Yes, although I will say the actual charging magnets are as strong as my official MagSafe chargers, and the magnets that keep it shut are the same. It’s only when it’s flipped around to silver side touching silver side that the magnets are weaker.
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Review: Twelve South's 'ButterFly' is a Great Travel Charger
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Obviously based on the MagSafe Duo, but updated with fast charging, USB-C, and a design that hopefully doesn't interfere with the camera bump on non-Max models. I would consider it except $130 is too steep. Also, I'd prefer that it not come with a power adapter, as I (and I'm guessing lots of us) have more USB-C adapters piling up than we know what to do with.
I’m sure this is a nice charger but I got a foldable one from Amazon for $20 which charges my iPhone and AirPods wirelessly and my Apple Watch using an included magnetic charger.
I don’t know the power ratings but it’s super light and comes in a handy travel case, including a USB-C cable and small wall brick.
It’s probably cheap, Chinese trash but, hey, it does the job perfectly adequately for my purposes!
I don’t know the power ratings but it’s super light and comes in a handy travel case, including a USB-C cable and small wall brick.
It’s probably cheap, Chinese trash but, hey, it does the job perfectly adequately for my purposes!
I'm confused by these pictures. Does it come in two different sizes?
I bought one on their presale. On my last trip I was thinking I needed something like this. I agree though it is a little overpriced.
If you think it’s overpriced, you just aren’t the target market. Plenty of people out there who would pay $130 for what this thing offers. Me included.
code “MacRumors2023” works on their website for 20% off which is what I needed to go for this
Earlier this month, Twelve South launched the ButterFly 2-in-1 MagSafe Charger, and it may be the best multi-device travel charger that's come out to date. The "ButterFly" name comes from the shape, as it has two magnetic sides connected by a small strap in the middle.
When folded up, the ButterFly is just two inches around and fits in a palm or a pocket, making it easy to transport. Unfolded, there's a 15W MagSafe charger on one side for the iPhone, and Apple Watch charging puck on the other side. The Apple Watch charger supports fast charging for the Apple Watch Series 7 and later, allowing for quicker charging speeds.
The Apple Watch charger can be used flat or it can be popped out to support Nightstand mode and bands that can't charge in a flat orientation. The MagSafe side is a simple charging puck that connects to MagSafe iPhones and other devices like the MagSafe AirPods.
There is a USB-C port on the ButterFly to power it, and Twelve South includes a braided black USB-C cable and 30W power adapter. There are swappable plugs so that you'll have the plug you need if you're traveling to another country. There's a standard plug for the U.S. and Canada, a two-prong plug for Europe, a three-prong plug for the UK, Ireland, and other countries, and a plug that works in Australia, New Zealand, and China. You can swap in the one you need and store the rest for trips.
The ButterFly is made from a silver aluminum material that matches well with Apple's devices, with the two halves of the charger connected by a vegan leatheresque strap. It's an attractive design, and the connection between the two pieces seems like it's secure enough to hold up over time.
Twelve South designed the ButterFly with some clever features, so it is able to work with StandBy on the iPhone. It can fold over in both directions, so it can be used as a Nightstand for the Apple Watch with the iPhone half folded under, or it can prop an iPhone up in the proper orientation for StandBy mode by folding the Apple Watch half under.
Technically you're supposed to fold it flat when you're charging an iPhone and an Apple Watch at the same time, but I was able to put it in a triangle position to get StandBy mode working while the Apple Watch was also charging. I don't find StandBy mode that useful so I doubt I'll use it in that orientation when traveling, but it's an option.
In charging tests, the MagSafe charger did indeed charge my iPhone 15 Pro Max at 15W, and I got the same charging results that I see with Apple's own MagSafe charger. My close to dead Apple Watch Series 9 charged up to 84 percent in a little under an hour, which is what I expect from an Apple Watch fast charger.
If you wear an Apple Watch to bed, you probably know that an Apple Watch fast charger is a must to get enough battery to make it through the day in short charging spurts, so I appreciate that Twelve South included fast charge capabilities.
Both the Apple Watch charging puck and the MagSafe charger can charge the MagSafe AirPods, which makes this 2-in-1 charger almost as versatile as a 3-in-1 model.
Bottom Line
This is the most compact travel charger I've tried, and I have no complaints, except for the price tag. $130 is expensive, but it is using two of Apple's proprietary technologies - Apple Watch fast charging and MagSafe.
How to
The ButterFly charger from Twelve South can be purchased from the Twelve South website or from the Apple website for $130.
Article Link: Review: Twelve South's 'ButterFly' is a Great Travel
I'm confused by these pictures. Does it come in two different sizes?
For context here, I have small hands. It’s only one size, a little under 2.5 inches. Sorry for the confusion, I should probably avoid pics of objects in my hand going forward.
Don't ever apologize for that. But it might be worth pointing out in reviews that you have small hands.
If you like trickle charging.This one's better at half the price:
KU XIU Foldable Magnetic Wireless Charger, Aluminum Alloy 3 in 1 Charging Station for Apple, 15W Fast Mag-Safe Charger Stand for iPhone 15 14 13 12 Pro/Max/Plus, for AirPods 3/2/Pro,5W for iWatch-Gray
KU XIU Foldable Magnetic Wireless Charger, Aluminum Alloy 3 in 1 Charging Station for Apple, 15W Fast Mag-Safe Charger Stand for iPhone 15 14 13 12 Pro/Max/Plus, for AirPods 3/2/Pro,5W for iWatch-Graywww.amazon.com
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
This is a company with a $60 piece of metal for a laptop stand. They have a new $40 version that comes in pieces.
I was mostly just going to mock the $60 version, but who is still overpaying for the $40 that completely ditches the seamless chic/possibly complicated manufacturing that maybe/sorta justifies the $60?
$130 for magnetic extensions to a charging cable? Billed as a travel solution? Maybe for that George Clooney character who fired people for a living. He might need to pay a premium to have a pretty, familiar thing on all those hotel nightstands.
And, to be clear, if we were random strangers at an airport bar and he pulled that charger out to brag about how nice it was, I'd still just find it so sad.
I was mostly just going to mock the $60 version, but who is still overpaying for the $40 that completely ditches the seamless chic/possibly complicated manufacturing that maybe/sorta justifies the $60?
$130 for magnetic extensions to a charging cable? Billed as a travel solution? Maybe for that George Clooney character who fired people for a living. He might need to pay a premium to have a pretty, familiar thing on all those hotel nightstands.
And, to be clear, if we were random strangers at an airport bar and he pulled that charger out to brag about how nice it was, I'd still just find it so sad.
I've got pair of X58 and it feels premium. Not sure about charging speed, but it shows MagSafe ring and charge fast enough. For night charging doesn't matter and price is 1/3 of this Butterfly.This one's better at half the price:
KU XIU Foldable Magnetic Wireless Charger, Aluminum Alloy 3 in 1 Charging Station for Apple, 15W Fast Mag-Safe Charger Stand for iPhone 15 14 13 12 Pro/Max/Plus, for AirPods 3/2/Pro,5W for iWatch-Gray
KU XIU Foldable Magnetic Wireless Charger, Aluminum Alloy 3 in 1 Charging Station for Apple, 15W Fast Mag-Safe Charger Stand for iPhone 15 14 13 12 Pro/Max/Plus, for AirPods 3/2/Pro,5W for iWatch-Graywww.amazon.com
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
A while back I had a colleague who bought her phone chargers from a local dollar store. They'd invariably go bang after a short period of time, but she didn't care about that as they only cost a dollar each.
