MagSafe (wireless charger) explained

MagSafe
Type:Smartphone wireless power transfer connector
Manufacturer:Apple Inc.
External:Yes
Hotplug:Yes

MagSafe is a proprietary, magnetically attached wireless power transfer and accessory-attachment standard developed by Apple Inc. for its iPhone and AirPods product lines. It was announced on October 13, 2020, in conjunction with the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro series. It provides up to 15 W of power and is compatible with the open Qi standard for up to 7.5 W of power. The connector also enables connecting non-charger accessories such as card holders and cases with communication through an integrated NFC loop. The charger uses a circle of rare-earth magnets.[1]

Apple released two chargers using the MagSafe standard in 2020: the MagSafe Charger, which is a single charging pad for iPhone, and the MagSafe Duo Charger, which is a charging mat with both MagSafe and an Apple Watch charger.[2] Apple has also licensed the MagSafe standard to third parties to develop chargers and cases. In 2021, Apple released the MagSafe Battery Pack and added MagSafe charging to AirPods and AirPods Pro.

History

The MagSafe name was first used by Apple for the conductive power connectors of its MacBook lineup, beginning with the 2006 MacBook Pro. It began to be phased out upon the release of the fourth-generation MacBook Pro in 2016, which used USB-C for charging.[3] MagSafe was discontinued across MacBooks in 2019, but reintroduced with 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models released in October 2021.[4]

In 2017, Apple announced AirPower, a wireless charging mat capable of charging an iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch (which uses a proprietary wireless charging system) simultaneously and the devices could be placed anywhere on the mat. However, it was canceled in early 2019 due to overheating issues due to the many overlapping coils.

Apple announced MagSafe along with the iPhone 12 series on October 13, 2020, during the “Hi, Speed” Apple Special Event as a universal ecosystem of wireless charging and accessories. Apple's chargers based on MagSafe are their first to use the Qi standard, following the development of AirPower.[5] The MagSafe receptacle on iPhones, internally called MagSafe Attach,[6] uses magnets to align automatically and attach to a Qi charger, ensuring reliable charging.[7] [8]

On October 18, 2021, Apple released the 3rd generation AirPods and an updated SKU of AirPods Pro with a bundled MagSafe charging case.[9]

In 2023, the Wireless Power Consortium announced the Qi2 standard that is based on MagSafe.[10]

Chargers and accessories

MagSafe Charger

The MagSafe Charger is a single charging pad that contains recyclable rare-earth magnets surrounding a Qi wireless charging coil attached to a 1m USB-C cable. The MagSafe Charger delivers up to 15 W of power on the iPhone 12, 13, 14 and 15 series, with the exception of the iPhone 12 Mini and 13 Mini, which support 12 W.[11] The Wall Street Journal found MagSafe charged at half the speed of a 20W wired charger. MagSafe can also charge other Qi-certified devices, including older iPhone models and AirPods, though testing has found that MagSafe charges significantly slower than 7.5 W Qi chargers on iPhones older than the iPhone 12 series.[12] Devices without MagSafe need to be manually aligned as they do not have the built-in array of magnets that interlock with MagSafe.[13] [14] Apple recommends a 20 W power adapter.[15] Users have reported MagSafe Chargers leaving circular imprints on leather cases.[16]

MagSafe Duo Charger

The MagSafe Duo Charger is a foldable charging mat with a MagSafe charger on one side and an Apple Watch charger on the other. The Apple Watch charger disc can laid flat for face-up charging or can be vertical for nightstand use. The MagSafe Duo charger can be folded when not in use.[17] [18] The charger came with a Lightning–to–USB-C cable, and Apple recommends their newer 30 W USB-C power adapter (released in 2018), and notes their older 29 W adapter is incompatible and can only charge one device at a time.[19]

