All You Need to Know About MagSafe

No one is a stranger to the knowledge that we can expect new hardware product updates from Apple every year. Predicting the next iPhone release, and the new features that it will come with have become a tradition among Apple product users. The same goes for other products such as the iPad, Apple Watch, and MacBook. Apple is consistently keeping itself on the ball with exciting new updates.

One such recent release from Apple is MagSafe. MagSafe is a magnetic technology from Apple. Though it has been newly introduced for the iPhone 12, it is not new technology. MagSafe was introduced with the 2006 MacBook Pro as a power cable that magnetically attached to the computer with a satisfying snap. The name still pertains to magnet-based accessories, this time designed for iPhones rather than Macs. MagSafe is built into the internal engineering of the iPhone 12 models. By incorporating it into the iPhone 12, it has created a new ecosystem of accessories for easy attachment and faster wireless charging. The MagSafe is just the latest in how Apple has revolutionized technology, smartphones and charging systems. From wireless charging to MagSafe, we continue to see Apple’s innovations changing things as we know them.

MagSafe on iPhone

Much like a magnet snaps onto a refrigerator, MagSafe uses a ring of magnets in the iPhone 12 models to connect to accessories that have magnetic elements inside. The new MagSafe has been designed to charge your iPhone quickly and safely wirelessly by keeping the magnets on both the phone and the MagSafe charger perfectly aligned. The MagSafe is able to sense other MagSafe-compatible accessories and aids the charging process by snapping seamlessly and securely into place.

There is no need to worry about other magnets interfering, as MagSafe only attaches to other compatible MagSafe accessories. You might be wondering - why invest in MagSafe, when another wireless charging technology by iPhone is readily available – the Qi-enabled wireless charger.

The MagSafe system intelligently adapts to conditions in order to optimize charging – it is able to charge at up to 15W of peak power delivery for faster wireless charging. With a typical Qi charger, the power is reduced, and charge times may be slower. This means that, with a MagSafe, you will spend less time charging. With the snap-on attachment of MagSafe, you can also eliminate the worry of your phone vibrating and disrupting the charging process.

The new generation of MagSafe used in iPhones includes added features like a new magnetometer and a single-turn coil NFC reader. These features not only help with sensing the magnetic field but also pose fascinating applications for the future as they allow the phone to recognize and react to compatible accessories.

The Boundless Possibilities MagSafe Brings

Wireless charging is only part of the picture with MagSafe. The MagSafe technology is leading to an entirely new ecosystem of accessories. In broad terms, there are two types of MagSafe accessories: MagSafe chargers and MagSafe-enabled accessories such as wallets, mounts and so on.

For example, Apple has created its own leather wallet that easily snaps to the back of the iPhone 12 or MagSafe case. Apple is also integrating MagSafe into its proprietary chargers and to the back of its own silicone and leather cases. This allows you to use MagSafe chargers while having your device in its case.

The MagSafe Duo Charger by Apple combines a MagSafe charger with an Apple Watch charging puck. Its foldable nature makes it ideal for travel too. We can also look forward to an Apple leather sleeve that is able to detect your iPhone 12 and turn on your clock to be visible through the sleeve’s window whenever you snap it close.

Third-party accessory manufacturers are also free to use MagSafe in a variety of ways, and this has opened the door for them to adopt the technology into their own products. For example, Belkin has a 3-in-1 dock that is able to hold your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods. They have also announced an in-car mount using MagSafe. It also has a 2-in-1 dock which just has the iPhone MagSafe charger and the AirPods cradle.

Should You Get a MagSafe Charger?

The first point to consider when deciding before you go rushing down to the Apple Store to get a MagSafe charger would be whether you own an iPhone 12. MagSafe chargers are first and foremost, made for the iPhone 12. If you are using an older iPhone, it would be pointless to purchase a MagSafe charger since you will not enjoy any of its benefits.

If you are an iPhone 12 owner and would like to have a dramatically quick charging speed, it is definitely worth looking into getting a MagSafe charger. Between the magnets themselves, the magnetometer, and the NFC reader, there is much that MagSafe can do. And there is only more to come as the rumour mill churns while the time of the year for a new iPhone comes in September.