E-PRANCE USB Charging Cable for Sony Xperia Z1(L39T/L39U/L39H), Z2(L50T/L50U/L50W), Z3, Z2 Tablet, Z1 Mini, Z3 Mini, Z3 Compact(Black Color)

The Xperia phones look nice and work as well as I expected, but nightly charging required that you pry off the micro-USB flap and then snap it back on. I was worried about doing that too often causing the loss of water-proofing, so I went looking for a magnetic charging cable that would allow us to let that port stay unmolested most of the time. Since we were using cases, we didn't consider a dock: most of the docks looked like they wouldn't work with the case. This was clearly a missed opportunity for Sony, since an integrated system of case and charging dock would have been preferred.The #1 search result for magnetic charger on Amazon is the Magnector X. Hailing from Korea, the marketing copy looks great though the price seems high. It comes in a little case with a carrying pouch, and a little nub that connects to a usb cable and then attaches to your phone. The problem? The nub is wide, so the charging pins never makes contact with your phone if your phone is in a case. So we returned it.The E-PRANCE cable hails from China, has 7 reviews, and doesn't qualify for Amazon prime. It ships direct from Shenzhen, comes through the postal service and takes weeks to deliver. It doesn't appear to have strain relievers on the cable, which means that if you jerk it too hard, it will break. Fortunately, it's a magnetic charging cable, so pulling on the phone means that the charger will just fall off the phone, so the cable shouldn't ever be subject to huge stress. In any case, it's cheaper than the Magnector X. To my relief, the charging end is thin, and easily charges both our phones while they're in their cases. We went ahead and ordered 4 (2 at home, 1 in each car). Recommended.

Some previous reviewers felt the magnet was weak, but I see that as a feature, not a bug. After reading reports that the Magnector-X was so strong that it yanked the connector off a couple people's phones, I decided that one might be *too* strong. This one is strong enough that it stays on to charge the phone overnight, but pulls away easily when you remove it. It's true that it won't stay on if you're trying to use the phone while charging, so for those occasions you may need to use the micro USB. It fits fine with the Bugdroid Circuit TPU case. Takes a little bit of care to align the charger with the contacts on the phone, but not too bad. My only quibble with the charger is its strangely bright LED. It was actually bright enough to keep me awake, despite a jungle of other LEDs inhabiting my bedroom without issue. But a piece of white tape dimmed it to the same brightness as the phone's LED (more tape or a black marker could dim it further if you want.)

I opted for this charging cable after I read the Magnector X2 would not be able to fit into the Nillkin Super Frosted Shield Case Cover for my Z3 compact.My likes:1: It charges my phone2: Its fits my phone case cover3: AffordableMy dislikes:1. Low quality/durability appearance. The cable is thin and will make you feel it will have a short lifespan. I use it at work desk and bed side where I know I'm not going to be using my phone while charging it.2. The magnet isn't strong enough to hold it comfortably should you decide to use you phone while charging. I've found any tug or slight tilt of the phone will dislodge the magnet from the charging ports. Get the Magnector X2 for this3. The LED lights green all the time. It would be cool to have it turn red to let you know it is charging.Side note I purchased the Magnector X2 which holds alot better, and has charging indicators lights (Red/green) the only disadvantage was price and it did not fit my phone case. I had to take a razor and shave down the Mag X2 along with my case to allow a proper fit.

Strong magnetic connection and the phone charges right up with it.I do have to unplug it though when it isn't in use or it lights up the whole room (that is one BRIGHT LED and it only needs to have power going to the cable - it is in no way related to phone charging status). The strong magnet has a downside - it tried to latch onto anything metal in the general area if it isn't on the phone (the other end of the cable, the prongs on the power adaptor, the metal pulls on my nightstand, my bedside lamp... not all good places for a powered/plugged in item to latch onto).I like this enough to want to get another 2-3 for other locations I use my phone, though I definitely wish there was one without that bright light on it and a slightly less powerful magnet (not a lot less powerful as I want it to latch to the phone for charging without being fiddly but a little less happy to grab onto anything metal within 6 inches would be good). I also wish this was a longer cable - it barely reaches from the floor (powerstrip) to the top of my nightstand in a straight line.

Bought for my z3 compact. The connector has enough clearance for any reasonable case. The connector does come out further than shown in the product picture but it's a good thing (since being able to fit most cases). The magnet isn't strong enough to dangle the phone from the cable, but just enough so you don't have to reattach the connector four times to get the phone to charge. However because of this it can be easily detached with force perpendicular to the face of the phone. There is also a green light to indicate when the cable is receiving power which is extremely bright (easily masked with some tape or simply unplugging after use).All in all, excellent purchase for the price. Received within one week. It is closer to 4 stars but because of how cheap it was and the speed of delivery, I'd say its worth 5.