Cheap ebay magnetic charger cable isn't that great!

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AlanJC

AlanJC

Senior Member
Nov 15, 2004
817
27
West Midlands
I bought a couple of these from ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151247910444?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

The USB plug end is huge, and the magnet is very weak. It's OK if you leave it flat on the desk, but picking the phone up means it's more than likely going to fall off.

I'd be wary of this kind if you're thinking of getting one.

I'd like one with a very strong magnet so that I can plug it into a USB battery pack and leave it in my pocket without wondering whether the magnet connector has fallen off.

Any suggestions?
 
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Roland0180

Member
May 9, 2014
8
1
I also bought such a cable. Mine is actually pretty good so far. Magnet power is good enough and the overall cable is just as good as a standard Sony cable. And only 3 euros incl. shipping.

Sent from my D5503 using XDA Free mobile app
 
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Phukkitt

Member
Jun 19, 2013
24
6
Stockholm
AlanJC said:
I bought a couple of these from ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151247910444?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

The USB plug end is huge, and the magnet is very weak. It's OK if you leave it flat on the desk, but picking the phone up means it's more than likely going to fall off.

I'd be wary of this kind if you're thinking of getting one.

I'd like one with a very strong magnet so that I can plug it into a USB battery pack and leave it in my pocket without wondering whether the magnet connector has fallen off.

Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I don't think you will have any luck finding one like that, as the connector was never designed to be used as a stand alone cable, it was always meant to be inside a charging stand/dock. Even if the magnet is very strong when pulling straight out from the connector (like being able to lift the phone with it) it will still come off super easy if pulled at an angle.
Maybe you could buy a cheap dock, then cut some in it so that all that is left will be like a clamp that goes around the edge of the phone and holds the cable steady? Or maybe some cheap case where you can glue tha connector to the case and only use it when charging?
 
pathaniya

pathaniya

Senior Member
May 28, 2010
685
73
Are they no official magnetic charger available? Isn't anyone here using?

Sent from my D5503 using XDA Free mobile app
 
AlanJC

AlanJC

Senior Member
Nov 15, 2004
817
27
West Midlands
Phukkitt said:
I don't think you will have any luck finding one like that, as the connector was never designed to be used as a stand alone cable, it was always meant to be inside a charging stand/dock. Even if the magnet is very strong when pulling straight out from the connector (like being able to lift the phone with it) it will still come off super easy if pulled at an angle.
Maybe you could buy a cheap dock, then cut some in it so that all that is left will be like a clamp that goes around the edge of the phone and holds the cable steady? Or maybe some cheap case where you can glue tha connector to the case and only use it when charging?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I That's given me an idea, perhaps these cables with some Sugru so that it aligns to the edge of the handset might do the trick!
 
K

kickling

Senior Member
May 3, 2014
76
10
Yup, I complained about the weakness of the magnet and got my money back from the eBay seller
 
P

Phukkitt

Member
Jun 19, 2013
24
6
Stockholm
pathaniya said:
Are they no official magnetic charger available? Isn't anyone here using?

Sent from my D5503 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

The only official magnetic charger is the DK32 charging dock. The cables that most people buy are the same cables that is inside the dock, but it's impossible to know whether they are original parts or just copies since Sony doesn't officially sell that cable as a separate unit. The ones that sellers claim to be originals could very well only be meant as replacement parts or a simple way for phone repair shops to charge the phones.
 
Z

zxqw

Member
Apr 29, 2014
36
6
The magnet is weak and actually takes some effort to get it to align, I was hoping that it would suck itself in like a MagSafe connector does. It also charges at about 70% the speed of the original USB charging cable even when connected to the same ipad wallwart.

I'm unimpressed with my knock-off cable but for the price, I can accept the mediocre quality.
 
jiayit

jiayit

Senior Member
Apr 14, 2013
485
108
Singapore
zxqw said:
The magnet is weak and actually takes some effort to get it to align, I was hoping that it would suck itself in like a MagSafe connector does. It also charges at about 70% the speed of the original USB charging cable even when connected to the same ipad wallwart.

I'm unimpressed with my knock-off cable but for the price, I can accept the mediocre quality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Well I paid 15 for mine (bought from a retailer) and they don't do refunds.
Lesson learnt...
 
I

Iruwen

Senior Member
Dec 14, 2012
481
151
What do you expect from such a small magnet? Imo it's quite strong already. I got this cable, which doesn't have a stronger magnet but aligns better, and it's cheap - I'm from Germany though: http://www.ebay.de/itm/-/291037184668
I also have the one the op has, with that one the phone started charging but it was so slow that it never finished. Modifiying the plastic and pins didn't help.
 
