Earlier this year, we reviewed Twelve South’s HiRise 3 charging stand, which was fantastic for simply being one of the most minimal and sleek 3-in-1 options at the time on the market. But in just under a year, Twelve South has come quite a long way in developing a new and superior charging stand, in the form of the HiRise 3 Deluxe. While this option is a little more expensive at A$229.95, it provides some much-needed updates with 15W fast charging and official Made for iPhone/Watch/ Magsafe certification, which the standard HiRise 3 did not have.
Design
While the HiRise 3 was sleek and minimal in its own right, the HiRise 3 Deluxe feels like it’s learnt from previous mistakes. It’s still a 3-in-1 charging stand, for your MagSafe compatible iPhone, an Apple Watch and an additional device like AirPods or even a second iPhone, but everything now feels adequately spread out. While there’s no doubt that phones are getting bigger, I appreciate the decision to drop the Apple Watch charging puck to the bottom of the stand, with the option to lie it flat or prop it up for watches with loop bands attached. It can even charge compatible AirPods models, which is a nice touch.
The original HiRise 3 had the Apple Watch puck behind the iPhone, which took away from the overall aesthetic, even if it was a little smaller. The slightly longer base now allows the phone and watch to pop, while the secondary Qi charting pad sits around the back. I rarely used that secondary pad on the original HiRise 3 for anything other than my AirPods, but from time to time, my partner would pop her larger Pro Max iPhone on it, which simply looked way too big.
While it’s not a huge issue, this larger size makes everything feel a little more balanced visually. Even if it might take up more space on the bedside table, for example, everything isn’t being crammed on board.
Apple is also actively trying to end its support of all animal-based leathers and products. As a result, the HiRise 3 Deluxe is now wrapped in a soft vegan leather base, which feels smooth to the touch and quite durable, particularly when these devices are constantly scraping against it when being placed and removed.
At the end of the day, the only real issue is the colour selection. It’s a small gripe, to say the least, but as the HiRise 3 Deluxe is only available in black at the time of writing, it’s surely going to lead many to question where the white alternative is, considering Apple’s support of this product and its preference for white accessories.
Functionality
The HiRise 3 Deluxe is undoubtedly a step up from its original counterpart. Now fully Apple-certified, users can prop up any Magsafe-compatible iPhone (basically the iPhone 12 and up) for faster 15W charging, along with your Apple Watch, (which is also compatible with fast-charging Apple Watches, being the Series 7, 8, 9, SE and Ultra) at 5W and pretty much all currently available AirPod models (2nd and 3rd generation AirPods, and all AirPods Pro models) at 7.5W.
You can even swap out the AirPods on that smaller charging pad for a Qi charting-compatible iPhone for the same 7.5W charging.
Given current alternatives and competing models pack at the same speeds at the same price, it’s pretty hard to ask for anything better. While the standard HiRise 3 felt compromised mainly due to its slower charging speeds, the HiRise 3 feels free and able to compete with some of the best-charging trees and stands on the market, thanks to its updated design. It also comes with a 40W power adapter, a 1.5m cable and a selection of U.S., U.K., E.U., and AU/NZ power plugs, making this an ideal option for travel.
The ability to charge all three devices at these aforementioned speeds is also a huge plus. I’m still rocking a Series 7 Apple Watch, but the HiRise 3 Deluxe took that thing from 20% to 100% in just under 2 hours. I’m also a huge fan of MagSafe charging and while I still use an iPhone 13 Pro Max as my daily driver, the HiRise 3 Deluxe to it from the same test of 20% to 100% in around the same span of time, which is still quite impressive.
The tiltable MagSafe charging stand is nice to use, but I wish it also turned left and right. With the iOS 17 update, I now primarily prop my phone on charge in a horizontal position to allow for standby mode to activate, which basically doubles as my bedside clock. But as this stand doesn’t turn the phone towards me, I have to turn the entire stand on an angle so I can get a decent view. But once again, it is but a minor gripe.
Verdict & Value
Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe takes all the right steps forward when compared to its predecessor. Now officially Apple-certified, made with vegan leather and providing faster charging speeds for all three of its charging spaces than ever before, there’s not really much to complain about. While the HiRise 3 Deluxe is a little bigger, it’s also giving some much-needed space to the setup, particularly when all three devices are charging at once.
While I wish this came in white, there’s no doubt in my mind that even at A$229.95, this is simply one of the best charging strands on the market.
FOUR AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: Sleek design; Faster charging speeds; Official Apple certification
Lowlights: Only available in black; MagSafe charging stand tilts, but doesn’t turn
Manufacturer: Twelve South
Price: A$229.95
Available: Now
Review based on unit supplied by Twelve South.
