[Q] Magnetic Charger Concerns - Xperia Z2 Accessories

I've ordered the Z2 and it should be coming to my door any day now. When I realized that a magnetic charger might be a good idea to prevent wear of the microUSB port I started to look at the options available. Unfortunately the charging dock sold by Sony is too expensive in my opinion and I would like to find an off-brand alternative. I've looked through the posts on this forum and have come to understand that putting the charger in the wrong direction could be a big mistake. I'm still willing to buy just a cable but would prefer a dock to help prevent this.
My questions is does anyone have a suggestion for a dock(preferable) / cable?
I found this cable on amazon:
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00...pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1947489602&pf_rd_i=915398
PS: A lot of docks on amazon have some bad reviews and I'm wary of buying them

I was in the same boat. The Sony dock looks nice like but it was fairly expensive.
I just ordered this last week:
http://www.amazon.ca/Magnector-Perf..._1_2?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1421124799&sr=1-2

I've got genuine Sony and this one as well. Sony charger is cut more precisely, phone is held exactly as it should with no wiggle etc. But this alone doesn't justify 10 times higher price. The cheapo one does the job in the same way, I see no difference in charging speed. For example this cable is OK as well. If you don't mind waiting for delivery (it takes about 4 weeks to Europe), I can only recommend these products and Aliexpress site.
Regarding the cables with LED indicator - I've got one and even if it's interesting I don't find it useful. LED light is always on and when it reaches ~95% battery threshold it starts to flicker until fully charged, then the color changes to solid again.

Is it hard to screw up the direction of the charger? I've heard it will completely discharge the battery (It shorts the terminals?)
Also, is there a thin case that has a slot for the magnetic charging / what cases do you use if any?
Thanks for the info guys!

Theoretically the plastic around the terminals should prevent the connector from actually connecting "the wrong way" but in practice it can still happen, especially if you insist in moving and pushing the cable.
If the cable is coming out from "the middle" of the connector is easier to put it wrong (otherwise is easy to remember the cable has to go from the middle of the phone to the bottom so is much harder to make the mistake). However because the phone is so symetric you might confuse the front with the back and put it in reverse even in the docking station.
And last but not least make sure you have good warranty - it is possible that the magnet will "suck out" the connector from the phone, mine is barely hanging and is supposed to be from the batch that fixed this issue.

I have the original Sony dock as well as a third party dock. I also have a magnetic adapter for micro USB. All are working fine. Here are the links:
Third party dock - this works fine with my Z2 even though the title says Z3.
Micro USB adapter

Thanks for the reply unni_kmr, unfortunately I'm in Canada and I can't order through amazon.com easily. (Also that isn't on amazon.ca)
Anyone have input on whether I should get this dock for $15?
http://www.amazon.ca/Patec®-Magneti...=UTF8&qid=1421438530&sr=1-15&keywords=z2+case
Also, I'm looking for a case that's slim but doesn't impede the magnetic charging port. Any suggestions?
EDIT: Found this case, might try to cut a charging hole myself
http://www.amazon.ca/Xcessor-Vapour...id=1421440356&sr=8-2&keywords=z2+case+xcessor

WGuitar said:
Also, I'm looking for a case that's slim but doesn't impede the magnetic charging port. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have a case. I am using the Mocolo tempered glass on front and back. I bought it from here. Its very thin glass. Even with it on the front and back, the phone slides into the docks easily.

slow charging speed
hi there, i recently updated my Z2 , to 4.4.4 and everything is absolutely as expected but magnetic charging speed has taken a serious blow. with 4.4.2 it was as fast as normal cable charging but now with 4.4.4 it has become extremely slow , almost takes 8 minutes to charge 1%, and more than 8-9 hrs to fully charge ..
anyone else facing a similar issue .....kindly suggest solutions.:crying:
thanks

