There are so many car holders for smartphones, also because they are among the most useful objects when traveling. Today Macally MCUPXLQI is being tested, which in addition to being able to recharge smartphones via wireless Qi, also offers an unusual feature: it is designed for the car cup holder.
Unlike many other mounts, usually suction cups, this Macally MCUPXLQI is not designed to be placed on the windshield or dashboard of the vehicle. Conversely, it consists of a lower part that must be wedged into the cup holder of the passenger compartment.
The lower end, in fact, has the size of a standard cup holder, although it certainly turns out to be quite universal, due to its qualities. And in fact, by rotating this lower part, the base expands thanks to the special fins, which will therefore fit perfectly into the cup holder. It deals with. undoubtedly, the most important piece of the entire support, because in fact it is the one that gives stability to the device.
From this point of view, Macally MCUPXLQI is absolutely of quality, because it manages to have an absolutely strong and stable grip, so much so that the accessory does not move while driving.
Another important element for stability is the arm of about 10 cm. Although it is flexible, it still enjoys very high resistance. And in fact, the “neck” can be positioned and oriented as desired, even if it is certainly not easy to orient, due to its rigidity. Fortunately, however, a rotating module is provided on the upper part that allows the device to be rotated. In short, it will be possible to place it in the exact position in which you want, but without giving up a rigid neck, which will provide stability during the march. This is because it is very rigid, an element that gives further stability to the smartphone housed while driving.
The third fundamental element is then the actual housing where to graft the smartphone. In this case it is a plastic element, also resistant and very solid, with two wings to lock the device in place. On the back, however, there is also a small release button, which allows you to easily open the flaps and release the smartphone.
Overall, Macally MCUPXLQI is very solid, and able to house any type of smartphone, even large, such as an iPhone of “Plus” size, or an iPhone Max to use more recent terms.
The only thing we can do is certainly not the quality of the object, but its positioning. Considering that cup holders often find their place on the lower part of the passenger compartment, do not expect to be able to position your smartphone at sight height, therefore ready for GPS navigation. We have, in fact, tested it on several cars, and all with very low cup holders. In this context, the use of the smartphone positioned on the Macally is particularly convenient for writing messages or for interacting with the finger (obviously with the vehicle stationary), while GPS navigation would be totally unsatisfactory, because it would force the driver to completely divert the look from the street.
If from a constructive point of view, and solidity, it is an excellent accessory, this Macally MCUPXLQI is certainly suitable for those who have smartphones enabled for Qi charging. If you do not have a smartphone with this technology, the advice is to fall back on the MCUPXL model, identical, but without a Qi charging strap. The model under review can charge all devices with a width between 2.1 “~ 4.7” / 5.4 ~ 12.0cm, and requires a 9V 2A fast charging adapter.
The charging speed, which we tested with an iPhone X, is certainly not impressive, if you consider the different technologies that Android puts on the plate with wired charging, which allow you to reach impressive speeds. In any case, since it is a wireless charging, it will provide absolutely average times, not lower than those that iOS users will be able to achieve with the current solutions of the best known brands.
In any case, the speed of recharging assumes, although paradoxical, secondary importance. And in fact, a wireless car holder will certainly not be the primary choice in case the user needs to recharge the smartphone as quickly as possible. And then, the possibility of recharging will be more useful to ensure that you do not download the smartphone while driving, especially on medium or long-distance journeys. Finding yourself, then, with a smartphone always charged, even when it has been used in the car as a multimedia center for managing audio content, or for GPS navigation, will certainly make the difference.
Conclusions
Macally MCUPXLQI is among the car mounts that we would like to recommend to those who do not want invasions in the visual field deriving from the most common suction cup mounts. The positioning of this device inside the car makes it ideal for hand-screen interaction, because it will usually be placed next to the driver's seat, except that the car in which it is installed has a cup holder in a raised place.
This element, which distinguishes it from many others, is, at the same time, the tip of the balance for the choice in the purchase. If you intend to use your smartphone as a navigator, it may not be ideal; if, on the other hand, you want the smartphone at your fingertips, then it is certainly a more than valid purchase.
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Price and availability
The version with wireless charging costs 39.95 euros and can be purchased from here. If your smartphone does not have this technology, you can buy the variant without Qi recharge for about 22 euros.
