Andrew O'Hara
Satechi has launched a new Apple Watch charger with a removable USB-C cable, one that allows for unprecedented portability for powering Apple's wrist-worn device by taking advantage of the iPad Pro's port.
The new charger — The "USB-C Magnetic Charging Dock for Apple Watch" — is a small, aluminum puck with a USB-C adapter protruding from one side. This allows users to plug the charger directly into any USB-C port, though it also has an included USB-C extension cable for more reach.
Very few, if any, third-party USB-C chargers for Apple Watch have come to market — let alone one with a detachable cable.
Satechi USB-C Magnetic Charging Dock for Apple Watch connected directly to an iPad ProWith or without the cable, this charger lets Apple Watch accumulate charge when connected to an iPad Pro or a recent MacBook. This gives potential users an alternative way to recharge the Apple Watch while on the move, without resorting to searching for an outlet or using a separate power bank.
The new Satechi USB-C Magnetic Charging Dock for Apple Watch is available starting today for $44.99 from Satechi directly. Through December 26, shoppers can save 20% by using promo code GIFTSATECHI. Apple offers its own USB-C charger for Apple Watch in 1 meter and 0.3 meter lengths for $29, though it lacks the removable cable element.
Charles Martin
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15 Comments
Was going to ask what made it portable til I saw the pic. Not sure it is more portable, but still neat. Totally not worth that sort of premium for me.
Looks great! It would be better if it was a pass-through device to charge AW and iPad if you wanted.
Idk if I’d charge it using my iPad Pro but I’d definitely use it w a portable charger.
[recanted for relevancy]
Plugging that directly into an iPad or MacBook seems some combination of risky and awkward. But that's fine, you don't have to use it that way.
Personally I would have designed it with a "female" USB-C connector so that any USB-C cable would work.
In other words, I would have made it like Apple's optional charging dock, with USB-C instead of lightning as the connector.
https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MU9F2/apple-watch-magnetic-charging-dock?fnode=80
In any case, $45 for this would have been a better purchase than the $80 I (my wife) spent on the Apple version.
Update: I hadn't realized that Apple has introduced a $29 USB-C Watch charger (as mentioned at the end of the article). I don't know why anyone would spend $45 on a third party version when Apple sells an equivalent product for less. (Again, I would be concerned about plugging it directly into any device without the cord; USB-C ports are not design to bear any weight/strain.)