WGuitar said:
I've ordered the Z2 and it should be coming to my door any day now. When I realized that a magnetic charger might be a good idea to prevent wear of the microUSB port I started to look at the options available. Unfortunately the charging dock sold by Sony is too expensive in my opinion and I would like to find an off-brand alternative. I've looked through the posts on this forum and have come to understand that putting the charger in the wrong direction could be a big mistake. I'm still willing to buy just a cable but would prefer a dock to help prevent this.
My questions is does anyone have a suggestion for a dock(preferable) / cable?
I found this cable on amazon:
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00...pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1947489602&pf_rd_i=915398
PS: A lot of docks on amazon have some bad reviews and I'm wary of buying them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean by putting the charger in the wrong direction could be bad. Do you mean the magnetic charger can only work in one specific direction?

y300owner said:
What do you mean by putting the charger in the wrong direction could be bad. Do you mean the magnetic charger can only work in one specific direction?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not only it can work in only one direction but even worse if you manage to make it connect in reverse it might break the phone or the battery. Yay Sony!

d210 said:
Not only it can work in only one direction but even worse if you manage to make it connect in reverse it might break the phone or the battery. Yay Sony!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use a "magnetron" cable for several moths now and never had any issues with it.
It is not possible to connect it in the wrong orientation.
I'm really happy with it and would absolutely buy it again.

kuhno said:
I use a "magnetron" cable for several moths now and never had any issues with it.
It is not possible to connect it in the wrong orientation.
I'm really happy with it and would absolutely buy it again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very expensive cable though...

And if you wiggle it a bit I'm sure you can make contact with it even in reverse. I assume it is using like any other cable the normal "mechanical protection" which consists in a tiny (fraction of a mm) extra plastic on the "lower" pin from magnetic connector.

Related

New dock that allows cases on it

Just found this at amazon and it allows you to charge your S2 with a case on it..
http://www.amazon.com/Sinjimoru-Sta...VKH0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1318089770&sr=8-3
Hmm that looks interesting. I wonder how stable it is.
There are some video reviews for it on youtube. It looks pretty stable...
That looks nicer than having tto take my phone out of the case to work with the infuse dock
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
want one.. in yellow or white.. xD
wish it had audio port
falcon26 said:
Just found this at amazon and it allows you to charge your S2 with a case on it..
http://www.amazon.com/Sinjimoru-Sta...VKH0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1318089770&sr=8-3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya...I bought that dock and it's *crap*. Received it today at work and used it for about 1/3 of the day. My desk is completely flat and with the *slightest* tip (or even the headphone cord moving while plugged in) the entire thing rolls backwards. I had to push it up against one of my monitors to keep it upright. On top of it, the entire thing feels *really* cheap (like it could break at any moment) and the phone isn't even kept stationary on top of it. It relies on the cable connection to keep it upright...which is doesn't. The phone moves around without a problem.
Overall, not worth the money. I'll be sending it back tomorrow.
hotleadsingerguy said:
Ya...I bought that dock and it's *crap*. Received it today at work and used it for about 1/3 of the day. My desk is completely flat and with the *slightest* tip (or even the headphone cord moving while plugged in) the entire thing rolls backwards. I had to push it up against one of my monitors to keep it upright. On top of it, the entire thing feels *really* cheap (like it could break at any moment) and the phone isn't even kept stationary on top of it. It relies on the cable connection to keep it upright...which is doesn't. The phone moves around without a problem.
Overall, not worth the money. I'll be sending it back tomorrow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yikes! I just ordered one of these.
I'm finding that charging the phone in a case is a real problem unless I use the stock usb cord. I have a zillion other cables that work but not with a case. Not psyched about ordering more stock cables. I bet the official dock doesn't work with a case.
Any other solutions with extended connectors for use in a case??
I just got mine and it is not exactly what I expected but it does get the job done. I do not have any stability issues with it, I can actually tilt it backwards about 25 degrees with my phone on it before it falls backward, I do think it would benefit from some extra mass but with the phone on it I have not problem with it. I have the Ballistic case on mine and my problem was that the cable that came with this dock would not reach far enough into my device to make a connection because my case basically adds some depth to the port. I had two choices, either modify my case or the dock. What I ended up having to do was modify the cable that came with the dock with a longer micro usb port at the end so that it would make contact while on the base. Although I agree that this dock could be better, it does accomplish what I needed it to, just needed some help. I have a dock for every one of my devices, but this is the first one that lets me leave my case on.
BigBopper said:
Yikes! I just ordered one of these.
I'm finding that charging the phone in a case is a real problem unless I use the stock usb cord. I have a zillion other cables that work but not with a case. Not psyched about ordering more stock cables. I bet the official dock doesn't work with a case.
Any other solutions with extended connectors for use in a case??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For charging micro USB cables you could try to locate one of the ones for the nook color. Worked fine on my old captivate and works great on my new sgs2 even with the case on.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
My gs2 fits in my infuse dock with my tpu case on like it was made for it!
sent from my gs2....War Eagle!
would it be possible to use the mhl adapter cable and turn this into a tv dock? i dont know if you could replace the larger usb cable that is included and swap it with the mhl one and have power to it and hdmi conencted at all times.
has anyone tried this who bought this item?

