for a few months now. Definitely my favorite way to charge my phone in my car. I drive a 2012 Prius C and the mount sticks perfectly on my dash in the perfect position for viewing and also pointing the AC at it when it’s getting hot while I’m driving Lyft and Uber. I recommend this mount to anyone. The steel pieces on the back of my case make the phone look different but it’s not a big issue to me.

 

[az431]

Putting the magnets on the phone rather than on the mount makes zero sense.

 

[Civil Engineer]

I have an older Schosche magnetic mount that I use wit an iPhone 7 and a leather Sena case. I just put the metal piece (it is not a magnet) between the phone and the case and it works great. No scratches, no visible bump, nothing. The magnet is in the mounting plate that attaches to your vehicle.

 

[RickNY]

Why wouldn’t someone just use a non-Qi ProClip mount with lightning cable dock and call it a day?

 

[Mw0103]

So with the official apple leather case on my iPhone XS max I can place these magnets under my case (in between the phone and case) and get a magnetic hold and QI charging?

Yes. I have two of these (my car and my wife’s). That’s exactly what I did.

 

[Vlad.E.]

Some really bad information in the first paragraph. Shame on you!!

Take it down or rewrite it with correct information.

 

[tooloud10]

Some really bad information in the first paragraph. Shame on you!!

Take it down or rewrite it with correct information.

Yeah, it’s amazing that anyone doing a review of a car magnetic mount seems to know so little about them.

For that matter, I’m surprised at all the other nonsense in the comments here:

1) The magnet is on the base. The plate attached to the phone is just plain metal.

2) You don’t need a special case to use one of these mounts.

3) You don’t attach the metal plate to the phone—you attach it to the case.

4) Scratching the device with the metal plate is avoided with a piece of packaging tape over the plate.

Seriously, you’d think people didn’t know how magnets worked by reading any of this.

 

[cutienoua]

Are you sure those adhesive metal pieces are actually magnets? On every other magnet mount I've owned, including one Qi mount, the pieces that affix to the phone or case are simply thin pieces of metal with adhesive; not actual magnets.

that is correct. I have this one and is the same design as the rest. I also have baseus.

 

[Aaron-89]

So with the official apple leather case on my iPhone XS max I can place these magnets under my case (in between the phone and case) and get a magnetic hold and QI charging?

Coincidentally, I did this exact thing with my XS Max today after buying both an Apple leather case and a Scosche magnetic mount. Mine isn’t the Qi charging variant, but it uses the same type of magnets. The metal plate fits nice and flat under the case, and I left the adhesive sticker on (facing the phone) so there’s nothing sticking to the phone itself and no metal scratching it. The case sandwiches it in there nice and tight. Holds to the mount really tightly too. Very happy with it.

 

[ehrens]

Been using the Scosche vent magicmount since my 5s days and it definitely works as advertised. Even after upgrading to the 7 Plus a couple years ago, the mount has held strong and secure. As others have mentioned, the plate inteded for the phone will work sandwiched in a case and unadhered to a surface (I used it in an otterbox before switching to a less bulky case) and and this seems to work fine.

 

[Jeff5i]

Coincidentally, I did this exact thing with my XS Max today after buying both an Apple leather case and a Scosche magnetic mount. Mine isn’t the Qi charging variant, but it uses the same type of magnets. The metal plate fits nice and flat under the case, and I left the adhesive sticker on (facing the phone) so there’s nothing sticking to the phone itself and no metal scratching it. The case sandwiches it in there nice and tight. Holds to the mount really tightly too. Very happy with it.

That’s what I wanted to hear! Can you still charge wirelessly with the magnet?

 

[12643]

So with the official apple leather case on my iPhone XS max I can place these magnets under my case (in between the phone and case) and get a magnetic hold and QI charging?

Yes, you can. I have an older version of this mount without the Qi charging. I have had this for four iPhone generations, and have used it under the Apple leather case for three generations, and it works flawlessly.

The metal plates (not magnets) remove from the phone cleanly without damaging the phone, and without even leaving any sticky residue. Once removed, you can’t reuse them, but you can buy replacement plates on Amazon for cheap.

I have this mounted to the right of my steering wheel, near the radio just as described in the article. It’s super secure, and works great. You also can grab your phone and pull it right off or attach it quickly, without messing with arms, wings or grips. I highly recommend this setup.
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That’s what I wanted to hear! Can you still charge wirelessly with the magnet?

Only if you place the metal plate low enough on the phone, if it’s placed dead center it blocks the wireless charging, unfortunately.

 

[ChromeAce]

Who are these people Macrumors pays to write articles that are clueless? I’ve been using a magnetic charging mount with my iPhone 7 since the day it was launched with a mount sold on Amazon. The metal plate fits BETWEEN the phone and the case so you never see it. My silicon Apple case holds the plate in place, no adhesive necessary. I really hope Scosche paid you guys for this ad.

 

[aggiesrwe03]

I've used the Scosche mounts for years, they are by far the best mount on the market (there are a ton of knockoffs that have weak magnets or crappy metal plates that don't stick). I bought the Qi charging mount the day it came out, then upgraded to the 2nd generation when it came out it's never failed! The plates work both on the case or phone itself, or under the case (you just won't get quite as strong a magnetic hold) and the long plastic piece if you choose to use it instead works great as well. This article is a bit misleading because the metal plates are not really that big at all, nor are they magnetic, the magnets are in the mount itself. I recommend this setup to any, and everyone that asks!! The best part is that with the plates that come with this mount you can use any of Scosche's other mounts which can be bought at Walmart and cost about $14! Trust me if you're looking for a mount to hold your phone buy this one!!

 

[tooloud10]

The metal plates (not magnets) remove from the phone cleanly without damaging the phone, and without even leaving any sticky residue. Once removed, you can’t reuse them, but you can buy replacement plates on Amazon for cheap.

Of course you can reuse the metal plates--there's nothing special about them. Just tape them in place to whatever case you want.

 

[bstpierre]

Why wouldn’t someone just use a non-Qi ProClip mount with lightning cable dock and call it a day?

At the very least someone could get the car side of the ProClips mount and attach the Scosche mount to that. I use this mount to hold my phone:

A magnetic mount would be more convenient for mounting and unmounting but would lose the USB connection to audio (I could use the bluetooth connection instead).

Unrelated to RickNY's post, the suction cup is not going to stick to anything reliably if the surface has graining.