This year Apple finally released its iPhone 12 lineup which includes a range of new phones and accessories. It has launched four new iPhone 12 models – the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 Mini. All of these come with 5G, better cameras and the return of a beloved Apple MacBook feature: the MagSafe charger.
The back of the phone comes with alignment magnets, so you can snap the charger to the back of your phone. The company also released a potentially limitless number of magnetic accessories that work with this magnetic back, such as cases, docks, mounts and even a wallet. The company says that MagSafe will lead to an entirely new ecosystem of accessories. In fact, MagSafe accessories are one of the iPhone 12’s best features.
Cnet has exclusively reviewed what says MagSafe does, how it works and how you might use it once you upgrade it.
How does MagSafe work on iPhone 12?
The new MagSafe charger is a simple wireless charger that magnetically attaches to your phone. The iPhone 12 is embedded with what Apple describes as “an array of magnets” (Apple says they’re recycled) around a centred charging coil, which is optimized for alignment and efficiency, that perfectly connects to iPhone every time. MagSafe chargers efficiently provide up to 15W of power, while still accommodating existing Qi-enabled devices.
When the charging end of the power cord is brought close to the iPhone’s back, those magnets will pull it into place. In the same way, the other MagSafe accessories are attached and, depending on what you’re snapping on, the iPhone will display a brief animation related to the accessory to confirm that it’s locked on.
Will Apple include a MagSafe charging cable along with the iPhone 12?
No, Apple will include only a USB-C-to-Lightning cable in the box with new iPhones. It would not even include the power brick or the earbuds. The company’s two MagSafe charging cables one standalone and the other which also charges an Apple Watch will be sold separately, but Apple confirmed that at least one other manufacturer, will be selling MagSafe-compatible charging cables as well.
How much will Apple’s MagSafe accessories cost?
The standalone MagSafe iPhone charger is available for preorder for $39, while the clear and silicone cases cost $49. The leather wallet costs $59. No word yet on the dual iPhone and Apple Watch charger’s price or availability.
All the accessories using MagSafe:
Apart from the MagSafe charger, Apple has released an array of leather, silicone and clear cases. It has also announced a leather wallet which can also be added on top of the cases. You can use the wireless charging feature with the case on but it won’t be possible with the wallet attached.
In the upcoming months, you can expect third-party accessory makers to come up with various other possibilities including mounts, like for the dash in your car, and docks for your nightstand, table or desk.
Does MagSafe work with waterproofing?
No, every iPhone 12 is rated IP68, meaning water-resistant up to 6 meters for 30 minutes. In fact, MagSafe wireless charging may lead to even greater waterproofing, if Apple ever decides to go portless.
Is it necessary to use the MagSafe charger along with iPhone 12?
No, as of now, every iPhone 12 package comes with a USB-C-to-Lightning cable. The Lightning port on the phone itself will be backward-compatible with the Lightning chargers you already own. But the new Phone does not come with a power brick.
Does the current wireless charger work with the new iPhones?
Yes, the new iPhones are backwards-compatible with existing Qi-enabled wireless charging devices. The new iPhone is capable of pulling up to 15 watts, but if your old device supplies 7.5 watts of power, that’s how much your new phone will draw.
Interestingly, the new MagSafe charger is also backwards-compatible with older iPhones (but will only deliver 7.5 watts).
Didn’t Motorola also introduce magnetic accessories first?
In 2016, the Moto Z series introduced a phone that connected magnetically to Moto Mods which had cases, wireless battery packs, a projector, a mobile gaming console and even a fancy DSLR-like camera rig with optical zoom.
While Motorola issued magnetic Moto Z phones for a few more years, the modules never caught on and neither did the enormous ecosystem of accessories of which Motorola foretold.
How did MagSafe work on MacBook?
The original MagSafe on MacBooks was a way to magnetically attach Apple’s proprietary power cable to the laptop, designed to snap off with a tug. It was included in the name of safety.
It was aimed that we no longer worry about launching your laptop across the room by accidentally tripping over a power cord or falling yourself since the magnet was powerful enough to connect the cable but still loose enough to pull free in the event of a mishap.
On the iPhone, MagSafe seems to be more about mobility, making it easier to connect and disconnect to both power and accessories.