Magnetic Cord charges phone, but phone case doesn't?

So, this is kind of an odd problem, but I'm not even sure where to begin with it.
So I've currently own two phone cases: The CP12 straight from Sony, and the Brando Case from what I can only assume is the deepest parts of cheap things China.
Anywho, last night my CP12 stopped charging my phone. Just flat out acts like it's not connected on both fronts (My phone doesn't acknowledge being plugged in and my case doesn't think a phone is plugged in. Annoyed, but whatever.
This morning my Brando case arrived and I tried it out, and, same thing. Neither the case nor the phone acknowledge that they're connected to each other.
Now, normally, this leads one to believe that the magnetic port is busted, right? But here's the weird thing: The magnetic cord I got with the CP12 DOES work when I plug it straight into the phone- It works completely fine, as a matter of fact.
Just curious if anyone else has seen this problem and has a solution. I hadn't changed anything on the software front between working and not- I just noticed at one point that the case wouldnt' charge the phone.\
EDIT: My phone exists in a quantum state of just wanting to annoy me.
Shadow of Chaos said:
So, this is kind of an odd problem, but I'm not even sure where to begin with it.
So I've currently own two phone cases: The CP12 straight from Sony, and the Brando Case from what I can only assume is the deepest parts of cheap things China.
Anywho, last night my CP12 stopped charging my phone. Just flat out acts like it's not connected on both fronts (My phone doesn't acknowledge being plugged in and my case doesn't think a phone is plugged in. Annoyed, but whatever.
This morning my Brando case arrived and I tried it out, and, same thing. Neither the case nor the phone acknowledge that they're connected to each other.
Now, normally, this leads one to believe that the magnetic port is busted, right? But here's the weird thing: The magnetic cord I got with the CP12 DOES work when I plug it straight into the phone- It works completely fine, as a matter of fact.
Just curious if anyone else has seen this problem and has a solution. I hadn't changed anything on the software front between working and not- I just noticed at one point that the case wouldnt' charge the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
check the output on your case. If its under 500mAh then it wont charge through the magnetic dock. You've probably noticed the USB wont charge through the magnetic dock either. So possibly the output has been disrupted in the case and is under 500.. ?? Thats all i can think of.
hamdogg said:
check the output on your case. If its under 500mAh then it wont charge through the magnetic dock. You've probably noticed the USB wont charge through the magnetic dock either. So possibly the output has been disrupted in the case and is under 500.. ?? Thats all i can think of.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
... You know, I said I wouldn't make a stupid topic about this, so I'd check a couple of times. And it didn't charge then.
And now the CP12 does charge the phone. When nothing has changed. The Brando doesn't, which is a shame, but meh.
Thanks for the help regardless.
EDIT: Oh, to clarify, I don't have a magnetic dock, so that's not a test. Still, things work, so...