W

Wurstwarenfachverkäuferin

Senior Member
Dec 21, 2011
82
8
Not sure if it fits here, as my cable was not bought through ebay...

I got the OEM Magnetic Charging USB Cable for Sony Xperia Smartphone Black with Sony logo on the magnetic plug and it doesn't look too good: cheap to the looks and touch. The cable is thinner and feels flimsy compared to the USB charging cable that came stock with the phone. The magnet holds so-so but won't do too well when grabbing the phone, answering a call or whatever. The USB plug is huge, feels and looks cheap as well and can't be fully inserted into the charger; a bit of the metal part will stick out, that is.

I didn't do a full charge so far, so, can't commend on that part. I didn't measure the time but from what it felt like, the magnetic cable charges pretty fast - I'd say about the same rate as the stock micro USB cable (both with stock wall socket charger). But pay attention if you move the phone; the magnetic plug comes off really easy and might cause some bad surprise the next morning (the moment you wake up and notice your phone died on you and didn't wake you up ... about 2 hours ago, which was about an hour before you should've left to go to work and so on).

Now, if I'm not mistaken, witrigs says somewhere on their site that there would be huge difference between the Original OEM :angel: cable and the cheaper 3rd party ones the also offer. Honestly, I can't imagine the really cheap ones are much worse (as far as look & feel and usability goes).
 
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H

harryw66

Senior Member
Oct 2, 2010
260
44
Huawei MatePad Pro
Google Pixel 7
I bought two of the following a few weeks back (for work and home) and overall am quite happy. The magnet is reasonably strong - I can lift the phone to check an email etc without it falling off - not sure about a phone call with it attached though...

cant post link - got it from dx-box website item SKU-8894

I have just ordered a 3rd cable for the car - after buying a case which has a cutout for the magnetic port but NOT for the microusb port:
 
H

harryw66

Senior Member
Oct 2, 2010
260
44
Huawei MatePad Pro
Google Pixel 7
Wurstwarenfachverkäuferin said:
What case might that be? I am looking for a case with almost no cut-outs myself (camera/flash, magnetic charging port, headphone jack).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I got the Zukin Mini Ultra Thin Aluminium Bumper
I cant post links so you will just have to google it - sorry.

It has cutouts for the Magentic port, the Sim card, the camera and the power + volume buttons, headphones and bottom speaker - but NOT the SD card nor the usb port...
 
Xaeons

Xaeons

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2010
231
34
Manila, PH
harryw66 said:
I bought two of the following a few weeks back (for work and home) and overall am quite happy. The magnet is reasonably strong - I can lift the phone to check an email etc without it falling off - not sure about a phone call with it attached though...

cant post link - got it from dx-box website item SKU-8894
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

dhchris said:
I bought a few of this original Sony magnetic charger cables for my Z1c the last months.
http://dx-box.com/brand-new-magnetic-usb-charging-cable-adapter-for-sony-xperia-z1-compact.html
It fits perfect and there are no problems while charging.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Looks like you both ordered from the same site.Can you both attest to the magnet's ability to stick to the phone?
 
dhchris

dhchris

Senior Member
Sep 6, 2007
301
59
Bergkirchen near Munich
Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact
Xaeons said:
Looks like you both ordered from the same site.Can you both attest to the magnet's ability to stick to the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

The magnetic ability is okay, not very strong but if you let the phone on your desk, it´s no problem.
I don´t know if a stronger magnet can damage the phone.
I placed a cable of this in my car-holder and fixed it with a little point of glue and there´s no problem with vibrations while driving.
And also good at this cable:
You can not reverse polarities!

I hope i could help you.

Regards, Chris
 
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Xaeons

Xaeons

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2010
231
34
Manila, PH
dhchris said:
The magnetic ability is okay, not very strong but if you let the phone on your desk, it´s no problem.
I don´t know if a stronger magnet can damage the phone.
I placed a cable of this in my car-holder and fixed it with a little point of glue and there´s no problem with vibrations while driving.
And also good at this cable:
You can not reverse polarities!

I hope i could help you.s
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I see, thanks!

On another note:
Hasn't anyone bought from Witrigs or is the shipping too far?

EDIT: Ok, witrigs' estimated shipping time is ridiculously long (for someone like me in south east asia) dx-box is better
 
Last edited:
W

Wurstwarenfachverkäuferin

Senior Member
Dec 21, 2011
82
8
Xaeons said:
I see, thanks!

