Apple’s MagSafe for phones has advanced fairly a bit since its debut on the 2020 iPhone 12 line, bringing magnetic wi-fi charging from the iPhone to the AirPods. Since Apple’s MagSafe is suitable with the Qi2 wi-fi charging normal and has confirmed well-liked, we’re beginning to see Samsung, Google and OnePlus present assist for related magnetic equipment.
Even higher, these wi-fi charging equipment are cheaper now than they have been when MagSafe debuted, with corporations resembling Anker and Belkin making Qi2 magnetic charging pads and stands that assist 15-watt speeds without having Apple’s certification and approval. However for those who get a brand new iPhone 16 and use it with one in every of Apple’s MagSafe chargers and a 30-watt energy adapter, now you can get even quicker 25-watt charging speeds.
Learn extra: iPhone 16: What We Know About the Release Date, Leaks and More
However it’s not nearly charging. Apple’s MagSafe for iPhone permits for all kinds of magnetic circumstances, wallets, stands, grips and different equipment that may be shortly connected to the again of an iPhone utilizing built-in magnets. This has led to an assortment of equipment — some formally licensed by Apple and others which can be merely magnetic — that benefit from the function to offer loads of customizable choices.
In order MagSafe grows, and hopefully begins coming to non-iPhone gadgets because the Qi2 normal, let’s decipher what Apple’s MagSafe for iPhone precisely is and methods to inform the distinction between that, non-magnetic Qi2 chargers and equipment that merely magnetically connect to your cellphone.
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What’s MagSafe for iPhone?
Apple’s MagSafe for iPhone normal refers to each a sequence of magnets which were put in in most new iPhone fashions since 2020 — exterior of the iPhone SE — and a wi-fi charging normal that may recharge an iPhone quicker than the unique Qi normal.
Apple’s MagSafe allows for accessories that may be connected to an iPhone utilizing magnets. These embody MagSafe cellphone circumstances, wallets, mounts, grips, chargers, stands and lots of different choices.
Earlier than the launch of the Qi2 normal, Apple’s MagSafe wi-fi charger was additionally the one method to get quicker 15-watt wi-fi charging to work on an iPhone, with Apple citing that the magnets allowed a safe match to assist hit these speeds. Now, Qi2 chargers present the identical 15-watt speeds for earlier iPhone fashions, whereas the iPhone 16 sequence can hit 25 watts over Apple’s MagSafe chargers when used with a 30-watt adapter. When utilizing a normal Qi charger, the iPhone caps the speed at half that velocity, providing 7.5-watt wi-fi charging.
The Belkin Increase Cost Professional 3-in-1 Qi2 charger
What’s Qi2 charging, and the way is it totally different from MagSafe?
Qi2 is an open standard and iterates on high of the prior Qi wi-fi charging normal whereas incorporating components of Apple’s MagSafe normal. This contains each magnetic compatibility and a 15-watt wi-fi charging velocity, that means that any cellphone that helps Qi2 might probably assist magnetic equipment together with quicker wi-fi charging.
As of proper now, nevertheless, the one Android phone that natively supports Qi2 is the HMD Skyline, however there are already a number of corporations making Qi2 equipment that work throughout each the Skyline and Apple’s iPhone. For its new Galaxy S25 telephones, Samsung is now promoting first-party circumstances which can be “Qi2 Ready” — that means that the circumstances embody the magnets wanted to assist magnetic equipment. OnePlus is selling a similar magnetic case for its OnePlus 13, and Google’s up to now introduced that it’ll present support for the Qi2 standard by contributing towards its growth.
Apple has additionally up to date all of its MagSafe-compatible iPhones to support Qi2, that means that for those who purchase a Qi2 wi-fi charger it ought to assist quicker 15-watt wi-fi charging. Plus, Qi2 telephones that embody magnets ought to assist the plethora of magnetic equipment that have been first launched with MagSafe in thoughts, possible bringing compatibility to docks, mounts, grips and pockets equipment. A few of these Qi2 equipment are additionally barely cheaper than MagSafe-certified equipment, which require a certification by Apple so as to get the MagSafe branding.
Belkin’s iPhone mount attaches with MagSafe.
Which MagSafe equipment can I take advantage of?
With the launch of Qi2, there are actually a number of several types of magnetic equipment that might work together with your cellphone. This could get a bit complicated, however for those who purchase a magnetic cellphone accent and your cellphone helps both MagSafe or Qi2, it ought to connect and performance to various levels.