Magnetic charging adapters

Right guys I'm so ticked off right now. I bought two adapters. One a couple months ago. I lost it. Another one (the deff one from clove) a few weeks ago. I also lost that. Because they were both £10+ each its pissed me off a bit more.
My question is has anyone bought one which is good and has a strong magnet? I was considering these Sony cables that are on eBay, obviously fakes for the price they are but I'm not sure. What's your guys opinions?
Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk
been using the magnector x for quite a while now and haven't had any issues
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00JEN5S6A/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1411846758&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70
Sent from my Xperia Z2 using XDA Free mobile app
Careful.....
.....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Aluminu..._PDA_Cables_Adapters&var=&hash=item1e8ea39e32
Bought this one 4 month ago; works well but be careful not to attach it the wrong way!!!
It will instantly discharge your battery and/or a fried motherboard as happened to me here :
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z2/help/q-t2846982/post55359250#post55359250
Hi, I recevied a magnetic cable bought on ebay (10 euro). I tried it yesterday for the first time and after 6hours of charger the battery level was 52%. The magnetic connection is no strong and I think that cable doesn't work properly.
I will try to buy the adaptor suggest by @tonysunshine
i brought this one over 6 months ago works perfect only goes on one way says + / - on the plug if put on wrong way phone will turn itself off so not sure how MotoXoom fried his ?
+ goes at the top
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Magnetic-...9H-Reliable-/201075389377?hash=item2ed106f3c1
i haven't used one myself yet. but a friend bought magnector x cable. and it seems to work pretty fine. magnet is strong charges quick. but not as fast as official dock or usb. but it seems pretty nice as most of the cases are not dock compatible.
http://www.amazon.com/Magnector-Per...qid=1411902689&sr=8-1&keywords=magnector+x+z2
I agree the magnector x is pretty good and the magnet is not all that bad, one thing to mention is that the magnector x is not compatible with all cases as the sides may disconnect the magnet.
My first one was the magnector-x but I found with that when I picked up the phone it would just fall off. Same with the deff. The problem I had with that is the fact that the charger wire seemed to be in opposite direction to the connector and therefore ended up not sitting correctly
Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk
I don't understand what you people doing with these third party cables. don't you know that there is an original cable from Sony Coded EC21???
Sent from my D6503 using XDA Free mobile app
Yeah which is not available in all regions. Otherwise I'd definitely get that. I firmly believe in using genuine accessories and not third party
Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk
killalot said:
i brought this one over 6 months ago works perfect only goes on one way says + / - on the plug if put on wrong way phone will turn itself off so not sure how MotoXoom fried his ?
+ goes at the top
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Magnetic-...9H-Reliable-/201075389377?hash=item2ed106f3c1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MotoXoom bought a charger cable that does not have the cut off feature or detects that the charge has been connected the wrong way. So he basically shorted out hsi phone because it did not cut out. This was NOT a magnector-x adapter
The cable i brought doesn’t have a cut off feature? The phone has it, if you put a positive on a positive the phone shuts off.
As far as I know there is no protection whatsoever except for the mechanical small asymmetry (look at the phone connector and compare the "lower" with "upper" plastic tabs).
Certainly there is no electronic protection in the phone. Some phones survived "reverse connection", some not.
I don't think it can be any electronic protection in the cable or charger; they are designed to give out 0.5-1-2A and certainly that are most likely enough to fry the phone. MAYBE some wimpy chargers aren't capable of that but it's better to assume all are dangerous.
Has anyone ever tried one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161404030047?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT or http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Magnetic-...lePhonesCasesPouches&var=&hash=item4d2641788c
Thanks!
Yeah, i have one of those at home... black and shiny blue when plugged.
They work. But i find the charging speed lacking.
well the magnetic charging lasted me a few weeks and now the magnetic charge port is slowly coming off! *sigh* this is most definitely the last sony phone i purchase
A|ex said:
well the magnetic charging lasted me a few weeks and now the magnetic charge port is slowly coming off! *sigh* this is most definitely the last sony phone i purchase
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you tell us the "week" of the device? You can go under the right flap, there's some plastic tray (similar to the sim tray on the left) there should be the IMEI and some other info, including something like 14W15 (meaning for example 2014 week 15). I've heard the ones after 18 shouldn't have the "unglued magnetic port" problem.
But yes, I really had to get the device for the 2 feature missing on most other phone (waterproof with external no-flap-removal charging and lanyard attachment point) but the S5 would've been better in every other way. Including the fact that 5>2 and it seems it counts. Probably Z5 would be perfect, if we ever get to that.
I have a pain in the bum case on atm and it will some work removing it. I just had another look at the magnetic port and yes it can be completely removed by just the magnet. From looking at the port there appears to be two pins and what appears to be some glue in the middle.
Could I not just super glue the port back into the phone?
If I look closely enough I can see that pressing down on the magnetic port opens up a smallish gap which I would assume would let water in.
My magnetic port moves too if a push it (even a little). And it was supposed to be from the new fixed batches.
WTF Sony? Metal and glass phone, parts held together by spit.
tonysunshine said:
been using the magnector x for quite a while now and haven't had any issues
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00JEN5S6A/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1411846758&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70
Sent from my Xperia Z2 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have this as well, it's the only adapter that actually charges my phone in my car. Even the stock dock doesn't work! Very good magnet as well.

