For many people, iPhone and Apple Watch go together. The phone goes everywhere, and the watch stays on your wrist from morning to night. But when it is time to recharge, you still often end up with two different chargers and several cables on the nightstand.
It does not have to be that way. With a combined charger, both iPhone and Apple Watch can have their own charging spot in the same compact unit. It is more convenient at home and even more practical when you travel. Twelve South Butterfly™ SE is a good example of how small that kind of solution can actually be.
Why are two charging surfaces needed?
Modern iPhone models can be charged wirelessly, and Apple’s magnetic solutions have made the process much easier. Apple Watch, however, uses a different kind of magnetic charging. That is why you cannot simply place the watch on the same standard Qi charging pad as the phone.
That is why combined chargers have separate surfaces. Butterfly™ SE has a magnetic Qi2 charging surface for the phone and another charging surface for Apple Watch. Both are built into the same foldable design and can be used at the same time.
What does Qi2 mean for iPhone?
A classic wireless Qi charger works by placing the phone on top of a charging coil. The problem is that the phone has to sit fairly correctly. If it is off center, charging may be weaker or, in the worst case, not start at all.
Qi2 solves this in part with magnetic alignment on compatible devices. The phone is pulled into the right position when you place it against the charger. In practice, that means less fiddling and a better chance that your phone is actually fully charged when you wake up in the morning.
The same charger on the nightstand and on the road
At home, a combined charger can mainly reduce the amount of cables around the bed or on the desk. Instead of two separate charging spots, the phone and watch get a shared station that is always ready.
When you travel, the difference becomes even clearer. Butterfly™ SE folds into a compact form when not in use. So you do not need to pack a separate magnetic Apple Watch charger together with your phone charger every time you leave.
AirPods can come along too
iPhone is not the only device that can use wireless charging. If you have a compatible AirPods charging case, it can be charged wirelessly too. That makes a dual charger more flexible than the name might suggest.
In the evening, for example, you can charge iPhone and Apple Watch at the same time. When the phone is done, the same wireless charging surface can be used for AirPods. For many people, that means three of the devices used most during the day can get by with a much smaller set of charging accessories.
The fold gives you more options
One detail that sets Butterfly™ SE apart from a regular flat charging mat is the foldable design. Of course, it is meant to make the charger smaller in your bag, but it also lets the charging surfaces be angled in different ways.
For example, iPhone can be placed upright while charging, which works well with StandBy. On a desk, the phone can show your calendar or other information, and in a hotel room it can serve as a small digital clock beside the bed.
Fewer chargers to keep track of
In the end, combining charging is not about doing something advanced. Quite the opposite. The more devices we use every day, the nicer it is when the same accessory can handle several tasks.
For anyone who uses both iPhone and Apple Watch, a dual charger is a fairly simple upgrade. At home, there is less cable clutter, and when you travel, there are fewer things to remember. Sometimes the best technology is simply the kind that makes you think a little less about technology.
FAQ
Can iPhone and Apple Watch charge at the same time?
Yes, with a combined charger like Butterfly™ SE, a compatible iPhone and Apple Watch can charge at the same time on their own charging surfaces.
Can Apple Watch charge on a regular Qi2 charger?
Apple Watch uses a dedicated charging solution and therefore needs a compatible charger for the watch. That is why combined chargers have a separate Apple Watch charging surface.
Can Butterfly™ SE charge AirPods?
Yes, compatible AirPods charging cases with support for wireless charging can be used with the wireless charging surface.
Is Qi2 the same as MagSafe?
They are closely related, but not the same standard. Qi2 is based in part on magnetic alignment and has helped make that type of magnetic wireless charging a broader industry standard.
Is Butterfly™ SE good for travel?
Yes. The foldable design keeps the charger compact when packed away, and because the same unit can charge both the phone and Apple Watch, you do not need to bring separate charging solutions.