If you happen to purchase a MagSafe or Qi2-certified wi-fi charger, it’s best to be capable of use it to get the utmost 15-watt wi-fi charging velocity once you’ve connected it to your cellphone. This contains charging docks and stands which additionally embody MagSafe or Qi2 branding. When you have an iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro, you will get quicker 25-watt charging utilizing a MagSafe charger that is related to a 30-watt or faster power adapter.
If you happen to purchase a magnetic wi-fi charger that doesn’t specify whether or not it is MagSafe or Qi2-certified, that possible signifies that whereas the charger will connect to your cellphone, it should in all probability cost on the unique Qi normal that’s restricted to a 7.5-watt velocity when utilizing it with an iPhone. Outcomes might range when utilizing one with an Android cellphone, since some telephones do assist 15-watt wi-fi charging over the prior Qi normal.
And in case you are shopping for a non-charging magnetic accent — like a pockets or a dock for utilizing your cellphone as a webcam — that accent will possible work with any MagSafe suitable cellphone no matter its branding. These equipment are created with the magnets contained in the cellphone in thoughts and can largely connect no matter their certification. Nonetheless, I’ve observed — in my very own private expertise — that the power of the magnets can range between accent makers. For example, in case you are shopping for a magnetic grip, check it out a bit after shopping for to verify it matches your wants such as you would a pair of sneakers, and do not destroy the field in case you determine to return it.
Which iPhones are suitable with MagSafe?
Each iPhone that is been launched since 2020 — barring the iPhone SE line — is suitable with MagSafe and the Qi2 normal. This contains the iPhone 12 line and later. The iPhone 11 shouldn’t be suitable with MagSafe, but it surely does work with the unique Qi wi-fi normal for charging. It simply will not be as quick nor contain magnets.
The HMD Skyline is likely one of the first Android telephones with Qi2 assist, together with the flexibility to make use of magnetic attachments.
Which Android telephones are suitable with MagSafe or Qi2 wi-fi charging?
The HMD Skyline is the primary Android cellphone to assist the Qi2 wi-fi normal, with built-in magnets for attaching magnetic equipment. Exterior of that machine although, you possibly can typically add a “MagSafe-like” expertise to an Android cellphone utilizing magnetic circumstances that some accessory-makers create. As talked about earlier, Samsung and OnePlus are beginning to present first-party assist with magnetic circumstances, however there are sometimes third-party choices for including magnets to telephones that assist wi-fi charging.
Your success might range vastly with these choices although, since you’ll be utilizing MagSafe or Qi2 equipment with telephones that do not formally assist it. As talked about earlier, it’s best to deal with it like a pair of sneakers and be ready to return the accent for those who uncover it would not be just right for you.
The AirPods 3 function wi-fi charging with MagSafe.
Can I cost my Apple Watch or AirPods over MagSafe charging?
The Apple Watch doesn’t assist MagSafe charging: it makes use of a unique sort of magnetic wi-fi charger to refill its battery. Nonetheless Apple’s AirPods are far more versatile, as relying on the mannequin you may be capable of recharge with each an Apple Watch charger or utilizing a MagSafe suitable wi-fi charger.
All AirPods Pro circumstances assist Qi wi-fi charging utilizing a MagSafe charger or a normal Qi wi-fi charger. This additionally extends to the second- and third-generation normal AirPods circumstances. The brand new AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation and the AirPods Pro 2 each embody Qi/MagSafe wi-fi charging and may use an Apple Watch charger. The usual AirPods 4 nevertheless lack wi-fi charging and as an alternative solely use wired USB-C charging.
What about MagSafe on Apple’s MacBook laptops?
MagSafe on Apple’s MacBook is separate from the road of MagSafe equipment for the iPhone. These proprietary laptop computer chargers — which briefly went into retirement when the MacBook line adopted USB-C charging — connect shortly to suitable MacBook laptops utilizing a magnet and may simply detach within the occasion the wire is by chance pulled from the laptop computer. That is significantly appropriate for anybody that tends to journey over an influence wire.
Ought to your MacBook embody each a MagSafe port and USB-C ports, you possibly can select both technique for recharging your laptop computer. Simply do not attempt to slap an iPhone’s MagSafe charger towards the pc, as that can do nothing.
