How to still get your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods charging fix
If you’re still yearning to charge your Apple Watch, iPhone and AirPods all at the same time like Apple’s cancelled AirPower mat promised, you may well be interested in the AirUnleashed.
The company behind the alternative charging solution for you portable Apple devices claims it has simplified the solution to make the charging magic happen. Apple’s mat never saw the light of the day due to the 3D charging coils it planned to use overheating because they were situated too close to each other.
Essential reading: Ultimate guide to the Apple Watch
With AirUnleashed, its makers have instead used three charging coils inside of the 12mm thick mat that sit side-by-side, thus remove that overlapping coil problem issue. So, you should be safe in the knowledge that you can simultaneously charge your iPhone, Watch and ‘Pods all at the same time.
It looks though that the 12mm thick mat requires the iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch to be placed in specific places on the mat. So you can’t simply sling on your Apple devices anywhere on the mat as was promised with the AirPower charging mat.
It also outlines that AirUnleashed requires a requires a QC 2.0 or higher charger with an output current with a minimum 2A at 5V (10W). So, the default iPhone adaptor (which has a maximum output of 5W) is not compatible. It’s recommended that you use an iPad adaptor or an other third-party charger with a 2A charging port. The company does also offer a compatible USB wall charger that will additionally set you back $9.
Related: 15 ways to improve Apple Watch battery life
The AirUnleashed is available to buy from the company’s website for $99 and is compatible with the iPhone XS. XS Max, XR, X, 8 Plus and iPhone 8. It also plays nice with the Apple Watch Series 3, Series 4 and the wireless charging case for Apple’s AirPods. We’ve got one on its way to us now to find out if it works and whether it’s a reliable alternative to the mat that Apple promised us.
