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Now that the iPhone 12 line and the new iPhone 13 line support MagSafe, car mounts using this technology have become more and more popular. We took four of the most popular and put them through an impact test to see which ones protected our phones.
When publisher Mike Wuerthele was in a relatively low-speed crash, his iPhone 11 in a MagSafe case designed to add functionality to the old device was released for free. Given this failure, we decided to test the functionality with iPhones that fully support MagSafe, with a series of MagSafe dashboard adapters that clip onto a vent.
For this test, we simulated a low-speed car crash to demonstrate how the mounts magnetically hold our iPhone over bumps, sudden stops, and minor impacts.
Our test setup
To run our test, we needed two components.
Our MagSafe Vent Mount Platform
We first had to create a platform that would hold our car ventilation brackets that we could descend a ramp at controlled speeds. To do this, we attached a replacement car vent to two pieces of wood that we mounted on a miniature skateboard. It had to be strong itself to withstand the expected impacts.
Our test ramp
Our ramp was made of a metal roofing sheet. Its ridges provided a straight track for our rig so that it could roll up the ramp without veering over one edge or swerving too much side to side. It was lifted into the air to a final height of about three feet, giving it an incline of about 16 degrees.
The crash stop was a piece of reinforced plywood. It was placed perpendicular to the ramp and held in place by sand.
By combining all the information about the assembly, including height, ramp length, ramp angle, and platform weight, an approximation of the final speed at the point of impact can be calculated. .
Considering the existing setup, the iPhone 13 Pro Max on each of the MagSafe compatible carriers suddenly stopped at just under 10 miles per hour.
Our iPhone 13 Pro Max was housed in a MagSafe case and had a glass screen protector applied. We also covered the rough tape on the skateboard with softer tape.
Participants
Four of the most popular MagSafe compatible car mounts enter our testing arena. All of them connect to your vehicle’s vents and offer similar magnetic connections.
Belkin Vent Mount Pro
The Belkin Vent Mount Pro is the only MagSafe car mount certified by Apple. It uses Apple’s own MagSafe component, unlike others that have had to clone their own magnetic attachment point.
ESR HaloLock
The ESR HaloLock car holder has been included in the roundup. This has an extra arm underneath that helps stabilize the entire mount, clipped to the vent. It also has a built-in Qi wireless charger to power your phone while you are driving and using CarPlay wirelessly.
Mophie Snap frame
Mophie’s Snap ventilation mount has been tested and works not only with MagSafe phones, but also with any phone that uses the company’s Snap adapter.
The iOttie Velox
Finally, there is the latest iOttie Velox vent mount. It can also charge your phone via the non-removable USB-C cable.
Results
After performing our tests, we found that three of the four held up on impact. Belkin, ESR, and iOttie all refused to let go of our iPhone 13 Pro Max. We have tested each one several times and these have always kept our phone mounted.
Mophie’s Snap mount failed to hold our iPhone 13 Pro Max in a 10 MPH test
Only the Mophie Snap mount allows our iPhone to fly. You can see it for yourself in our video above as the impact rocked our phone, sending it flying. Good thing we applied this case and screen protector.
Evaluating these results is another matter. There are many variables that determine whether these same mounts will stand up to you. It depends on your vents, whether the brackets have started moving without frequent use, the force of your impact, which case (if any) you are using, and more.
With the same phone, same vent, and same impact, we can conclusively say that iOttie, ESR, and Belkin were all stronger and more united.
That said, if you only watch daily use with no crashes, all four will work almost the same. Conversely, during a high speed impact, they will surely all drop your phone.
They are still relatively weak magnets after all.
Or buy
The ventilation brackets we tested are available for purchase on Amazon, with prices starting at $ 29.99. Get the iOttie Charging Vent Mount for $ 49.95, the Belkin MagSafe Vent Mount Pro for $ 31.99 (on sale from $ 39.99), the ESR HaloLock for $ 36.99, and the Mophie Snap Vent Mount for $ 29.99.
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