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Using a cable to charge is still the go-to for most people, but wireless charging stands like theMophie snap+make a compelling case for the move to a more modern solution. With the ability to charge a phone, earbuds, and a smartwatch at the same time, the value proposition is clear.
The snap+ 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand has stiff competition from the likes of theSamsung Trio, Belkin BOOSTCHARGE PRO, MagBak MultiCharger, and a plethora of inexpensive off-brand options like theWhite Cat 5 in 1 Wireless Charging Station.
Mophie tries to stand out with the snap+ by working with both Apple- and Android-based devices, as well as anything else that usesQi charging. However, the snap+ does fudge its broad compatibility in one regard by requiring the user to bring their own watch charger.
Design: Almost Universal
In the box, you get the snap+ wireless charger, AC adapter, snap adapter and paper fit guide, and a quick start guide. Setup requires you to plug the AC adapter in and, if you have anApple WatchorSamsung Galaxy Watch, attach one of the two included adapters.
The weighted steel base of the wireless charger provides stability when adding and removing devices.MagSafe integrationallows a compatible iPhone to accurately snap into place on the wireless charger, which pivots up and down and works in either portrait or landscape mode. If you don’t have a MagSafe-compatible phone, or your phone’s case is a bit too thick to allow for proper wireless charging, asnap adapter with 3M adhesiveis provided that may allow for a working alignment.
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The textured platform has a recessed area to chargeApple AirPods,Galaxy Buds, or equivalent Qi-compatible earbuds with a charging case. On the rear of the unit is a USB-C port that you may plug your own cable into and what arguably gives the snap+ its 3-in-1 capabilities since an Apple Watch charger or Samsung Smartwatch charger is not included.
Although it was a bit fiddly getting my existing Apple Watch charging cable in place, once installed, I had no issues charging myApple Watch Series 7 (45mm). Similarly, when tested with anApple iPhone 14 Pro Max(equipped with aMagBak case) and AirPods Pro (2nd generation), charging went smoothly. Overall, there’s little to complain about with regards to the snap+ charger’s build quality—everything works as it should.
A Stand Against Its Peers
The Mophie snap+ 3-In-1 Wireless Charging Stand’s main selling point is its versatility. The Samsung Trio, for instance, also works with most Android, Apple, and Qi-compatible smartphones and earbuds, but it only works with Samsung Galaxy smartwatches and doesn’t provide an additional USB-C port. TheBelkin BOOSTCHARGE PRO 3 in 1 Wireless Chargerand MagBak MulitCharger, on the other hand, are designed exclusively for Apple devices, although you don’t need to supply anything additional to charge your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch.
Neither of those options provides an additional USB-C charging port either. Of course, each of these and otherwireless chargersall have their own pluses and minuses in terms of price and form factor beyond what they can and can’t charge.
With up to 7.5W of charging power for Apple devices and up to 15W of charging power for Android and Qi devices, the snap+ provides plenty of output and compares favorably to the best of its competition. Of course, the actual output varies from 5W to 15W depending on the charging surface used and the number of devices charging simultaneously. Since you need to supply your own smartwatch charger, that does leave more available watts for other devices.
Should You Buy the snap+ 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand?
Unlike most other charging stands, theMophie snap+tries to be all things to all users. Unfortunately, this versatility also comes with a price, both in its actual cost of $99.95, as well as in its requirement to bring your own smartwatch charger, which adds at least one extra cable out the back. It also comes with a particularly bulky AC adapter that can easily block more than one outlet depending on where you plug it in.
Other chargers that target specific product lines, like the Samsung Trio for Samsung Galaxy devices or the MagBak MultiCharger for Apple devices, provide more self-contained wireless charging solutions. In that regard, the Mophie snap+ makes the most sense if you have a mix of gadgets or often switch between Apple and Samsung devices.
Of course, if you don’t mind the bring-your-own nature of the smartwatch charging and a few extra cables on the backside, the addition of a USB-C port is a distinctive and handy feature considering the tabletop footprint this and other devices take up.
