Now that MagSafe has been available for more than just a few months (now past the one-year mark), the market for MagSafe accessories has exploded. One area of concern when Apple debuted even the iPhone 13 series was that battery life for non-Pro Max models would continue to be abysmal. But the problem is only compounded when you need to worry about trying to keep a portable charger and Lightning cable with you.
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Thankfully, we have started to see more and more accessory makers release MagSafe-compatible portable chargers. These just magnetically attach to the back of your iPhone and will provide an ultra-portable wireless charger that you can take with you anywhere. Apple even went so far as to release its own MagSafe Battery Pack, but that’s not without shortcomings of its own.
Since then, we’ve also seen options from Anker, who is one of the industry leaders when it comes to charging accessories of pretty much any kind. Now, myCharge is getting into the game as it announced its MAG-LOCK wireless charger right around the same time as the iPhone 13 launch.
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MyCharge Mag-Lock Review: Design
The MyCharge Mag-Lock comes in five different colors, while also being available in three different capacities. The colors available match the same color options that Apple released across the iPhone 13 lineup, allowing you to mix and match, or just match, based on your preferences. In terms of the different capacities, you can get one of these in the following battery capacities:
The lowest model provides an additional 16 hours of battery life, while the 6,000mAh version bumps that up to 32 hours. Then, the 9,000mAh Mag-Lock offers a whopping 48 hours of additional battery life before you’ll need to recharge it.
One thing that Apple manages to do extremely well, is offer designs for accessories that are simply unmatched. The company’s own MagSafe Battery Pack only comes in one color, but it’s minimal and just works. That’s not to say that the Mag-Lock doesn’t work, we’ll touch more on that later, but there is a bit of a difference that adds some bulk and functionality.
Out of the box, the myCharge Mag-Lock looks like a behemoth and feels rather heavy. On the “inside” of the Mag-Lock, you’ll find some branding, along with a soft-touch ring which is the side that attaches to your iPhone. The soft ring is not only there to help you line things up, but to also act as a bit of a buffer between the plastic and back glass of your iPhone.
Looking at the bottom of the Mag-Lock, you’ll find some regulatory information, including the charging speeds and capacity. But this is also where you’ll find the USB-C charging port for when it’s time to juice back up the Mag-Lock. On the left side (facing down), you’ll see a single button with an LED indicator that gives you some indication as to how much juice is left in the pack. Other than that, you won’t find any other buttons with the only difference being the myCharge branding on the Mag-Lock.
MyCharge Mag-Lock Review: Function
The unit that we received for review is the 6,000mAh version, which retails for $60, but can be had at Amazon for just $41 at the time of this writing. This is said to provide up to an additional 32 hours of battery life for the iPhone 13, and it surely doesn’t disappoint there.
In my time with the Mag-Lock, I found myself reaching for this MagSafe charger more than my Apple, Anker, or Mophie one just because it seemed like it always had enough juice in the tank. Even with using an iPhone 13 Pro Max, the Mag-Lock helped keep my iPhone with enough power until I was able to make it home or to plug it into my car charger.
Another nice touch with the Mag-Lock is the fact that there’s an audible chime that plays whenever you attach or detach the charger from the iPhone. It’s extremely helpful, especially for those who want to put their iPhone in a bag or pocket and want to make sure it’s still being charged. Too many times have I put my Apple MagSafe Battery Pack into a pocket only to realize that it wasn’t aligned properly and my iPhone didn’t end up charging properly.
Another area where myCharge excels is in the magnets that are used with the Mag-Lock. The company touts this as offering “the strongest magnetic grip of any magnetic charger”, and it definitely meets those expectations compared to other chargers. Plus, you don’t have to worry about taking off your iPhone’s case, provided that it too is MagSafe-compatible.
My biggest qualm with the myCharge Mag-Lock isn’t actually the company’s fault at all. But imagine walking around with an iPhone 13 Pro Max and having the 6,000mAh Mag-Lock attached to it. It’s simply unwieldy and rather heavy to use on a regular basis.
When I first received the Mag-Lock, it didn’t matter when I used it, but as time has progressed, I have found myself placing the iPhone and Mag-Lock on a table or in my center console as it charges just because of the weight. Of course, this isn’t going to be too much of a problem for those who are using any of the other iPhone models, but it’s definitely something to be aware of.
MyCharge Mag-Lock Review: Conclusion
Even if you own the iPhone 13 Pro Max, you might come across situations where you need a bit more juice before the day comes to an end. Instead of having to try and carry around a portable charger and compatible cable, we definitely recommend picking up a MagSafe battery pack. As for which one is the best? If you want a few extra bells and whistles, along with strong magnets and different size/color options, the Mag-Lock is absolutely perfect.
myCharge did a wonderful job in integrating just enough useful features, such as the power button and audible chime. Plus, the fact that you aren’t “stuck” with just a single size option goes a long way when it comes to the decision-making process. The Mag-Lock is definitely a must-own for anyone who has an iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 with MagSafe compatibility.
Andrew Myrick is a freelance writer based on the East Coast of the US. He enjoys everything to do with technology, including tablets, smartphones, and everything in between. Perhaps his favorite past-time is having a never-ending supply of different keyboards and gaming handhelds that end up collecting more dust than the consoles that are being emulated.
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