Ever since Apple released MagSafe, a magnet-based mounting system that allows the iPhone to cling to various mounts and accessories, Android users have been nothing short of jealous.
The lack of this feature, regardless of the Android smartphone I tried, always left me wanting more. I too would like to one day be able to simply place my Android smartphone on the MagSafe car mount that my partner uses during her daily commute.
The main takeaways for Spigen and ESR magnetic rings
- Magnetic rings made by Spigen and ESR, and other accessory brands offer MagSafe compatibility to Android devices and older iPhones.
- These magnetic rings are relatively affordable (e.g. $14 and $20) and allow you to attach your device to virtually any MagSafe accessory, including car mounts, tripods, charging stands, and many other products Again.
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Attaching these rings does not allow your smartphone to charge wirelessly if it is not initially equipped with this charging technology, and the assembly process can be difficult for smartphones whose device photo is more cumbersome.
Waiting for Qi2
This should happen soon, thanks to the Qi2 format and the members of the Wireless Power Consortium. But “soon” is not “now.” And so in the meantime, I found a quick solution with these magnetic rings (like the one from Spigen, the OneTap Magnetic Ring for MagSafe). And it’s cheaper than you think.
A magnetic ring is sort of the literal definition of MagSafe. By installing it on the back of your smartphone, the device can attach to other magnetic supports and accessories, thus guaranteeing optimal positioning both to clearly see the screen but also to recharge it wirelessly.
Because if there is one problem that affects traditional wireless chargers, it is the fact that as soon as you move your smartphone a little to the left or right, the charging coil is misaligned and the power delivered is then weakened.
The mounting kit should work with just about any smartphone
Attaching the magnetic ring to the smartphone is made easy with an installation guide. In the photo below, we can see that there is a cutout provided so as not to be bothered by the bump of the rear photo block of your smartphone, which guarantees good adhesion of the ring. Sure, you’ll find mounts on Amazon, but most of them don’t come with this guide, and installation isn’t as simple.
Once the holder is centered, simply lift the frame to cover your MagSafe compatible Android smartphone. June Wan/ZDNET
The mounting kit should work with just about any smartphone, including the newer Google Pixels with their wide camera bar. However, there was an anomaly during my tests: I was not able to fit the frame around the bump of the OnePlus Open’s photo block. Because the block is huge.
Using smartphones without a case is one of the riskiest decisions I’ve made in my life, but Spigen recommends applying the magnetic ring to your phone case. The grip is simply better on the plastic/TPU texture of a case than on the glossy/satin finish of smartphones, and I can attest to that.
Hot air can weaken the bond
In fact, one of the problems I’ve had when using the magnetic ring directly on a phone is when it’s mounted on a car vent and the heater is on .
Hot air can weaken the bond and cause the ring to come loose from the back glass of the phone. All it takes is a bump on the road for your phone to undergo an impromptu drop test.
June Wan/ZDNET
There is another issue that was reported on a Reddit post regarding the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and S23 Ultra: The use of the magnetic ring could interfere with the functionality of the S Pen, whether it be latency issues or general connectivity. I therefore advise you not to get one if you have one or the other of these devices.
ZDNET Buying Tips for Android Smartphone Magnetic Rings
Otherwise, overall, I was very satisfied with the additional features that a simple 20 euro accessory can bring to my smartphone.
Being able to put my Android on a wireless charging dock, car mount, and other “iPhone-exclusive” accessories seems like the most guilt-inducing thing to do, but this accessory works, and it is a good choice.
Source: “ZDNet.com”