Durability testing performed by Apple Insider found that the hinge could fail with frequent folding, noting it "started to break down at 180 folds and ultimately failed at 212."[20] The larger camera array on the iPhone 13 Pro elevates the top end from the charger with a case, though charging is unaffected.[21] The MagSafe Duo does not support fast charging on the Apple Watches released since 2021 (Series 7 and later, Ultra).[22] The MagSafe Duo was discontinued in September 2023.[23]

MagSafe Battery Pack

In July 2021, Apple released the MagSafe Battery Pack. It contains a 11.13Wh, 1,460mAh battery that on its own can charge an iPhone at up to 7.5 W.[24] While the pack is being charged via Lightning it can charge an iPhone at up to 15 W. The pack itself can be charged either directly through its Lightning port or wirelessly from an iPhone that is being charged via Lightning.[25] [26] [27] The MagSafe Battery Pack was discontinued in September 2023 around the time the iPhone 15, which charges via USB-C rather than Lightning, was released.

Cases, wallets and sleeves

Apple released a line of MagSafe cases and other accessories, such as leather sleeves and wallets that can attach magnetically to iPhones and cases with MagSafe. Apple states MagSafe charging works through their cases. Apple states that their leather wallets are shielded to protect credit cards from the rare-earth magnets used in these accessories, although warns that credit cards should not be placed between an iPhone and a MagSafe charger.[28] In 2021, Apple released an updated MagSafe wallet with an NFC chip that supports Find My location tracking when the wallet is disconnected from an iPhone, but is not supported by Apple's clear cases for iPhone 12 models.[29]

Third party chargers and accessories

Apple refers to officially licensed third party MagSafe products as "Made for MagSafe". Apple worked with Belkin to design chargers using MagSafe, including a 2-in-1 charger, 3-in-1 charger and a car mount.[30] [31] At launch, Belkin was the only accessory maker Apple had licensed the MagSafe charging standard to; while other third-party accessory makers advertise magnetic charging products as "MagSafe compatible," they use older Qi standards that deliver a maximum charging speed of 7.5 W, compared to MagSafe's 15 W, and lack integrated NFC.[32] [33] In 2022, accessory maker Mophie worked with Apple to release a 3-in-1 Made for MagSafe travel charger; Nomad also released a charging base.[34] [35] OtterBox manufactures officially licensed cases and a 2-in-1 charger.[36] [37]

Devices supporting MagSafe

The following devices support MagSafe:

