Apple’s iPhone MagSafe charger is one of the best ways to juice up a handset, but it’s not really a travel accessory. That’s where the Speck Presidio Pro Folio for MagSafe comes in. It’s a slim case for Apple’s wireless charger that also acts as a viewing stand for an iPhone.
I tried it out, and I’m quite pleased with the accessory.
This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.
Speck Presidio Pro Folio for MagSafe review
Place any of the models from the iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 series onto Apple’s MagSafe charging puck and the handset will start drawing in up to 15W of power.
The charger is fine for a nightstand or desk, but doesn’t pack particularly well. And it doesn’t offer a way to prop up the screen for easier viewing.
But put the charging puck into the Speck Presidio Pro Folio for MagSafe and it’s ready to hit the road. And the case also acts as an adjustable stand, allowing for hands-free videos or just keeping track of incoming notifications.
Hardware and design
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Just so there’s no confusion, Speck’s accessory isn’t a charger and doesn’t come with one. It includes a circular holder for the Apple MagSafe charging puck.
Yes, you could simply stuff this charger into a suitcase when you’re ready to travel, but the Presidio Pro Folio for MagSafe offers cable management. Apple’s charging puck has a 1-meter cable, and you can wrap this into a deep slot on Speck’s case/stand combo so it’s out of the way.
My compliments to the designers because the cable fits perfectly. It wraps a couple of times around the case, then the USB-C connector fits into a clamp that holds it securely.
The exterior has a faux woven texture that looks and feels nice. When closed, the accessory is 6.8 inches by 3.5 inches by 0.5 inches. That’s not pocketable, but the product goes easily into a backpack or laptop bag.
Without the charger, the product is 0.3 pounds. It’s 0.4 lbs. with the charger inserted. The light weight adds to the portability, but I wouldn’t describe the case/stand combo as rugged. It’ll survive regular use, but if it’ll break if you mistreat it.
Stand
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Cable management wouldn’t be enough to make the Presidio Pro Folio for MagSafe a viable product, but the accessory also functions as a stand you can set up just about anywhere you go.
The front cover opens downward, then folds under to become a kickstand. There are even multiple configurations that allow a different viewing angles. Fold the front cover along the back of the accessory to create a stand with the iPhone screen leaning backward 20 degrees. This is the best option in places where there’s not much room for the stand.
Or if you lay the front cover flat, you can then position the stand at an array of viewing angles: leaning backward 5 degrees to leaning backward 30 degrees.
The iPhone is held to the stand with the MagSafe magnets built in both the handset and the charging puck. That allows you to put its screen in landscape or portrait — it’s your choice. Or anything in between.
And the two cling together tightly. I can tap on the display without risk of knocking the iPhone loose. And the stand itself is stable, not even quivering when I tap the screen. On the other side of the coin, you’ll need to hold the stand when removing your phone. Otherwise you’ll pick them both up.
Just in case you hadn’t thought of this: you don’t have to be charging your phone to make use of the case. You can, for example, prop up your handset during a meeting without plugging the charger into a wall socket.
Performance
Because the Presidio Pro Folio for MagSafe is just a holder for the Apple MagSafe Charger, the iPhone gets power at the same rate as it would if Speck’s case/stand combo weren‘t involved. As noted, that’s up to 15W, the fastest wireless charging option available for an iOS device.
In my hands-on testing, it raises the battery level of an iPhone 12 between 25% and 30% in half an hour.
Speck Presidio Pro Folio for MagSafe final thoughts
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple’s MagSafe puck is great way to power up your iPhone, and Speck devised a clever way to take it on the go. And make it more useful when traveling.
I’m not one to sit at a desk and work. I like to mover around, working from a variety of locations throughout the week. When I was testing out the case/stand combo, it had no problems keeping up with me.
Pricing
The Presidio Pro Folio for MagSafe is $39.95 on Speck’s website. But it’s currently available at 40% off on Amazon.
Buy from: Amazon
Don’t forget you must have the Apple MagSafe Charger ($39) for Speck’s accessory work.
But if this isn’t quite what you’re looking for, you should check out the Belkin Boost↑Charge Pro Portable Wireless Charger Pad with MagSafe ($59.99). It’s a charging puck that’s also a stand.
You might also consider the Mophie Portable Magnetic Stand ($39.95). It can’t charge your iPhone, but is a portable, adjustable stand.
Speck provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out more in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.
