🔌 Snap, Charge, Go! The future of charging is magnetic!
The A.S 9 PIN USB Magnetic Charging Cable offers a powerful 60W fast charging capability, a robust magnetic connection, and a versatile 6-in-1 design that supports multiple device types. With a rapid 480MB/s data transfer rate, this cable is perfect for both charging and data needs, making it an essential accessory for tech-savvy professionals.
T**D
Might be better than second generation? UPDATE: Definitely better than second generation.
This is a review of three magnetic charging cables by A.S.. Hopefully, it'll give you an idea of whether you need the third generation or if the second generation would be adequate. Prices are current as of 2023/07/30.1. ASIN: B07QWC4FZD. Second generation. USB-A plug. One cable each of 3.3ft and 6.6ft of straight connector and hinged connector. 12W output for Micro-USB, and 18W for USB-C. $17.99 (originally $19.99, with a $2 off coupon).2. ASIN: B07V37NW6X. Third generation. USB-C plug. A 6.6ft cable with a straight connector, a 3.3ft fixed 90 degree connector, and a 6.6ft fixed 90 degree connector. Includes a USB-A to USB-C adapter. 60W output for USB-C. $25.99.3. ASIN: B0C6G9745J. Third generation. USB-A plug. One cable each of 3.3ft and 6.6ft of straight connector and hinged connector. "18W(9V 2A)" and 2.4A (I'm guessing for 5V). $19.99 (originally $23.99, with a $4 off coupon).I started my magnetic charging journey six years ago. Not wanting to replace bazillion cables, I got a handful of Kript's magnetic charging adapter that connects to the end of an ordinary Micro-USB cable (ASIN: B06X95HCDS). I had their Gen 1, 3, and 5. Come to think of it, where was Gen 2, and 4? When many of them started to break, I replaced them with five sets (20 cables total) of the A.S. second generation cables to charge a variety of devices with mostly Micro -USB and USB-C, and a few with lightning.The A.S. second generation cables were OK except that the hinged mechanism is the biggest weakness. I'm guessing that with wear and tear, the sandwiched hinge gap becomes wider and the contacts separate and lose connection. The cables quit charging unless the tip was tilted to be forced to make contact. I tried squeezing the gaps closer with pliers, but that didn't help. Nearly all of the hinged ones have failed, which is a loss of about $50 for 10 cables.Another issue with the second generation (on one hinged cable) was that the magnet pulled out of the end of the cable, and it became unusable. It simply didn't charge without me pushing the cable into the device. I think my attempt to repair with superglue resulted in the glue seeping into the contacts and shorting it out. It went into the trash.Then came the third generation A.S. cables and plugs. It's been about a week of using the third generation cables. These definitely charge my phone with USB-C about 1.5 to 2 times higher mA per the Ampere app.As you've probably read, the third generation cable has 9 conductors and the plugs have 5 conductors in a circular fashion (versus the 5 conductor cable and 3 conductor plugs in the second generation). It would probably make more sense when you look at the photos of the plug and the cable, but in round magnetic charging cables and plugs (probably of any brand), the outside conductors of the cable make contact with the outermost conductor ring of the plug, then the next conductor pair of the cable contacts with the next inner ring, and so on, until the center conductor of the cable contacts with the center conductor of the plug. The third generation cables are not backward compatible with the second generation plugs. I wish that they were.An important thing to think about is this. There are a few situations where charging cables capable of PD and fast charging is useless. For one, Micro-USB charging speed tops out at 15W, so any device with Micro-USB can't do PD or fast charging. Then, if you're charging your device overnight, whatever it might be, you obviously don't need fast charging. If you can alter your habits and keep your device charged, you really don't have the need for fast charging. Finally, smaller devices like earbuds, headphones, bicycle lights are not usually capable of receiving PD or fast charging either.For me, most of my devices can't take full advantage of the third generation cables and plugs. For my phone, I'm usually OK with slow charging it. So I think I will continue to use what's left of the second generation cables and plugs.I will say that the A.S. plugs seem to be sturdy and have not broken apart unlike the Kript plugs which sometimes literally disintegrated, requiring pliers to pull out the bits stuck in the device. So, that's a plus. However, I did see that A.S. sells just the plugs, and some reviewers comment that their plugs broke within three months of frequent use, which is concerning. If one were to remove and reinsert the plugs, these will not last, so I wonder if that's what that reviewer did. I guess we will find out.A couple of other things. One of the USB-C plugs of the third generation charging cord is somewhat loose and can tilt side to side. (See photo with the cabinet door in the background.) Also, the hinged mechanism is different in the third generation, and it looks reinforced.****UPDATE 2023/08/20****I added a photo showing ferrous material that the magnet picked up when it grazed the footwell of a car. This is a problem that happens to any brand of magnetic charging cords, and care must be taken so the magnet doesn't touch the ground. The finest grains of ferrous sand would stop the charging.Now, the issue that is unique with the third generation cables is that they built a lip around the magnet (as you can see in the photo), which makes it very difficult to remove ferrous debris that is stuck on the magnet. In the second generation cables, the magnet is exposed without a lip, so all you have to do is wipe it with your finger to detach debris.This lip on the third generation cable is completely unnecessary for charging because the magnets are strong enough and the recessed area where the pins are make it so the cable doesn't slip off of the plug when attempting to attach or while charging.****UPDATE 2023/09/01****So, about the lip on the third generation cords, I hate it. I discovered a new issue. The material seems too weak, and the lip bends and deforms. When it deforms inward, the protruding lip doesn't go over the plug bit, and this gap makes it so it doesn't charge. I've added two photos showing a bent and deformed lip, and the same lip bent outward using pliers so that the charging surfaces matter properly. Tomorrow during the day, I'll probably take the Dremel and shave of the lip. I'm now bumping this review down to a three star.