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The Twelve South HiRise 3 is a three-device charger that solves a particular downside with most MagSafe chargers however does not bear Apple’s MFi approval.
Once we have been first launched to the third-generation HiRise from Twelve South, we did not anticipate to love it. The HiRise household has proud legacy, and we weren’t certain this newest incarnation would maintain up.
Our first response from the PR photos painted an image of a plastic charger that lacked any MFi certifications. By all appearances, it did not have the Apple backing and premium supplies we usually see from Twelve South.
After utilizing the gadget for a bit, we have come round on the HiRise 3. Whereas it is not the quickest charger on the market, it is an important desktop or nightstand companion with useful design selections.
Glossy Apple-like design
With the HiRise 3 in our fingers, we have been smitten with its very clear design with purposeful traces. On our white mannequin, it appears like a tray on the Apple Retailer, with matte-white edges, a soft-touch end, and a lightweight gray prime.
That mild gray floor appears to be like unassuming, nevertheless it acts as one of many three chargers. It’s a charging pad for powering up your AirPods, a second cellphone, or one other Qi-enabled accent.
A metallic pole holds the iPhone and Apple Watch chargers within the air with minimal seams. The entire gadget appears to be like polished and like one thing you’d discover sitting as at an Apple gadget demo station.
One huge differentiator between the HiRise and different MagSafe chargers is the charging floor. Twelve South opted for a really giant, flat floor to carry your iPhone.
The thought is that as you attempt to work together together with your cellphone, it’s extra secure. Suppose alongside the traces of a 6am alarm going off and also you’re making an attempt to smack that snooze button for just a few extra minutes of shut-eye.
Most MagSafe chargers have a small contact floor, so if you press on the underside or edges, it could actually come freed from the magnet. Our nightstand has a glass prime, and since we regularly use our cellphone with a case, a tumble will wake you up in a short time — belief us.
The flat floor holds the cellphone effectively, even with the a number of instances we tried, and supplies extra assist regardless of the place you press in your cellphone.
On prime is the Apple Watch puck which blends neatly into the floor. It has only a small bump and the identical matte end as the remaining.
Charging energy for 3 gadgets
Twelve South says you want a 20W charger to adequately energy all three gadgets on the HiRise 3. You possibly can provide your personal, however Twelve South would find it irresistible for those who thought of the PlugBug Slim.
The decrease charging pad is able to 5W of energy, whether or not used with a set of AirPods or one other iPhone. The Apple Watch puck can cost at as much as 3W, and the iPhone charger is able to 10W.
This feels a bit disingenuous although. We notice Qi chargers come at normal charges, however in contrast to different Qi chargers that would additionally cost Android gadgets, the HiRise 3 is restricted simply to iPhones. And iPhones can solely cost at as much as 7.5W through Qi.
By promoting the Qi charger as a 10W charger when it’s bodily solely able to charging iPhones, unassuming customers could also be anticipating a a lot quicker charger than they’re getting.
It is not a one hundred pc fabrication, however Twelve South does not acknowledge anyplace on the product web page that iPhones are presently restricted to 7.5W.
Our greatest gripe with the HiRise 3 is that as a result of it is not MFi-certified, it lacks superior charging speeds. It does not assist quick charging on the Apple Watch Collection 7, and it does not assist 15W of charging through MagSafe.
Must you purchase the Twelve South HiRise 3?
Neither the Apple Watch nor the iPhone charger are Apple-certified and might’t supply the quickest speeds doable. That does not imply they’re unsafe although.
Qi chargers are nonetheless commonplace and completely wonderful to make use of together with your iPhone. Apple enforces inflexible requirements on MagSafe and Apple Watch chargers, and Twelve South needed to skip certification to get the design it was searching for.
Actual MagSafe and Apple Watch gadgets want to make use of Apple’s provided pucks and it a number of limits the design selections you make. We love the flat, almost seamless look of the HiRise 3 and it would not be that method if Apple had its say.
We additionally recognize how sturdy the charger is whereas nonetheless supporting the MagSafe magnets on the most recent iPhones. So long as you are happy with the restricted charging speeds to your watch and cellphone, this gadget will look nice in your house or workplace.
Twelve South did one thing completely different, and we applaud it for that. This charger is not going to be for everybody, however it’s distinctive, fashionable, and efficient at charging your every day gadgets.
Twelve South HiRise 3 Execs
- Glossy look with Apple-like design
- Clean traces and strong really feel
- Commonplace USB-C energy
- Expenses three gadgets without delay
- Giant, strong floor for charging iPhone others lack
- Magnetically holds iPhone 12, iPhone 13, and iPhone 14 gadgets
Twelve South HiRise 3 Cons
- No Apple certification for MagSafe or Apple Watch
- Slower 7.5W iPhone velocity
- No Apple Watch quick charging
Score: 3.5 out of 5
The place to purchase the Twelve South HiRise 3
You possibly can choose up the brand new Twelve South HiRise 3 straight from the corporate’s web site for $79.99.
Evaluation