The Twelve South PowerBug is a brand new palm-size accent that does two helpful jobs. It’s each an iPhone stand and a plug-in wall charger. It makes use of MagSafe magnets to carry onto the handset, whether or not you’re utilizing it to look at video or to juice up the iPhone’s battery.
It really works wirelessly, plus there’s a USB-C port for powering a second system.
PowerBug simply launched at present, however I acquired some hands-on testing time earlier than the debut. Right here’s what I discovered.
Twelve South PowerBug evaluation
MagSafe iPhone stands aren’t new, and neither are journey chargers. Nevertheless it’s intelligent of Twelve South to merge the 2. It’s one much less factor to hold round.
And PowerBug doesn’t have to be a journey accent. It may stay in your backpack and are available out everytime you want a stand to your iPhone, otherwise you simply must cost it.
iPhone stand and wall charger
Twelve South PowerBug
4.5
PowerBug transforms any wall outlet right into a smooth, floating hub for wi-fi and wired charging, liberating up your nightstand, counter or workspace.
- Two equipment in a single: Stand and wall charger
- Additionally works as short-term wall mount
Desk of contents: Twelve South PowerBug evaluation
It’s an iPhone stand with MagSafe…
Photograph: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Twelve South PowerBug seems to be a bit like a hockey puck. It’s a cylinder that measures 2.3 inches throughout and is 1.1 inches thick. It weighs 1 / 4 of a pound. As for colours, you will have a selection between slate (balck) and dune (off white).
Put the stand on the again of the iPhone, and magnets constructed into the it and handset maintain the 2 collectively. The accent then serves as a kickstand to carry up the display screen so you possibly can watch video.
A part of PowerBug’s design is set by MagSafe/Qi2. The wi-fi charger should be a cylinder of that diameter to be appropriate with the charging mat constructed into iPhones. And whereas the accent is a bit thicker than I favor, that depth lets it maintain the cellphone display screen at a helpful angle.
On my 6.7-inch iPhone 16 Plus, the show is supported leaning backward about 25 levels with the handset in panorama mode. Swap to portrait mode and the iPhone is held leaning backward at about 55 levels. Make sure you put out the charger’s energy prongs to make use of the stand in portrait mode.
Primarily based on my testing, PowerBug makes an excellent iPhone stand. I can set the handset up on my desk, lean again and watch video in both panorama or portrait mode. That stated, the angle is best in panorama.
Photograph: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
…and a wall charger in a single.
Journey iPhone stands usually require a separate wall charger to maintain the handset juiced up. Not the Twelve South PowerBug. Fold out its decrease prongs and it may be plugged right into a socket — there are separate variations for the U.S., U.Okay and E.U.
Place the handset on the wi-fi charger and its battery stage will get boosted. MagSafe magnets maintain the iOS system in place.
Twelve South additionally inbuilt a 35W USB-C port. That is an alternate technique for charging up your iPhone, or it may be used with a MacBook or iPad.
I like the 2 charging choices, or the flexibility to cost two units without delay.
Charging efficiency
Photograph: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The Twelve South PowerBug helps Qi2 wi-fi charging, which suggests it may possibly ship as much as 15W to the iPhone. In testing with my iPhone 16 Plus, the handset’s battery stage went up 11% throughout 10 minutes of charging. That matches different Qi2 chargers I’ve examined.
Simply remember the fact that wi-fi charging generates warmth, and so does a wall charger. To maintain your iPhone from getting too heat, charging slows throughout prolonged charging periods to permit the handset to chill down.
In my exams of the PowerBug’s USB-C port, it was capable of ship 33 watts to an exterior battery that may soak up as many as 55W. It despatched as much as 26W to my iPhone.
Whether or not utilizing Qi2 or USB-C, this charger can juice up an iPhone pretty shortly. Wi-fi charging is extra handy, however the USB-C port is on the market when a sooner charger is required.
Twelve South PowerBug evaluation: Ultimate ideas
Carrying much less gear to get the identical performance is at all times a plus. And that’s what PowerBug delivers: a helpful iPhone stand and wall charger in a single palm-size product.
Twelve South already makes considered one of my favourite wall chargers, the PlugBug. This new mannequin is a welcome addition to its product lineup.
★★★★☆
Pricing & availability
The Twelve South PowerBug launched at present, July 22. It prices $49.99 USD / £49.99 GBP / €59.99 EUR.
Purchase it from: Amazon
iPhone stand and wall charger
Twelve South PowerBug
4.5
PowerBug transforms any wall outlet right into a smooth, floating hub for wi-fi and wired charging, liberating up your nightstand, counter or workspace.
- Two equipment in a single: Stand and wall charger
- Additionally works as short-term wall mount
Twelve South offered Cult of Mac with a evaluation unit for this text. See our opinions coverage, and take a look at extra in-depth opinions of Apple-related gadgets.
