Apple MagSafe Battery: Everything You Need to Know [updated]

Apple introduced its MagSafe Battery Pack, adding an additional battery designed to work with iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max. Priced at $ 109, the MagSafe Battery Pack offers additional battery life for the iPhone 12 lineup and has some nifty features too, like a reverse wireless charging option that lets you charge it using the iPhone's battery.

This guide presents all the details we know about the new MagSafe battery and how it works.

Design

The MagSafe battery has a rectangular design that matches the shape of the iPhone and connects to the back of an iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro or 12 Pro Max to provide additional power.

Apple only introduced the MagSafe battery in white, with the Apple logo on one side. It has a size suitable to take up the entire back of an iPhone 12 mini from underneath the camera space, so if it is placed on other larger models it will be smaller than the back of the iPhone.

The back of the MagSafe battery (where the Apple logo is visible) has a rounded, slightly soapy shape, while the front is flat with the MagSafe circuit board.

It has a built-in Lightning port for charging the MagSafe battery pack.

Loading speed

The MagSafe Battery Pack charges an iPhone 12 model at 5W when connected to an external charger, a limitation set by Apple to avoid heat issues and to extend battery life.

When the MagSafe battery is connected to an iPhone and connected to a Lightning to USB-C cable, using a 20W or greater charger, the iPhone can be charged via the 15W MagSafe battery.

Most people will use the MagSafe battery while on the go, and in this situation, it is good to know that charging is limited to a lower speed of 5W.

Battery size

Apple has not provided details on the extra battery life that an iPhone user can get by using the MagSafe battery.

The MagSafe battery pack has an internal 7,62V 11,13Wh, 1460mAh battery. In comparison, the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro have a 10,78 Wh battery, the iPhone 12 mini has an 8,57 Wh battery, and the 12 Pro Max has a 14,13 Wh battery.

The MagSafe battery is 11mm thick. and weighs between 114/115 grams. This means that an iPhone 12 mini with the added battery weighs 250 grams, more than the iPhone 12 Pro Max, which weighs 228 grams. Obviously an iPhone 12 mini costs € 809, plus the € 109 (€ 918) battery. The iPhone 12 Pro Max costs 1.259 euros.

Qi-based wireless charging is not efficient and some of the battery capacity is lost, so it's not entirely clear how much an iPhone 12 will be able to charge using the MagSafe battery, especially since the charging capacity can vary depending on the temperature. conditions.

Approximately, the MagSafe battery can provide a full charge for the iPhone 12 mini and a partial charge for the rest of the iPhone 12 models.

Reverse charge

The MagSafe battery pack has a reverse wireless charging function. This means that if you are charging the iPhone, MagSafe will also charge at the same time.

So you can charge both the iPhone and the MagSafe battery pack at the same time through the Lightning port of the MagSafe battery pack or through the Lightning port on the iPhone and get the same end result while charging both devices.

Apple says this charging method is useful when the iPhone is connected to another device, such as a wired CarPlay setup or when the iPhone is connected to a Mac.

When charging the iPhone and MagSafe battery at the same time, the iPhone will charge to 80% or more before the MagSafe battery starts charging.

Note that a 20W or greater power adapter is recommended for charging and is required to charge the iPhone at 15W when the MagSafe battery is connected.

The MagSafe battery can charge AirPods without using cables, but it can't charge an Apple Watch.

Displays the charge status

The MagSafe battery charge level can be viewed in the Batteries widget which can be placed on the home screen or accessed via the Today view.

The battery level of the MagSafe battery is displayed along with the iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods, and other connected accessories.

Heat and load control

There are charge management features built into the MagSafe battery pack designed to help maintain battery health when

There are charge management features built into the MagSafe battery pack designed to help maintain battery health when the MagSafe battery is connected to power for extended periods of time.

Apple claims that an iPhone 12 could overheat while charging. If this happens, to extend battery life, Apple says the software may limit the charge beyond 80%. If this happens, Apple recommends moving to a cooler location, as the iPhone will charge when the temperature drops.

When you use the MagSafe battery to charge an iPhone, you may get a notification that the iPhone will only charge up to 90%. To charge over 90%, Apple recommends opening Control Center by pressing and holding the power saving mode icon, then tapping "Continue".

If optimized battery charging is on, you can also see a notification on the lock screen informing you when the iPhone is fully charged. To force an upload, you can long press the notification and then tap Upload now.

Interaction with other MagSafe accessories

The MagSafe battery can be connected to a bare iPhone or an iPhone with a MagSafe case attached. If you are using a leather case, Apple warns that it may be scarred by the compression of the leather, which is normal. Those interested in avoiding charge marks should use a non-leather case.

Since the MagSafe battery needs direct contact with the iPhone, accessories such as the MagSafe Wallet must be removed.

Compatibility

MagSafe battery works with iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max. It will charge other devices such as the iPhone 11 line because it is only Qi based wireless charging, but only the iPhone 12 models have magnets to keep the MagSafe battery in place. IOS 14.7 or later is required.

Dove comprare

At the moment, the MagSafe battery is available only on the Apple website, and is priced at € 109.

Guide comments

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