For me, Qi 2.2 is quietly becoming one of the biggest upgrades to MagSafe we have seen since it launched with the iPhone 12. Faster charging speeds, better heat management, and stronger magnets make wireless charging feel a lot closer to a wired experience. ESR is already out front with hardware that takes full advantage of it, and their new 3-in-1 charging station is one of the best examples yet.
MagSafe Monday: Every Monday, Bradley Chambers looks at the latest and greatest in the MagSafe and wireless charging industry to help you get the most out of your Apple devices that support wireless charging.
Qi 2.2 is focus
It delivers 25-watt wireless charging with active cooling through CryoBoost while also charging an Apple Watch and AirPods in a very compact charging stand. If you have limited counter/desk space for a charging setup, this is a great option.
The jump from a 15-watt MagSafe to a 25-watt Qi 2.2 may not sound huge on paper, but in daily use, it makes a noticeable difference. On a supported iPhone 16 and 17 models running iOS 26 and later, you can go from zero to around 60% in about half an hour. That is in the same range as many wired chargers and significantly ahead of older Qi stands that struggled to charge quickly during longer sessions. The key here is that Qi 2.2 maintains high speeds while staying significantly cooler, which is where ESR’s CryoBoost system becomes a valuable feature.
MagSafe charging almost always generates heat more so than wired. That heat slows everything down and can even make your iPhone too warm to use comfortably. CryoBoost solves that by actively cooling the phone while it charges. ESR says temperatures stay an average of 6.5 degrees cooler and can drop more than 10 degrees compared to stands without cooling. I cannot measure these numbers exactly, but I can say that the phone never became hot to the touch during longer charging sessions when I started from near 0%. Because the phone stays cooler, Qi 2.2 can maintain its peak charging speeds longer, which makes this feel much closer to a wired charge without having to fool with a cable.
The charging stand itself is compact and has a small footprint on a desk. It holds the iPhone securely with strong magnets and works perfect in both portrait and landscape. StandBy works well since the angle is perfect for a quick glance at your desk or next to your bed. ESR also added a quiet mode for the fan at night, allowing you to charge without any noise if you are using it near your bed. I appreciate when vendors build in features like that so you can use it next to your bed. One thing to note is that the Apple Watch charger is detachable, allowing you to connect it with a USB-C cable for a portable charger.
Wrap up
If you want a three-in-one that keeps your desk or nightstand clean and brings the latest wireless charging speeds (Qi 2.2), this is the stand I would buy right now. Qi 2.2 brings a noticeable speed upgrade, CryoBoost keeps everything cool, and the detachable Apple Watch charger is a great bonus for travel. It includes a 50-watt charger in the box as well. It is fast, tidy, and future-proof if you plan to upgrade your iPhone in the next year. It is an easy recommendation. It has all the latest specs, so you are future-proofed.
You can buy the ESR Qi 2.2 3-in-1 charging station from Amazon or directly from ESR.
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