Apple’s MagSafe iPhone 12 Battery Pack Is Here, and I’m Not Impressed

When Apple introduced the iPhone 12’s MagSafe magnetic charging characteristic, we assumed {that a} MagSafe model of Apple’s Smart Battery Case would comply with intently behind. After all, it instantly appeared like the obvious use of the brand new, and arguably greatest, iPhone 12 characteristic. Why it wasn’t able to go when the iPhone 12 lineup grew to become accessible is unknown, however Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack is right here, and at first look it’s a bit underwhelming.

For starters, Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack has a capability of simply 1,460 mAh, in line with labels on the back of the accessory. The iPhone 12 Mini, 12, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max have battery capacities of two,227 mAh, 2,815 mAh, 2,815 mAh, and three,687 mAh, respectively. So you possibly can in all probability solely anticipate the MagSafe battery to recharge smaller iPhone 12 fashions again to about half capability, and probably even lower than that, given how inefficient wi-fi charging really is. (The course of produces quite a lot of warmth, which is wasted power.)

By comparability, the Anker PowerCore Magnetic 5K Wireless Power Bank, which has been accessible for months already, packs a 5,000 mAh battery able to nearly fully recharging even the biggest iPhone 12 fashions. It additionally prices simply $40, the place as Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack is $99. Yikes.

But Apple’s late-to-the-game answer does include some advantages that third-party chargers like Anker’s don’t. With the upcoming iOS 14.7 replace put in, the MagSafe battery’s remaining battery life may be monitored inside iOS, the identical manner the battery life for equipment like AirPods and the Apple Watch are. Apple additionally guarantees that its restricted 5W charging speeds may be boosted to as much as 15W when the battery is related to a “higher than 20W power adapter,” however that negates the comfort of a wi-fi battery pack.

The iPhone may also be used to cost the MagSafe Battery Pack whereas it’s piggybacking by merely plugging the smartphone into an influence supply, however it can cost slower than if it’s straight tethered to an influence supply. It’s an attention-grabbing characteristic, however a distinct segment one, and it may not be fairly sufficient to justify $99 when different options can do extra for much less. We haven’t but examined the MagSafe Battery Pack, so keep tuned to see if Apple’s expensive new accent is value the fee.