When Apple announced the iPhone 12 models with MagSafe charging capability, the first ‘MagSafe’ accessories from third parties were unveiled during the announcement. Shortly afterwards, Belkin officially introduced the Boost Charge Pro 3-in-1 wireless charger with MagSafe, which is the first official ‘MagSafe’ charging option.
Belkin’s Boost Charge Pro ‘MagSafe’ is available for purchase on January 8, and before launch I tested the charger to see how it performs compared to the standalone ‘MagSafe’ charger and whether it’s priced at $ 150 is worth.
Design-wise, the Boost Charge Pro ‘MagSafe’ looks similar to other Belkin 3-in-1 chargers on the market. The Boost Charge Pro agMagSafe is made of a white plastic material covered in a softer silicone and has a circular base with an angled, chrome-colored t-shaped arm coming from above, with a ‘MagSafe’ charger on one side and an Apple Watch charging puck on the other.
The design looks simple and straightforward, but I wish the circular base was a little smaller or rectangular to fit better on a desk. I find the shape a bit uncomfortable on my small desk because it is about 5.3 inches wide at its widest point, but given the weight of the iPhone with the angle of the charger, it probably needs a base of size to stay upright. Both charging packs are static and can not be rotated or tilted in any way, and the standard angle takes up more vertical space than I would like.
The agMagSafe charger works with all Apple iPhone 12 models, and is so large that it can be used in portrait or landscape mode. Even the largest iPhone 12 Pro Max can be used in landscape mode without interfering with the Apple Watch charging pack on the other side. The magnets line up quickly and it’s easy to get an ‘iPhone’ in the right place to charge, even in the dark.
The same soft material that covers Apple’s standard agMagSafe charger covers the Belkin agMagSafe charger, while the Apple Watch charging point is smoother plastic, like Apple’s own charging options for Apple Watch. You can get the Boost Charge Pro agMagSafe in black or white, and there is a tougher silicone material at the bottom of the accessory to ensure it stays on a desk while holding a iPhone up, plus a weighted base.
You’ll see that the Apple Watch is slanted in many of my photos, and that’s because it just does not want to stay on the Apple Watch charging point. It turns around with a push or when you attach or detach a iPhone 12, but note that I have a 40mm Apple Watch. Upon further testing with a 44mm Apple Watch, I did not see the same problem. It’s also less pronounced with a heavier 40mm stainless steel Apple Watch, but the problem is present with the model.
The Boost Charge Pro agMagSafe is pretty light, but with the tough base I had no trouble lifting or sliding it when I took my iPhone out of the charger. At the top of the base is a white LED that lets you know that the AirPods are in line and charging properly. It turns orange when the alignment is out or there is an object in the way. I do not like charging lights on docks because it distracts attention at night, but this lamp is at least limited to ‘AirPods’ charging.
The iPhone fits obliquely on the charger and is easy to see when you look at it on a bedside table or desk while charging when you receive a notification or want to check the time. If you like, you can also use it for FaceTime calls or to watch videos in landscape mode.
As a 3-in-1 charger, the base of the Boost Charge Pro agMagSafe is a wireless charging platform that can accommodate the AirPods or AirPods Pro, so that the Apple Watch, iPhone 12 and AirPods can all be charged on the same . time. The small circular recess on the charger leads you to where you need to place the ‘AirPods’ for charging purposes.
The Boost Charge Pro agMagSafe charger can charge iPhone 12 up to 15W, which is the same charging speed as the standard MagSafe charger, while also providing enough power for AirPods and Apple Watch. Apple’s own MagSafe Duo that connects MagSafe charging pack to an Apple Watch charger is limited to 14W, so Belkin’s charger just needs to be a little faster.
Apple’s standard MagSafe charger charged iPhone 12 (out of total death) to 61 percent in one hour with a 20W power adapter, and the Boost Charge Pro charged it at 66 percent, so it was somehow even faster than the standard loader. I’m not sure if I’m charging 15W with the Apple “MagSafe” charger or what, but I was happy with the charging speeds of Belkin. I also did tests with three devices simultaneously, and from death onwards, the Boost Charge Pro ‘MagSafe’ was able to charge an iPhone 12 to 61 percent within an hour, while also charging an Apple Watch and another iPhone .
Belkin provides a 40 W power adapter and 1.5 m cord with the Boost Charge Pro ‘MagSafe’, and it takes all the guesswork out of which power adapter you need to achieve the fastest speeds. Apple does not include a power adapter with the agMagSafe charger or agMagSafe Duo. For the agMagSafe charger you must use the official 20W charger from Apple or another charger which may or may not be compatible, and for the MagSafe Duo the maximum speed requires a compatible 27W + charger.
Trying to figure out which power adapters I can use with Apple’s charging options was a problem, so I appreciate that Belkin has a power adapter ready to use. You cannot use a third-party power adapter because it does not work via USB.
The downside of the Boost Charge Pro agMagSafe is that the agMagSafe charger does not work with older iPhones. Technically agMagSafe chargers are compatible with earlier iPhones and can charge at 7.5 W, but Belkin’s upright design depends on magnets to hold the iPhone in place, and since there are no MagSafe magnets in older iPhones, there is no viable charging option.
You can charge an older iPhone to which the irAirPods. Is intended, although this charging station is specifically designed for irAirPods because it is just a Qi-based wireless charger. This charging slot worked with a iPhone X, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro Max, so I assume it fits most devices. Since this charging point is aimed at AirPods, it’s limited to 5W, but I’ve found that it works perfectly for my non-iPhone 12 devices, and I appreciate the option.
You can use the Boost Charge Pro agMagSafe with MagSafe cases, even though you are subject to compatibility. I tested with Apple’s MagSafe ‘covers and it worked well. I do not have MagSafe cases to test, but Belkin says that it is specifically designed to work with MagSafe certified cases.
Bottom Line
If you are looking for a multi-device charger for an iPhone 12, this is the one you can get. It works with any Apple Watch iPhone 12 model and the dieAirPods, and at $ 150 it’s only $ 30 more expensive than the collapsible agMagSafe Duo.
The MagSafe Duo is the best choice for travel, but for a charger you plan to use at home, the Boost Charge Pro MagSafe is a functional, attractive charger with multiple devices that work as expected. I have no real complaints about the Belkin MagSafe charger, and since it works with three devices, can work upright and is equipped with a power adapter, I prefer it over the MagSafe Duo.
How to buy
Belkin plans to launch the Boost Charge Pro 3-in-1 wireless charger withMagSafe on January 8, and it can be purchased for $ 149.99 on the Belkin website.
Note: Belkin has provided MacRumors with a MagSafe Boost Charge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charger for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.