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With the arrival of the iPhone 12, Apple has repurposed the MagSafe brand for a new wireless charging system for its smartphones. MagSafe cases made by Apple are now available, and it looks like more are on the way.
A new Apple patent discovered by Patently Apple shows a folio-style case with built-in MagSafe charging options. Magnets embedded within the case would allow it to be charged wirelessly with a MagSafe adapter.
Interestingly, there are also two slot designs so you can slide your AirPods in and charge them from the same case. When it’s time to get out of the house, you’ll have both your smartphone and wireless headphones fully charged and ready to go.
These sketches also show room for a built-in battery, giving you a carrying case and portable power pack in one. Apple has previously produced case and battery combinations like this one for the iPhone 11 and earlier, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a new one.
The patent documentation also includes a MagSafe-ready folio case design for the iPad, suggesting that charging technology is coming to Apple’s line of tablets soon. Apple hasn’t said anything about it yet, but it’s the next logical step.
However, as always with patents, we must emphasize that many patent ideas never appear on finished products. They are good indicators of the way of thinking of a company, but they do not represent a fully realized technology.
That said, it makes sense that Apple is developing new MagSafe accessories in this regard, and considering that Apple already has MagSafe cases for sale, this wouldn’t be too much of a stretch. AirPods integrated charging is the most notable new feature.
Pre-orders for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro are open now (shipping Oct 23), but you’ll have to wait until Nov 6 to enter your name for an iPhone 12 mini or iPhone 12 Pro Max (shipping for those phones are scheduled for November 13).
Via 9to5Mac