The Apple Watch Series 7 has a new fast charging feature that allows the latest models to charge up to 33 percent faster than the previous generation models, but it requires new hardware.
The Apple Watch Series 7 requires an updated charging puck that supports fast charging, which means that all existing Apple and third-party charging docks are out of date and won't offer the fastest charging speeds when used with a Series 7. The new fast charge Apple Watch is equipped with a new fast charge puck from Belkin, which is the Boost Charge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with MagSafe.
The Boost Charge Pro is a multi- device charging, so it also has a wireless charging spot for the AirPods and a 15W wireless charging pad for the iPhone 12 and 13 models.
The upright charging position for the iPhone has been a feature of the multi-device chargers from Belkin for some time.
There is an Apple Watch charging puck that can be popped up for Night Stand mode on the right, and a MagSafe charging pad on the left. There is a circular indent in the middle where the AirPods are supposed to be positioned.
I don't like the amount of desk space that this design takes up. The phone needs to be positioned in a portrait orientation to charge, so there needs to be space above the charger and below the phone to fit it. With an upright charging pad design, the phone is up out of the way and the charging pad can go at the back of my desk, but with this flat design, it needs to be more in the middle of my desk to have room for the phone.
The Boost Charge Pro measures in at nine inches long and three inches wide, with all three charging spots in a row. If you have a smaller, more compact space like I do, this design might not be the best for you. The design is too heavy and thick for that purpose, in my opinion.
The Boost Charge Pro Wireless Charging Pad has a premium feel with a solid weight that keeps it on the desk when using the MagSafe charging with an iPhone, and it's made from a soft touch material that comes in either black or white. There are chrome accents for the Apple Watch and MagSafe charging puck. The black model picks up lint and dust and it's difficult to get off because of the texture.
The Apple Watch and iPhone screens can be used to confirm charging for the other devices, even though there is a light on the AirPods charging spot.
The MagSafe charging speed was as fast as a standard MagSafe charge. The Apple Watch Series 7 charging puck was the same speed as the Apple Watch charging puck that shipped with the watch. The middle spot is limited to 5 watt charging.
The Boost Charge Pro is compatible with older phones and Apple Watches. You won't get faster charging with an older Apple Watch, but with the MagSafe charging, non-MagSafe phones will max out at 7.5W. You can squeeze another phone into the middle charging spot as well.
The Boost Charge Pro has a barrel plug instead of a universal one, which is typical of the 3-in-1 Belkin chargers. I would like to see Belkin adopt theusb-c charging option, and I would also like to see more variation in naming to keep the different charging options straight.
The new Wireless Charging Pad with MagSafe version is not the same as the prior Boost Charge Pro Wireless Charger with MagSafe, so if you're looking to buy, you should not get it.
The bottom line.
If you have the budget and the desk space for the Boost Charge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad, it's possible to get the fastest wireless charging speeds for the newest iPhone and the Apple Watch.
The Apple Watch Series 7 users who wear their Apple Watches to bed may be interested in the Boost Charge Pro. If you want to get to sleep but need to charge your Apple Watch to have enough juice to get through the night, faster charging can be a real quality of life improvement.
It's convenient to have enough battery life for an eight hour sleeping period with just about 10 minutes of charging. The Apple Watch has an option of charging puck, but for those who prefer a single-cable charging solution and want fast charging, the Boost Charge Pro is the only other option.
How to buy something.
Pre-ordering the Boost Charge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad from the Belkin website will get you $150. It will be delivered in December or January.
MacRumors received a 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad from Belkin for the purpose of the review. No other compensation was received. MacRumors is an associate partner. When you click a link, we may get a small payment, which helps keep the site running.