On another note:
Hasn't anyone bought from Witrigs or is the shipping too far?

EDIT: Ok, witrigs' estimated shipping time is ridiculously long (for someone like me in south east asia) dx-box is better
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I did. But I am in Europe, so, it doesn't say anything about shipping within Asia.

However, for my order, delivery took about 2 weeks, which is pretty fast compared to most of my previous orders from China (usually 3 to 4 weeks without the customs interfering).
 
Xaeons

Xaeons

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2010
231
34
Manila, PH
Wurstwarenfachverkäuferin said:
I did. But I am in Europe, so, it doesn't say anything about shipping within Asia.

However, for my order, delivery took about 2 weeks, which is pretty fast compared to most of my previous orders from China (usually 3 to 4 weeks without the customs interfering).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I may order a magnetic charging cable from witrigs along with a glass back replacement part so I'd get more out of the shipping fee and shipping time.

There are options for shipping via different countries with different shipping costs (at the bottom upon checkout)
 
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    AlanJC
    AlanJC
    I bought a couple of these from ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151247910444?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

    The USB plug end is huge, and the magnet is very weak. It's OK if you leave it flat on the desk, but picking the phone up means it's more than likely going to fall off.

    I'd be wary of this kind if you're thinking of getting one.

    I'd like one with a very strong magnet so that I can plug it into a USB battery pack and leave it in my pocket without wondering whether the magnet connector has fallen off.

    Any suggestions?
    View
    1
    dhchris
    dhchris
    Xaeons said:
    Looks like you both ordered from the same site.Can you both attest to the magnet's ability to stick to the phone?
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    The magnetic ability is okay, not very strong but if you let the phone on your desk, it´s no problem.
    I don´t know if a stronger magnet can damage the phone.
    I placed a cable of this in my car-holder and fixed it with a little point of glue and there´s no problem with vibrations while driving.
    And also good at this cable:
    You can not reverse polarities!

    I hope i could help you.

    Regards, Chris
    View
    1
    M
    mindyabiznis
    Has anyone thought about the Magnector X adapter for your phones, they do an adapter so you can plug any micro usb cable into it:

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MagNector...al_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item338ff25701

    and also just a standard usb cable:

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Magnector...al_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item4ad676cb92

    EVERY review that I've read has said that its fantastic and more than worth the asking price of £10-15, most reviews said they decided to buy another for the car/office etc after seeing the quality first hand. - that was for the micro usb adapter.

    I'm thinking I'll get one as I already have a 10 ft. micro usb cable that I would like to continue using :fingers-crossed:

    If anyone already has one of these can you tell me what you think of it and if its worth getting one of these adapters over the £3 "oem" ones on ebay.
    View
    1
    W
    Wurstwarenfachverkäuferin
    I've been using the Magtron Magnector X cable (not the adapter) for quite some time now.

    What is good:
    • As for looks, touch&feel and use, It is of much better quality than the ones marked "SONY" that you can buy for ~10 $US from china (witrigs for instance).
    • Together with the shape of the housing, the magnet does a much better job at keeping the plug connected to the phone. I'd say, the magnet itself might also be a bit stronger than on the "SONY".
    • The plastic housing of the magnetic plug is solid and won't catch dirt between the housing and the magnet (unlike the "SONY" ones where the housing is soft and sometimes leaves a gap).

    What is not:
    • There is a downside to the shaped magnet plug - the plug housing doesn't fit perfectly to the naked phone, but only leaves too small of a gap for the most cases to fit in. So, some trimming on the case may be required - either cut a bigger hole or make the case really really thin where the plug housing touches
    • The cable, while perhaps a bit longer than the "SONY" (just guessing from looking at both), is still very short - too short (at least for my taste ... I sometimes read on my phone before sleeping, which is usually also the time my phone charges and there is not always a wall socket or USB port within the range of less than 1 meter)
    • The magnet plug doesn't just pop onto the phone. I know, this is due to the bad design of the interface itself, but this very product - sometimes - does take, say, half a second more to securely connect (for me, that is; your's might pop better, who knows...).

    Being in Europe, I paid about 15 € for a cable shipped, which is quite a bite more than 10 $US. But then again, the cable feels much much better than the china "SONY" ones (which may even be real, dunno). If you asked me - get this one and don't buy the cheaper "SONY". I'd even buy another one, if they only made it a longer.
    View

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