TLDR;
This video reviews Belkin's new 25W Qi2.2 wireless chargers for iPhones, focusing on the UltraCharge Pro 3-in-1 and the UltraCharge 3-in-1 Fold. It compares their charging speeds to older Qi chargers and wired charging, discussing the impact of heat and the benefits of active cooling. The key takeaways are:
- The new Qi2.2 chargers offer significantly faster wireless charging, comparable to wired charging speeds.
- Active cooling, like the fan in the UltraCharge Pro, helps maintain charging speeds by mitigating heat.
- Heat is a significant factor in charging efficiency and battery health, with higher charging speeds generating more heat.
Intro [0:00]
The video introduces Belkin's new 25W wireless chargers for iPhones, highlighting their faster charging capabilities. The presenter mentions they will be reviewing two of the three new Qi2.2 chargers from Belkin, demonstrating their real-world charging speeds, and discussing the impact of heat on battery performance. The two models featured are the UltraCharge Pro 3-in-1 dock and the UltraCharge 3-in-1 folding dock.
Belkin UltraCharge Pro 3-in-1 [0:58]
The UltraCharge Pro 3-in-1 includes the charger, a USB-C to USB-C cable, and a 45W power brick. Its design is similar to the existing Boost Charge Pro, featuring a dark grey soft-touch bottom and a chrome metal arm. The dock includes a fast-charging Apple Watch puck that can charge modern Apple Watches to 80% in 45 minutes and has a hidden fan behind the puck, which can be toggled on or off to affect charging speed. The top portion is adjustable, allowing for vertical or flat positioning, the latter suitable for charging AirPods or other Qi devices.
Belkin UltraCharge 3-in-1 Fold [2:07]
The UltraCharge 3-in-1 Fold is designed for travel, featuring a matte white finish with silicone pads on the bottom and front. It includes a pivoting Apple Watch puck and a pad for charging AirPods or other Qi-enabled devices. Like the Pro model, it comes with a 45W power brick and a USB-C to USB-C cable. However, it lacks the fan, which results in slightly slower charging speeds compared to the UltraCharge Pro desktop model.
Qi2.2 Specs [2:40]
The new chargers use the Qi2.2.1 wireless charging standard, which is built on Apple's MagSafe technology. This standard allows for charging at up to 25W, a significant increase from the older Qi2 standard's 15W peak. While Apple hasn't officially confirmed devices supporting 25W Qi2.2.1 charging, the presenter verified that an iPhone 16 Pro running iOS 26 beta could achieve these higher speeds, regularly peaking at around 24.5W when measured with a USB-C power meter. It's expected that iOS 26 will bring 25W Qi2.2.1 support to the entire iPhone 16 lineup.
Real World Charging Performance [4:14]
Testing the Belkin UltraCharge Pro with and without the fan against a 15W Qi2 charger and a 45W USB-C PD cable showed impressive performance. Both the actively cooled Qi2.2.1 charger and the wired charger reached 50% in about 25 minutes, with the USB-C PD cable being slightly faster. Charging with the fan off was noticeably slower, taking 10-15 minutes longer to reach 50%. With the fan on, it took about 50 minutes to reach 80%, while with the fan off, it took almost 80 minutes. The phone stopped charging at 80% with the fan off due to increased temperature, a safety feature to preserve battery health. With the fan on, the phone reached 100% in less than 2 hours, nearly on par with USB-C cable charging.
Heat Impact [6:32]
Heat is a significant issue with higher charging speeds, as it can negatively impact battery health and efficiency. Actively cooled chargers are becoming more common to combat this. The rumoured iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max may include vapor chamber cooling to further enhance performance. Features like optimised charging in iOS and the use of a fan help maintain battery health during wireless charging. Wired charging is generally 90-95% efficient, while older MagSafe was around 75-80%. The new Qi2.2.1 standard is more efficient, likely around 85-90%, due to a new magnetic power profile and reduced heat waste.
Summary & Recommendation [7:30]
The presenter concludes that the Belkin chargers are excellent examples of high-performing Qi2.2.1 fast chargers, delivering wired performance with the convenience of wireless charging. The UltraCharge Pro 3-in-1 stands out with its premium design. While more Qi2.2.1 chargers are expected to come to market, these are a great option for those eager to try the technology now. Links to purchase the chargers are provided in the description.