Twelve South has released a redesigned version of its Valet wireless charging tray, cutting the depth from 7.5 inches to 4.5 inches while raising the wireless charging speed from 15W to 25W. The new Valet is priced at $129.99, fifty dollars below the original, which remains available at $179.99. (The Verge)

The original Valet debuted at CES earlier in 2026 and began shipping on January 15, 2026 (AppleInsider). It used Qi2 magnetic wireless charging at 15W and included a USB-C port on the side for charging a second device at 15W. The new model keeps the USB-C port but limits it to 10W while the wireless pad is in use. That is the tradeoff for making the device smaller and boosting the wireless speed.

Wireless charging lets you power a phone by placing it on a charging surface instead of plugging in a cable. Qi2 is the current standard for this, and it uses magnets to snap the phone into the right position, similar to Apple's MagSafe. The 25W figure matters because Twelve South's own support documentation previously listed 15W as the maximum the Qi2 standard allowed (Twelve South Support). The company has since introduced a PowerBug 25W variant that supports Qi2.2 wireless charging (Twelve South Support), and the new Valet's 25W output matches that same Qi2.2 capability. Qi2.2 is a revised version of the standard that allows more power than the earlier 15W limit.

The new Valet's build matches the original's premium feel. A weighted zinc alloy base anchors the unit, and the tray is wrapped in Nappa leather in black, brown, or taupe. The upper section is surrounded by a removable metal frame that attaches magnetically and can be swapped for alternate colors sold separately by Twelve South. The frames use a polycarbonate core finished in leather and maintain full MagSafe compatibility (Twelve South).

The frame-swap mechanism and magnetic attachment point to Twelve South's broader accessory strategy. The company also sells the ButterFly SE, a foldable 2-in-1 Qi2 charger for iPhone and Apple Watch available in five colors (Twelve South), and the PowerBug, a magnetic wireless charger that plugs directly into a wall outlet (Twelve South). The PowerBug line now spans both 15W and 25W variants, and the Valet's adoption of 25W places it at the top of that product lineup alongside the PowerBug 25W.

Founded in 2009, Twelve South has built its catalog around Apple-ecosystem accessories, including the BookBook iPhone wallet case, the BookArc vertical MacBook stand, and the AirFly Bluetooth transmitter for AirPods (Twelve South). The Valet line fits the same pattern: a desk accessory designed for Apple device owners who want charging hardware that does not look like a charging pad.

The redesign's core calculation is straightforward. The original 7.5-inch Valet required significant desk space, enough that placement became a consideration in smaller workspaces. At 4.5 inches, the new model occupies roughly half that depth. The cost is the USB-C port's charging speed, which drops from 15W to 10W when the wireless pad is in use. For someone charging a phone wirelessly and an AirPods case or Apple Watch through the USB-C port at the same time, that means slower wired charging than the original offered.

The 25W wireless output is the more consequential change. Qi2 at 15W already matched Apple's MagSafe charging speed, and the jump to 25W, assuming compatible phones can accept that rate, narrows the gap between wireless and wired charging in a way that has been slow in coming for this product category. Whether phone manufacturers will allow the full 25W through Qi2.2 is a hardware-level question that will play out device by device over the coming product cycles.

At $129.99, the new Valet assumes the buyer values the materials and design enough to pay more than they would for a basic charging pad. The original at $179.99 was a steeper ask, and keeping both in the lineup gives Twelve South two price points for different desk setups and budgets. The removable frames, sold separately, add a modest but steady revenue stream, consistent with the accessory maker playbook.