Magnetor Charger

Anyone try Magnetor X... http://www.amazon.com/Magnector-Performance-Magnetic-Charging-Adapter/dp/B00JEN5S6A/ref=sr_1_1?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1412040478&sr=1-1
It seems like a great alternative to the dock... I don't want to always be taking out the thing to plug in... Magnetic and call it a day.\
I just bought three, arrived before my wife's Z3C (I'm getting the T-mobile Z3 when it's released). Look high quality enough.
I ordered one which it appears is in the same package as the phone so hopefully today or tomorrow. I'll report back if no-one else has by the time it arrives.
I heard these may not have enough clearance if you have certain cases on your phone.
clearance is limited, but the magnet has real bite - the only criticism is that it can lean away from the screen towards the rear of the phone, although that depends entirely how you hold it once attached - no led indicator, but the phone does that for you, and no issues as to the effectiveness of the charge (I've used 36% battery on the first day with moderate/reasonable use) - not perfect, just a lot better than you thought it would be......
rmd0311 said:
Anyone try Magnetor X... http://www.amazon.com/Magnector-Performance-Magnetic-Charging-Adapter/dp/B00JEN5S6A/ref=sr_1_1?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1412040478&sr=1-1
It seems like a great alternative to the dock... I don't want to always be taking out the thing to plug in... Magnetic and call it a day.\
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One girl on here that I talk to said she's been using the magnetic charger on her Z2 and absolutely loves it! So I think it's worth buying (already did actually lol, but waiting for Z3 as I have the HTC One M8 right now until it gets released here in the U.S., so have to wait and see). Apparently it charges twice as fast as the regular USB wall charger does.
RockStar2005
Right, I have one of these now and can report it's excellent. The magnet is pretty strong so holds to the phone well. Only problem I've found is that the Smart Connect app sees it as the same as the dock which is a little annoying as I used the dock at night to do things like turn off bluetooth and start Sleepbot etc.
I also bought an actual magnetic charging cable (this one: http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/magnetic-charging-cable-sony-xperia-z3-z3-compact-z2-black-p41526.htm) and the magnet on that is far weaker and comes off if you touch the phone at all while charging.
I definitely recommend the Magnetor X
thanks! i definitely am going to try this!
3Shirts said:
Right, I have one of these now and can report it's excellent. The magnet is pretty strong so holds to the phone well. Only problem I've found is that the Smart Connect app sees it as the same as the dock which is a little annoying as I used the dock at night to do things like turn off bluetooth and start Sleepbot etc.
I also bought an actual magnetic charging cable (this one: http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/magnetic-charging-cable-sony-xperia-z3-z3-compact-z2-black-p41526.htm) and the magnet on that is far weaker and comes off if you touch the phone at all while charging.
I definitely recommend the Magnetor X
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3Shirts,
The cable I bought is this one, which is made by Magnector X: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JEMESHG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The reviews for it appear to be strongly favorable, so I am confident it will work great. What brand is the one you posted though? Can't find the maker name anywhere.
If you scroll down on mine, it says that Magnector makes this charger with Japanese parts not Chinese, so that may be the difference? Not sure. People who I've talked to on here who have the Z2 or Z3 and this charger cable say it's amazing too. So I definitely agree with your statement, though I have yet to try it out (I have the cable but waiting for Z3's release here in the U.S. lol).
