Belkin's new dual-charging iPhone + Apple Watch Charge Dock gets a cheaper price tag
Belkin's trimmed the production costs of its new Powerhouse Charge Dock in an effort to make it a more mainstream product.
In case you missed it, late last year Belkin put out the Valet Charge Dock for Apple Watch + iPhone. As its name implies, it can charge both your iPhone and Apple Watch simultaneously and was one of the few Apple Watch accessories that had an integrated wireless charging puck. It was a great dock -- and swanky looking -- but it was pricey at $150 (it's now down to $130).
Now Belkin has a new, more affordable dual charging dock, the Powerhouse Charge Dock for Apple Watch + iPhone, which costs $99 (we're still gathering international pricing and will update the post when we get it).
It's missing the sleek aluminum trim and chrome pedestal of the earlier dock -- yes, the expensive bits had to be cut to get the cost down -- but it's still an attractive-looking dock, has some nice heft to it, and worked well in my initial charging trials.
Here are its key features, according to Belkin:
- Built-in Apple Watch magnetic charging module with integrated Lightning connector for the iPhone
- Integrated 2-in-1 charging solution optimally charges the Apple Watch and iPhone simultaneously
- Elevated design keeps the Apple Watch and iPhone more protected and easier to see while charging
- MFi certification ensures that this product passed rigorous mechanical, stress, and electrical tests per Apple standards
"Most people who have an Apple watch also have an iPhone, so a combined charging solution just makes sense," says Melody Saffery, senior director of product management at Belkin. "The Powerhouse Charge Dock is designed with the consumer in mind -- it organically integrates both chargers into its design so all you need to do is plug it in and go."
The dock has a knob on the back that adjusts the height of the the Lightning tip so you can charge a phone with its case on.
Belkin says the Powerhouse Charge Dock is available at Best Buy and other leading retailers globally and supports Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport, Apple Watch Edition, iPhone SE, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone 6S, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C and iPhone 5.
