Test of the New MagSafe Qi2 Wireless Charger

Let’s be honest: up until now, the wireless charging experience inside our Renault vehicles was far from idyllic. Between phones that turned into pocket warmers, the absolute slowness of the charge (which barely managed to maintain the battery level when faced with a highly power-hungry wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto), and the obligation to align the smartphone to the exact millimeter to trigger induction… the system had eventually discouraged more than a few.

But there is good news: the Diamond brand has revised its copy. Taking advantage of the latest deliveries of the new Espace 6, Renault is introducing a brand-new magnetic wireless charger compatible with MagSafe and Qi2.

I was able to get my hands on this new hardware to torture-test it and compare it to the older generation. Here is the verdict.

What Changes Visually and Technically?

At first glance, you spot the change immediately. The rubber mat now integrates a circular magnetic zone in its center as well as small perforations at its base. Another detail: the small charging indicator LEDs present on the older generation have disappeared; charging status tracking is now sent directly to the multimedia system screen.

The Showdown: Old vs. New Generation

On the road, the magnet does its job perfectly. Even over speed bumps or during spirited driving, the phone doesn’t budge an inch.

A nice little ergonomic bonus: once snapped on, the smartphone is slightly elevated, leaving space on the sides to grab it much more easily.

Which Smartphones Are Compatible?

• Apple: All iPhones equipped with native MagSafe (from the iPhone 12 up to the latest iPhone 16).
• Android: Native compatibility with the Qi2 standard remains limited for now but is gradually expanding, as seen on the recent Google Pixel 10.

Is your Android smartphone missing magnets but supports wireless charging? Don’t panic, you have two solutions:

The best one is to buy a Qi2-certified case with a built-in magnet (the brand Spigen offers excellent ones).

The second, more budget-friendly option is to stick a magnetic ring directly onto the back of your current case (Spigen actually provides an alignment guide to line it up with the phone’s coil). Ring example: LINK

What is the Rollout Plan Across the Renault & Dacia Range?

This new Qi2 magnetic charger is not an exclusivity reserved for the Espace 6. Renault clearly understood user expectations and planned a massive rollout. Simply put, all new models or major facelifts from the group will progressively switch over to this technology in the coming months (no official schedule has been communicated):

• Renault range: Introduced on the latest deliveries of the Espace 6, Rafale, and Austral, it will then be rolled out across the rest of the range already equipped with a wireless charging pad:
  • Renault 5 E-Tech
  • Renault 4 E-Tech
  • Clio 6
  • Captur 2 / Symbioz
  • Megane EV
  • Scenic EV
  • Master 4
• Alpine
  • A290
  • A390
• Dacia range (to be confirmed)
  • Duster 3
  • Bigster

To know if a vehicle features the correct version when placing an order, take a close look at the commercial brochure or the order form: the official description very subtly changes from “wireless smartphone charger” to “magnetic wireless smartphone charger.”

In fact, the new charger has already spotted on official photos of the Renault 4 Roland Garros edition.

Tutorial: How to Install It in Your Vehicle (Retrocompatibility)

This is the very good surprise of this hardware. While the automotive industry often conditions us to technical lockdowns, this upgrade is completely Plug & Play for vehicles already equipped with OpenR Link (Austral, Megane E-Tech, Scenic E-Tech, Rafale, Espace 6) as well as for the new Dacia Duster 3 and Bigster.

⚠️ The system does not seem compatible with older generations of chargers linked to the Easy Link system.

The Disassembly / Reassembly Procedure:

1. Unclipping it: Using plastic trim removal tools (to avoid scratching anything), gently unclip the old module from the center console. This is the most physical part because the original clips lock the whole assembly firmly. I think the disassembly method will vary depending on the vehicle.
2. Disconnection: Lift the blue connector tab on the plug. Tip: To release the plug, you then need to press underneath (the locking mechanism is of very high quality to prevent disconnections caused by vibrations).
3. Reassembly: Plug in the new module, clip it into place inside the console instead of the old one, and install the new perforated rubber mat.

⚠️ Replacing the old charger with the new one seems to work perfectly, with one minor detail: the fan will only run at a fixed speed (low speed). Smartphone cooling will probably be a little less efficient than on a vehicle factory-equipped with the MagSafe charger. However, the new charger will still perform vastly better than the old one! 😊

Parts and Pricing

The cost of the operation remains particularly reasonable for an OEM manufacturer part:

• New Renault Magnetic Charger: 115 € incl. VAT, part number 283421188R.

(French prices)

Mat Part Numbers:

🛒 To order the parts, your best bet is to go directly to a Renault dealership with the part numbers listed above.

ℹ️ As for the rubber mat part numbers for other models, we will have to wait for the new charger to be released on those vehicles. I will keep the top comment and the video description updated.

⚠️ Replacing the old charger with the new one seems to work perfectly, with one minor catch: the fan will only run at a fixed, low speed. Smartphone cooling will probably be a little less efficient than on a vehicle factory-equipped with the MagSafe charger. However, the new charger will still perform vastly better than the old one! 😊

Note for Mégane E-Tech or Scénic owners: Accessibility inside the console is a bit more complex there than on the Espace. You will probably need to access it from underneath by removing the cover. Do not hesitate to ask your usual body shop or mechanic for a hand if you are afraid of marking the plastics. As for the specific mat part numbers for these models, we will have to wait for their official rollout in the brochures (the description changes from “wireless charger” to “magnetic wireless smartphone charger”).