Review: The cable that brought magnetic charging to my smartphone and laptop – Connect Pro

Gadget charging cables can be a real headache, but Chargeasap is tackling this issue with the Connect Pro cable. This cable not only connects to a wide range of devices with different connectors but also brings the convenience of Apple-style magnetic charging to any smartphone or laptop while displaying the charging power.

Apple’s Magsafe charging solution for laptops simplifies the connection process, making it easy and convenient. You don’t have to search for the charging port, and if someone accidentally trips over the cable, it disconnects without pulling the laptop along. Chargeasap, an Australian company specializing in charging products sold through the crowdfunding site Kickstarter, has developed a charging cable that brings Magsafe functionality to any laptop or smartphone, adding a few extra tricks along the way.

The Connect Pro cable transformed the charging process for my devices, making it magnetic. I no longer needed to precisely align the connector with my smartphone, laptop, tablet, or earbud case. I simply brought the cable close to the desired device, and it snapped into place like a magnet. This elegant solution made connecting the cable a fun experience. Chargeasap offers the cable in a 1.2-meter length, more than enough for my needs, and in a black or gray-black fabric-covered design, giving it a relatively sleek appearance for a cable. One end of the cable features a USB-C connector, while the other end has no connector at all, just a magnetic adapter. The adapter uses an N52 magnet, described by the company as the strongest commercial magnet available, capable of supporting up to 1.1 kg of weight. At least with my Galaxy Z Flip 6 smartphone, it didn’t fall even when I swung it in the air. However, a slight touch on the connector could easily dislodge it.

In terms of durability, Chargeasap claims the cable is designed with a reinforced neck to prevent fraying and includes a small rubber cable tie for easy storage. The cable itself also doesn’t tangle.

Chargeasap Connect Pro: Three Different Connectors

As mentioned, in addition to the cable, there are magnetic connectors available in three versions: USB-C, Lightning, and Micro-USB. The easily detachable connectors fit into different devices, allowing you to work with just one cable. I would have appreciated more USB-C connectors in the package, as this is the primary connection I need. One connector isn’t enough because, although it can be disconnected from the laptop or smartphone, it doesn’t detach easily and requires fingernails or a sharp object to separate it.

Another issue is that I wanted to leave the connector permanently in my smartphone, but since I had to remove it every time I got into my car to connect to the media system, I gave up on that idea (for those with wireless connections to their car's media system, this won’t be a problem). Instead, I used the cable to charge other devices.

The Ideal Use Case

For me, the ideal use case is with my 2020 MacBook Air, which comes with a USB-C charging port. With the Connect Pro, it suddenly turned into a Magsafe-like connection. I connected the Lightning adapter to my AirPods, making the cable easily serve both devices.

Connect Pro Has Another Trick Up Its Sleeve

One of the things that interest me when charging my smartphone or tablet is whether I’m getting the optimal charging speed (I know, it’s a critical question). The Connect Pro features a small LED screen that allowed me to easily check the charging power my device was receiving at any given moment. It’s a small addition, but one that any tech enthusiast will appreciate. Another nice feature incorporated into the cable is a tiny green indicator light on the side that connects to the smartphone/tablet. The light turned on when I connected the cable to the laptop, letting me know that charging was indeed taking place.

The cable supports charging up to 100 watts via USB-C, 27 watts via Lightning, and 12 watts via Micro USB.

Price: NIS 85 ($23) for the cable with one adapter through the Kickstarter site, instead of NIS 220 ($60). Estimated delivery is in October.

Bottom Line: The Connect Pro offers an elegant solution for those looking for a convenient way to bring magnetic charging to their laptop. For smartphones, it’s a bit more complicated, as I believe the package should include more USB-C connectors to avoid manually switching the connector between earbuds, tablets, and other gadgets.