External links

Notes and References

  1. Apple Event — October 13. YouTube.
  2. Web site: Apple Events — October 2020. October 16, 2020. Apple. en-US.
  3. Web site: What Ever Happened to One of the MacBook's Best Features?. Gear Patrol. Tucker. Bowe. May 28, 2020. October 14, 2020. en-US.
  4. Web site: MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch - Technical Specifications . Apple (UK).
  5. Web site: Apple announces iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini: A new era for iPhone with 5G. July 18, 2021. Apple Newsroom. en-US.
  6. Web site: Accessory Design Guidelines for Apple Devices . June 14, 2022 . . 108.
  7. Web site: Kingsley-Hughes. Adrian. Apple solves iPhone's wireless charging hit-n-miss with MagSafe. July 18, 2021. ZDNet. en.
  8. Web site: Accessory Design Guidelines for Apple Devices. Apple Developer.
  9. Web site: AirPods Pro Now Available With MagSafe Charging Case for Same $249 Price. October 18, 2021. MacRumors. October 18, 2021 . en.
  10. Web site: January 3, 2023 . New Qi2 Standard for Wireless Devices Ensures Enhanced Consumer Convenience and Efficiency . January 3, 2023 . www.businesswire.com . en.
  11. Web site: How to use your MagSafe Charger with iPhone 12 models and later. September 24, 2021. Apple Support. en.
  12. Web site: PSA: Non-iPhone 12 Models Charge Super Slowly With MagSafe Charger. October 3, 2021. MacRumors. October 23, 2020 . en.
  13. Web site: Phelan. David. Apple MagSafe For iPhone 12: Complete Review. July 18, 2021. Forbes. en.
  14. Web site: Stein. Scott. MagSafe on iPhone 12: I still want USB-C, but I was wrong about Apple's magnetic charger. July 18, 2021. CNET. en.
  15. Web site: How to use your MagSafe Charger with iPhone 12 models. July 18, 2021. Apple Support. en.
  16. Web site: MagSafe chargers may imprint leather cases, are compatible with 12W adapters. July 18, 2021. AppleInsider. October 24, 2020 . en.
  17. Web site: Apple MagSafe Duo Charger Review: Useful, but expensive and underwhelming. July 18, 2021. TechCrunch. en-US.
  18. Web site: Bohn. Dieter. November 9, 2020. The Apple MagSafe Duo charger is overpriced and under-delivers. July 18, 2021. The Verge. en.
  19. Web site: Porter. Jon. December 11, 2020. Apple's old 29W chargers aren't good enough for MagSafe Duo. July 18, 2021. The Verge. en.
  20. Web site: MagSafe Duo review: almost everything you need, but has too many compromises. July 18, 2021. AppleInsider. June 28, 2021 . en.
  21. Web site: iPhone 13 Pro not a perfect fit with MagSafe Duo, but charging is unaffected. September 23, 2021. AppleInsider. en.
  22. Web site: Apple's $129 MagSafe Duo Charger Can't Fast Charge Apple Watch Series 7 . October 15, 2021 . MacRumors . October 15, 2021 . en.
  23. Web site: September 12, 2023 . Apple Discontinues MagSafe Battery Pack and MagSafe Duo Charger . September 12, 2023 . MacRumors . en.
  24. Web site: MagSafe Battery Pack Now Able to Charge at Faster 7.5W Speed After Firmware Update . April 22, 2022 . MacRumors . April 20, 2022 . en.
  25. Web site: MagSafe Battery Pack. July 18, 2021. Apple. en-US.
  26. Web site: Apple's MagSafe Battery Pack has more capacity than it seems — here's why. July 18, 2021. AppleInsider. en.
  27. Web site: Apple's MagSafe Battery Pack: Everything You Need to Know. July 18, 2021. MacRumors. en.
  28. Web site: November 2, 2020. How to use your MagSafe Charger with iPhone 12 models. December 29, 2020. Apple Support.
  29. Web site: Campbell. Ian Carlos. September 14, 2021. Apple's updated leather MagSafe wallet supports Find My location tracking. January 28, 2022. The Verge. en.
  30. Web site: Belkin's MagSafe Boost Charge Pro review: worth the wait. July 18, 2021. AppleInsider. June 28, 2021 . en.
  31. Web site: Patel. Nilay. April 16, 2021. Six months later, there still isn't a MagSafe car charger. July 18, 2021. The Verge. en.
  32. Web site: Karcz. Anthony. MagSafe Cases And Accessories For The iPhone 12: Everything You Need To Know. July 18, 2021. Forbes. en.
  33. Web site: Staff Writer. Buyer beware: 'MagSafe compatible' is not the same as 'Made for MagSafe'. July 18, 2021. Macworld. en-US.
  34. Web site: Mophie Debuts $150 MagSafe-Compatible 3-in-1 Travel Charger. January 19, 2022. MacRumors. January 18, 2022 . en.
  35. Web site: Review: Nomad Launches 'Base One' Official MagSafe Charger for $130 . March 2, 2022 . MacRumors . March 2022 . en.
  36. Web site: Carnoy. David. Best MagSafe and magnetic wireless chargers for Apple iPhone 12. July 18, 2021. CNET. en.
  37. Web site: Potuck . Michael . July 26, 2022 . OtterBox 2-in-1 MagSafe Charging Station for iPhone and Apple Watch has slick Pro Display XDR-style design . July 29, 2022 . 9to5Mac . en-US.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "MagSafe (wireless charger)".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.