Galaxy S4 RokDock by Rokform [Review]

Docking stations for our devices serve many purposes in life. Mainly they give you the chance to charge, transfer and prop up your device all in one neat little package. Most are inexpensive and made from plastic. Some offer the ability to connect to your TV for streaming content tot he big screen. Others are made for your vehicles for driving and being able to use your GPS and have easy access to voice controls and driving mode. While others, like the RockDock byRokForm, are made to look amazing and be fairly stationary on your desk.

The RokDock is one heavy-duty accessory. Unlike the traditional plastic docks, this one is crafted out of just over 3 pounds of aircraft grade aluminum. The final product is a solid 3 pounds of weighted docking goodness. You don’t have to have any fears of your device falling over and in a pinch, you could use it as a weapon and do some serious damage.

Whats in the Box

• RokDock for Samsung Galaxy S2/S3/S4
• Charging cable
• Start Tool
• Instructions

The RokDock is composed of 5 components. The adjustable backstop, the interlocking top, the main base, the bottom plate and charging cord. They should have added “Some Assembly Required” to the box, as you will need to take the dock apart to get it set up for use. It only takes a few minutes to do and isn’t really a big deal. Once assembled you will have a slick-looking dock that comes in various color preferences to accent your work or home environment. Rather than explain the install process, I did a short video of it when I received it.

The entire dock measures in at 4.06 in x 3.93 in x 3.53 in. The top slot for your phone to sit in is wide enough for a Galaxy S2, Galaxy S3 and the new Galaxy S4. It should also fit any similar sized devices that have a bottom center charging port. The adjustable back plate offers something that some docks don’t. the ability to slightly adjust the viewing angle as well as make room for most cases to be used without removing them. On the bottom of the dock there are 4 rubberized pads to prevent sliding and damaging of precious surfaces. The front of the dock has a grooved canal that lets you get to the home button on the S3 and S4, but the channel is only wide enough to access that button. If you want to hit the menu or back button, you will need to pull the device out.

 

 

What we liked about the RokDock

The solid construction and design is definitely what won us over on this dock. With all parts, minus the adjustable rear plate, being made from aluminum being the biggest selling point. Not to mention the 6 various color choices. The slot size to accommodate the use of various Galaxy phones and cases is a nice touch. Leaving it open for current owners of the Galaxyseries to use their device and be safe when they upgrade.

 

What we don’t like about the RokDock

While style and design are stellar, it does have some fairly annoying and potentially irritating flaws. The canal to hit the home button is nice, but with out easy access to the menu and back buttons on the S3 or S4 it makes navigating around the device while docked a pain. It is more a “Click it and forget it” type of dock. Assembly is fairly simple and doesn’t take a genius to figure out how to do it, and they give you instructions anyways. However, if you are a case changing style of person, you will find yourself taking it apart to adjust the plug regularly for each case. If you don’t then you could have some wobble and risk damaging your port on your phone.

How we have been using the RokDock

We originally used it at our desk to charge up our S3/S4 devices and to transfer files. Having plenty of emails, chats, texts and calls coming through has since moved its location away from the desk. It seemed silly to keep pulling out or phone and putting it back in. It now sits bedside for night-time charging and easy viewing for alarms.

What could be changed

One thing we like to do is recommend ways to change a product to make it better serve users. In the case of the RokDock, there are a few things that would take this dock from cool to exceptional. Obviously flatten out the front top to be lower so you can access all your buttons without having to pull out the device. Next, I would really like to see the phone dock section widened and the sides removed. A quick adjustment of the adjustable back plate could easily cover the charger and allow you to switch your device to landscape and not be plugged in. This might seem trivial to some, but vertical only option docks are troublesome for watching movies and other various tasks. Additionally, if the dock part was widened, you could also use it for the smaller Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 and upcoming Tab 3. Not to charge of course, but to prop it up for viewing.

Overall

If you are looking for a charging dock that has style, flair, looks great, then the RokDock accomplishes that. If you are an habitual phone junkie and are constantly grabbing your phone for something, I don’t think this dock would work in your favor. As I stated, I have since moved the dock to my room next to my bed to charge my device overnight and easily let me see the time and swipe away the alarm. For this purpose, it is pretty great since the dock is 3 pounds and the chances of me knocking it over are very slim.

The RokDock is available via RokForms website for $99.99. They are made in the U.S.A., so that is a definite perk.