Belkin test – why Qi2 chargers are so ingenious

The first chargers with the new wireless standard Qi2 are available in our shop. I tried out two Belkin all-rounders that focus on very different areas.

Belkin Magnetic Charger Qi2 – multi-talented in all positions

This wireless charger for just under 60 francs is actually quite simple. It has a charging surface where you can magnetically dock your smartphone. But the holder can also be opened. This way, the phone no longer lies on your table, but is held in the air – in portrait or landscape format.

Wireless chargers

EUR51,76

Belkin Boost Charge Pro Qi2 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand

15 W

673

Wireless chargers

EUR51,76

Belkin Boost Charge Pro Qi2 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand

15 W

673

For example, you can use it to watch videos and charge the battery at the same time. During my test, I used the Belkin Magnetic Charger with an iPhone in two other ways. As a desk alarm clock – and as a webcam.

In doing so, I use two new Apple functions. If an iPhone is connected to a power supply and is being used in landscape format, standby mode is activated. The time, date, calendar, weather data, tasks and even photos are displayed in a large and easy-to-read way.

This is useful on a bedside table, for example. I also used it in my home office, thanks to a second iPhone feature – Continuity Camera. With it, my iPhone becomes a wireless webcam in combination with a Mac.

In other words, during a video call, I rotate the iPhone mount and get first-class image quality thanks to the phone’s main camera. The big advantage of the Belkin Magnetic Charger compared to other mounts? I can change the viewing angle both upwards and downwards. This way, I’m fully in frame at any time.

Belkin Boost Charge Pro 2in1 Qi2 charging pad – a shelf for your gadgets

The concept of this wireless charger is well known. Place your smartphone on it and it charges. You can also use the second charging slot to power headphones such as Airpods. There’s even a USB-C port on the side to connect a third gadget via cable. However, only 5 watts of power pass through there, pretty meagre.

−13%

Wireless chargers

EUR52,66 was EUR60,75

Belkin Boost Charge Pro 2-in-1

15 W

673

Wireless chargers

−13%

EUR52,66 was EUR60,75

Belkin Boost Charge Pro 2-in-1

15 W

673

The Qi2 charging station on the left also has built-in magnets. The big advantage here – when I place my iPhone 15 Pro on it, it automatically snaps into the correct position. That way I don’t run the risk of the phone charging inefficiently or, in the worst case, not charging at all.

Incidentally, both Belkin chargers have one thing in common: although the rubberised surfaces are very pleasant, dust also sticks to them very well. This is less visible in the white than black version.

Charging with 15 watts – but so far only for iPhones

One of the advantages of the Qi2 standard is the charging speed – a maximum of 15 watts is possible. I checked, and clearly achieved this value with the Belkin chargers. But I also quickly realised that iPhones regulate charging speeds themselves.

With a 60 per cent charged iPhone 15 Pro, the charging pad only drew 10 to 11 watts. At a battery level of 40 per cent, it was 14 to 15 watts. It seems speed depends very much on how the smartphone controls the entire charging process.

By the way, Android smartphones with integrated Qi2 plus magnets don’t exist yet. You can read more on that here:

But since Qi2 is backwards compatible, I can also use it to charge my Google Pixel 8. That phone could theoretically even manage 18 watts, but only on Google’s own wireless charging dock. On paper, it’s 7.5 watts for a Qi charger. I measured around 5 watts on the two Belkin docks – the Pixel only manages half as much as the iPhone. Due to the lack of magnets, this can only be done horizontally, and I had to make sure the device was positioned correctly.

Overall, the two Belkin chargers impress with their practical details. If you have an iPhone 13, 14 or 15, you can take full advantage of them. For the Android world, we can only hope that plenty of smartphones with Qi2 and magnetic holders launch soon.