RockStar2005
RockStar2005 said:
3Shirts,
The cable I bought is this one, which is made by Magnector X: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JEMESHG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The reviews for it appear to be strongly favorable, so I am confident it will work great. What brand is the one you posted though? Can't find the maker name anywhere.
If you scroll down on mine, it says that Magnector makes this charger with Japanese parts not Chinese, so that may be the difference? Not sure. People who I've talked to on here who have the Z2 or Z3 and this charger cable say it's amazing too. So I definitely agree with your statement, though I have yet to try it out (I have the cable but waiting for Z3's release here in the U.S. lol).
RockStar2005
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since it's also Magnector I would assume the magnets on that are as good as the ones on the adapter so it's probably great. Looks to basically the same but a fully wired version rather than being a microusb adapter like the OP.
I myself have also purchased this magnetic cable check out my review in the other magnetic cable thread. :good:
3Shirts said:
Since it's also Magnector I would assume the magnets on that are as good as the ones on the adapter so it's probably great. Looks to basically the same but a fully wired version rather than being a microusb adapter like the OP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I agree. Thanks.
The one I got's connector is smaller and I thought that made it more practical.
RockStar2005
Deleted. Wrong thread.
Just tried mine. Works much much better then the cheap one I bought on ebay. The magnet keeps it in place if you move the phone around, when the cheap one would fall off.
Sent from my D6603 using XDA Free mobile app
How does the chraging time compare to USB port?
abhinav.tella said:
How does the chraging time compare to USB port?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I heard speeds are great. However, there are no data to support that claim. I bought both the Magnetor X wire and adapter to test out the sizes, convenience, etc.--they will be coming later this week. I am discharging my phone until it goes 1% or so, then charge with various cables and adapters I have in hand (including OEM). Then compare it with the Magnetor X.

C6833 magnetic charge connector fell off...

I use the DK30 charging dock and occasionally a usb magnetic charging cable. Actually I haven't opened the USB for a couple of months now. However, today I was surprised to see that the magnetic connector from the phone was left in the dock
Has anyone had a similar issue and how you fix it? My ZU is still under warranty, however in another country. I'm considering gluing it back in with something, but I'm unsure whether it would be sufficient for the waterproofing.
I searched around a little, and it looks like you're not the only one facing this issue. The Z2 and the Z3C users have also reported that the magnetic connector falls off. Here's a thread about the Z2's issues. One user managed to fix it himself though by, and I quote:
Here's what I did with mine.
All I did was I got a AAA battery and used the + end of the battery and forced it in real hard. Now it won't come out. Even with the very stong magtron magnet. It must have clipped back into place when I forced it in.
Also my phone is waterproof again as I tested it by dunking it in a bowl of water.
Might not work with everyone but worked for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could try that, and if it doesn't work, then you could possibly glue it back on. What country are you currently in, and where did you buy it from?

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