The Twelve South Forté turns Apple’s MagSafe iPhone charging puck right into a stand. So somewhat than your handset mendacity flat on a desk, it’s held up so you may extra simply see the show. And the elevated charging mat swivels so you may decide your viewing angle for watching video or making FaceTime calls.
I put the Forté to make use of in my house workplace. Right here’s what it’s like to make use of in actual life.
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Twelve South Forté evaluation
The iPhone 12, 13 and 14 collection supply an improved type of wi-fi charging that makes use of magnets to align the handset to the charger. These magnets make MagSafe a blessing to iPhone charging stands. They let the handset and the charger cling collectively.
Clip an Apple MagSafe Charger into the Twelve South Forté, and the stand can maintain up your handset the place it’s simpler to see and to make use of.
And, after all, the mix is charging the iOS system whereas holding it up. And searching good whereas doing it. Particularly as a result of the iPhone seems to be floating over your desktop.
{Hardware} and design
The bottom of the Twelve South Forté measures 3.25 inches large by 4.25 inches deep. It’s weighted with metallic inserts, so the entire accent weighs virtually a pound. You aren’t more likely to knock it over. A assist strut attaches to the bottom with a detachable screw. On the finish of this strut is a round clip that holds the charger.
Simply so there’s no confusion, the Forté itself isn’t a charger and doesn’t include one. It features a round holder for the Apple MagSafe charging puck. That is set on a hinge that swivels.
As a result of the iPhone is held to the charger with magnets, you may put its display in panorama or portrait — it’s your selection. Or something in between. The swiveling hinge just under the charging pad allows you to angle the display over 70 levels to level it instantly towards your face for video calls — a function not each iPhone stand gives. And the hinge isn’t flimsy, so it stays the place you place it.
A strong MagSafe stand
Eradicating the handset from the stand is as simple as selecting it up. However don’t be involved it’ll fall off. The MagSafe magnets maintain the iPhone in place tightly. I can faucet on the display, even thump the entrance or again of the handset, with out it coming unfastened.
The ability cable for the MagSafe charging puck suits right into a slot within the assist strut, so it stays principally out of sight.
Picture: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
All of the Twelve South Forté elements are white plastic. It seems skilled, and goes properly with Apple’s choice for white equipment. Nonetheless, a black or darkish grey model would have been good, too.
The stand isn’t actually supposed for journey. However the two elements of the stand will be separated by eradicating a screw. This implies you could possibly take them aside and put them in a bag. You’d have to hold a small hex key in your equipment, although.
Efficiency
As famous, the Twelve South Forté is a holder for the official Apple MagSafe Charger. This delivers 15W, the quickest wi-fi charging choice out there for an iOS system.
In my hands-on testing, it raises the battery stage of an iPhone 12 between 25% and 30% in half an hour.
As a result of the accent requires MagSafe, it really works properly with something within the iPhone 12, 13 and 14 lineups (Moreover, some adapters let earlier iPhones use MagSafe equipment.)
Twelve South Forté remaining ideas
Picture: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
MagSafe is an actual boon for charging stands. The magnets constructed into the handsets and charger allow them to simply join and detach. The Twelve South Forté takes correct benefit of the system. And its capacity to angle the display instantly on the person makes it a greater choice than a few of its rivals.
Apple likes this system sufficient to offer it a cameo throughout the iPhone 13 launch occasion. And the iPhone-maker sells it instantly.
★★★★☆
Pricing
The Forté is obtainable now on TwelveSouth.com. It retails for $39.95. As famous, the accent additionally will be discovered on Apple.com and in Apple shops worldwide at that very same worth. And it’s within the Cult of Mac Retailer, too.
Purchase from: Cult of Mac Retailer
Simply keep in mind you’re going to wish an Apple MagSafe Charger. The retail worth for that is $39, however you may usually discover it for much less.
Comparable merchandise
The Mophie Snap+ Wi-fi Charging Stand is much less versatile however comes with a built-in charger. It sells for $59.95. Make sure to learn my evaluation.
And there’s the Belkin Enhance↑Cost Professional 2-in-1 Wi-fi Charger Stand. It additionally isn’t versatile, however can concurrently cost an AirPods case, which explains why it prices $99.95. I reviewed this accent, too.
Twelve South supplied Cult of Mac with a evaluation unit for this text. See our critiques coverage, and take a look at different in-depth critiques of Apple-related gadgets. We initially printed this evaluation on December 15, 2021. We up to date it to incorporate compatibility with the iPhone 14 lineup.
