A mere two years after Apple launched MagSafe for iPhones, we’re lastly getting the accent that in all probability ought to’ve launched with it: a magnetic automobile mount that is additionally able to truly charging your cellphone. As 9to5Mac noticed, Belkin has introduced its Increase Cost Professional Wi-fi Automotive Charger With MagSafe, which is offered for pre-order on the Apple retailer.

I do know what a few of you could be considering: “wait, Amazon is flooded with MagSafe automobile chargers, they usually’re nowhere even near $100. What makes this one particular?” The reply is that this one is definitely MagSafe, the place the remainder are MagSafe appropriate. That signifies that they use a hoop of magnets to carry your cellphone, and normal Qi charging that may’t pump as a lot energy into your cellphone — as a result of Apple received’t let it. (Some actually suspicious listings say they’ll do 15W charging, nevertheless it looks like they imply that the coil in it’s technically able to quick wi-fi charging for telephones that aren’t iPhones.) However one which has the iPhone maker’s official blessing is lastly right here… and it appears a bit tough to suggest.

The Belkin’s extraordinarily wordy title principally spells out precisely the way it works: you clip it onto your automobile vent, and it holds your iPhone up so you possibly can see no matter maps or music controls are on it (in idea, anyhow — a number of automobile vents battle to remain in place below the load of a cellphone and mount). It’s going to additionally present 15W of charging energy, greater than iPhones can pull from normal Qi chargers.

As I mentioned earlier than, it is a fairly apparent use for Apple’s MagSafe tech. That’s why it was so shocking when Belkin principally introduced this precise factor the day after the iPhone 12 launched MagSafe — besides it value $40 and it bafflingly left off the flexibility to really cost your cellphone. You already know, the principle factor you’d need it to do in case you had been attempting to make use of a power-hungry navigation app.

In contrast to that mannequin, Belkin’s new accent features a built-in USB-C cable to get the facility out of your automobile to your cellphone. I used to be going to be mad about that, as a result of most automobiles fashionable sufficient to have USB-C ports will in all probability include CarPlay (although there are notable exceptions), making this accent far much less vital. Fortunately, Belkin additionally features a 12V automobile charger adapter for folks whose automobiles include USB-A ports or no cellphone charging capabilities to talk of. That appears wise sufficient, and I am unable to consider any conditions the place that will be an issue, although I would’ve most popular a detachable cable on a product that’ll in all probability be continually uncovered to daylight.

The mount can even swivel your cellphone from portrait to panorama, for nevertheless you wish to see your instructions. For probably the most half it, looks like a wonderfully competent accent —besides that, once more, it prices $99.95.

I do perceive that MagSafe equipment typically don’t come low cost, however I believe most individuals will in all probability wish to at the very least think about different, cheaper choices. Spigen makes a $21 model of this that acts as a receptacle for a $39 MagSafe puck. Even in case you splurge for a fancy $20 twin USB-C 12V adapter (as a result of it doesn’t include one), you’d nonetheless be saving a good chunk of change. Plus, Spigen’s model is available in black, whereas Belkin’s model solely is available in white, which can stand out like a sore thumb in opposition to most dashboards.

You might additionally get Belkin’s $60 BoostCharge Magnetic Wi-fi Automotive Charger, which is “MagSafe appropriate,” that means it holds your cellphone utilizing magnets, however can solely cost at 10W, as a substitute of 15W. Provided that I’d anticipate sooner wi-fi charging to overheat my cellphone throughout the summer season, I would gravitate in the direction of that model over the MagSafe ones.

For those who don’t like both of these choices, although, the Belkin Increase Cost Professional Wi-fi Automotive Charger with MagSafe begins transport on November 14th.