The Closest Thing to AirPower!

The video introduces AirUnleashed as a practical knockoff that aims to imitate the never-released AirPower concept from Apple. MKBHD explains that AirUnleashed uses three coils instead of AirPower’s overlapping coil design, consisting of a left Qi coil, a right Qi coil, and a middle Apple Watch charging coil with magnets to help alignment. He notes that Apple Watch charging remains in the middle, while any Qi-compatible device can be charged on the left or right, provided multiple devices are space-manageable on the mat. The host emphasizes the intent behind AirUnleashed: to offer a tangible alternative for users who want a close Apple-like charging experience without the original AirPower’s heat issues and complexity. He compares the form factor, the built-in cable, and the overall premium feel to Apple’s aesthetic, while pointing out practical caveats such as uneven alignment when multiple devices are charged simultaneously and the tradeoffs in charging speed. He runs a quick power test using a OnePlus Warp charger, reporting that charging three devices at once yields roughly 56% on a phone from 0 to 100 in about five and a half hours and about 3 hours to bring a watch from 0 to full, noting this is typical for wireless charging and not particularly fast. Throughout the review, he mentions that AirUnleashed is not the cheapest option and that there are cheaper or more functional alternatives, but argues it nails the “Apple vibes” for iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods charging in one mat. In closing, he reflects on whether AirPower could have succeeded with a simpler three-coil approach and suggests that the original product’s high aspirations and heat problems ultimately led to its cancellation, positioning AirUnleashed as the closest remaining option for devoted Apple ecosystem users. He signs off with a light joke about achieving a short video record and thanks viewers for watching, inviting them to seek his longer AirPower video for more context and to catch his next video.

Topics · technology · review · consumer_electronics · wireless_charging