Satechi Duo Wireless Charger Review: Smart, superfluous multi-device battery | AppleInsider

Satechi Duo wireless charger

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Satechi is a reliable accessory maker that creates functional gadgets, but this Wireless Charger Duo might be a bit off-track in its attempts to combine different utilities into one item.

The inclusion of a 10,000mAh battery in the Wireless Charger Duo means it’s meant to be more of a road warrior and less of a home standout. And it will surely be a great travel companion for some people.

At first, however, we just weren’t sure if the stand feature and dedicated AirPods charging point really justified the $100 retail price. We looked into it to determine if its design was really worth the cost or not.

The Satechi Duo Wireless Charger looks like a 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 portable bedside docking station. Its secret is that it houses a battery that’s more than capable of charging any iPhone to at least 100% without the need for a wall outlet.

It can wirelessly charge a phone (or other Qi-enabled device) flat on top. This top slab can then lift up if you need it to function as a support as well.

AirPods can rest on the charger and be powered that way, but underneath the stand is a dedicated slot for charging AirPods. The larger AirPods Pro case fits snugly into Apple’s earphone slot.

There is a power button to turn the device on and off. If you want to use it as a support without draining the energy from it, it is possible. There’s also a USB-C port on the back for recharging or powering another device using a cable.

The heart of this product is simply a fancy power bank made a bit thicker by the ability to hold a phone upright.

Lifting the top panel vertically allows you to charge your phone while using it for FaceTime calls or watching videos hands-free. The phone will charge in portrait or landscape orientation.

There are no magnets or anything to hold the phone in place, so you’ll have to be careful not to bump it. This feature, while handy, also brings us to the bigger conundrum. Figure out who would need to wirelessly (and slowly) charge their phone on the go, while also being wedged into the stand.

An obvious scenario is that when you travel, you want to charge your phone at the hotel and also use it to watch videos. That makes sense but doesn’t quite explain the battery which makes it thicker and heavier than a charger plugged directly into the wall.

If you need a battery that can charge a device wirelessly so you don’t have to bring or fumble with cables, you’re probably getting around too much, from Uber to the airport to the hotel. , to use the tilt stand function.

We took the Wireless Charger Duo with us to work in a library and cafe to see how it worked outside the home.

Setting it up on a table next to our laptop gave nice visibility to notifications and widgets on our iPhone while still getting some power. Nothing about it seemed convincing though.

We’re sure someone has a specific need for this type of power bank, but it’s hard to imagine many people will eventually need it.

In terms of components, the flip lid hinge is technically impressive. There are no set angles and it will support the weight of an iPhone at any position between completely flat and as high as possible.

The hinge is definitely a positive feature overall, but it lacks a securing mechanism when flat.

We wish it had a satisfying latch to snap into place or a strong magnetic force to close it. During our use, the top bracket didn’t always feel secure.

To be clear, the bracket part never opened up in our bag and mostly didn’t move, but it always took a second and third check to make sure it was pushed in properly at bottom. Constantly checking this was a bit annoying over time.

There’s nothing technically wrong with this Satechi charger and mount combo. It is a very good wireless power bank.

We wish the top bracket closed more securely, but that’s more of a wish-fulfillment than any actual issues we’ve had using this device. Even the limited charging speeds of the two Qi spots at 5W each and the USB-C port at 10W (5V/2A) aren’t bad, just unfortunate.

We do, however, have issues with the practicality of the product. Some of the use cases seem unnecessary or wrong, as mentioned earlier. Frequent travelers and road warriors should find this product’s niche, but most people won’t need its smarts.

If you really want a portable iPhone stand powered by a 10,000mAh battery, we recommend this one.

• Support function works well
• Qi charging portrait or landscape
• Can charge multiple devices if needed

• Thicker than other wireless power banks
• Top bracket has no locking mechanism when laid flat
• Slow charging for multiple devices

The Wireless Charger Duo is available for purchase from Satechi’s online store for $99.99.