*****UPDATE 2023/10/10****So far, I've gone through four boxes of these cables, although not all in each box have failed. The most common failure point is the USB-C plug at the proximal end ripping out of the cable. Another failure I've had is the magnet pulling out. It looks like the magnet is glued into its slot, and maybe the magnet got stuck on the magnetic bit, and pulled out.Unfortunately, I can't seem to find a way to contact the manufacturer. Amazon was nice enough to replace two of these boxes, but I've had to pay out of pocket for two of the replacements. I'm lowering the review to a two star for these cables being too fragile.****UPDATE 2023/12/23****With normal use, the USB-C is pulling out of the cable. I am careful unplugging from the charging block. They are breaking in different USB-C ports, and most of the cables that have broken usually stay in use in the same port, and the rare occasion of unplugging seems to pull the plug right out. A quick look in the reviews show that no one else is having issues with the USB-C end breaking. Maybe I'm doing something wrong.What is fantastic though is that I messaged the manufacturer through the Amazon messaging system, and they sent me a new four pack! Thank you so much. For their great customer service, even if it breaks, I guess if they would send me replacements, I'm OK with it. It does function well.****UPDATE 2024/06/03****I haven't posted an update every single time there were issues, but I want to say how responsive and great the customer service is with this seller/manufacturer.I continue to have the same issues of the magnet pulling off the cable, the metal part of the USB-C pulling out of the housing, and what appears to be cable pulling out inside or at the USB-C (which I cannot tell for sure without cutting into it, but manipulation of the cable allows for charging to resume in a predictable way). I've had a few bits that broke upon impact with the ground, but that is to be expected.Each and every time I've reached customer service through the Amazon messaging service, they have sent replacements, and I am grateful. They say that the fourth edition should correct some of the issues, although the ETA is unknown.I've updated my review to a five star rating based on the excellent customer service.
D**.
Protect your phone by using this and keeping your power slot like new.
I really like the ease of installation and I bought these to keep the power slots on different devices clean and not be abused by constant plugging in and unplugging. That part is working great. On some items they don't fit really snug so you might have to find a way to hold them in place but I wish all power plugs were this simple and easy to use. Why did we go to usb/usc/usd/usf, when these work so much better. The only negative is that they should come with more of the little plug-in pieces because occasionally you lose them or you want more items to have this better charging capability.Truly worth the money to protect your charging ports on all your expensive items in my opinion.
E**.
1 of 6
I ordered 2 packs and in 1 I had a broken 6ft straight mag cord that will not work. I have tried different power boxes but it will not work. Other than that I love this product. Don't have box to return.
L**D
Not compatible with iPhone 14 pro max
So when these work with the iPhone, they work great. The problem is that several times randomly I will attach the cord and the phone does nothing. It doesn’t recognize it at all. I’ll try taking it off putting it on taking it off and it doesn’t charge. The only way to get it to work is to reboot the phone or remove the little adapter and plug it back into the phone. Then the phone recognize it. It’ll start charging right away. It’s really weird.I have a feeling it has something to do with the fact that these cables are not MFI certified and it’s messing with the iPhone software somehow. But it just got annoying enough that I am just going back to the regular MFI certified lightning cable. I have used many other brands of these types of magnetic cables with android for years and never had this issue. I suspect Apple is just very picky about stuff that it works with.
A**R
Makes for convenient charging. Customer service 10/10
I have been able to cut down on some clutter on my nightstand with these cables. I use devices with different connectors and I’m able to use less cables to keep all my devices charged. I use one of the cables in my vehicle with Apple car play and it works just like a regular cable but hi cad grab my phone and pull it away without worrying about breaking anything on the way out of the truck.One of the cables I originally purchased got damaged shortly after receiving and customer service sent a replacement quickly. These are great cables and adapters. I highly recommend.
K**R
Works well on type-c and Micro USB. Lighting adapter not lasting long.
I bought more than 5 packages of this product A.S Gen 3 PD 60W USB C to USB for the pass couple of months. The magnetic power is strong and charging really fast. The type-C and micro usb adapters work really well except for the lighting charging adapter. Not sure what happens to them, most of my lighting charging adapter, they don't last very long. Most of my lighting adapters they don't work any more.
S**K
These cables are an excellent upgrade from gen 1 cables.
I upgraded our entire household from Gen 1 (Single pin) cables to these. We have 2 adults, 2 teenagers, 3 vehicles, multiple charging stations, and 15 devices. I was able to replace all of our old cables, and utilize the new PD chargers at full speed for our newer phones and a couple of laptops. Android auto works, data transfer between laptop and phone works. I have a couple of devices that charge at 60W with no problem.These stay connected when rotated unlike the old single pin connectors that would momentarily stop charging when moved.I do wish they would sell more variety packs of different lengths, and more right angle cable lengths. It would be nice to have some 1' cables with the 90 degree end. It would also be nice to have some adapters to put on existing USB-C cables to make them compatible. (or very short USB-C female to 9 pin magnetic cable end.)I hope the 9-pin Gen3 connector becomes the new standard, because it solved all the problems that I had with the Gen1 system.
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3 weeks ago
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