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Many people feel that the most exciting new technology in the iPhone 12 is the new MagSafe charging and accessory system, but early experiences are revealing some annoying drawbacks. But first, let’s clarify exactly what MagSafe is.
How MagSafe works (new)
Most TidBITS readers look back fondly on Apple’s original MagSafe system, which used magnets to connect the power connector to an Apple laptop. It was easier to connect than any other connection method, and if you pulled the cable too hard or tripped over it, it would break harmlessly from the computer without dragging it off the table. The original MagSafe was brilliant, and Apple’s switch to the USB-C type of connector for charging, for all its other benefits, is a huge step back in the user experience.
Aside from its use of magnets, the new MagSafe is a very different beast. Whereas the old MagSafe was a wired connection with a magnetic attachment and reinforcement, the new MagSafe is completely “wireless”. It is based on the Qi “wireless charging” standard. (I keep putting “wireless” in quotes because there are still cables involved; it’s just that there are no cables between the charger and the iPhone).
A persistent problem with charging Qi is that it requires precise placement of a device on a charging pad, and any little push can stop the charge. Apple initially sought to address this concern with its AirPower charging mat, which would have allowed you to place an iPhone, Apple Watch, or AirPods case anywhere on the mat. However, AirPower was eventually rejected, reportedly due to overheating concerns (see “Apple Cancels AirPower, Can’t Take Heat”, March 29, 2019).
MagSafe is Apple’s Plan B solution. Rather than developing a mat that didn’t care about positioning, MagSafe employs magnets, so your iPhone precisely fits the charger at all times and stays there.
That magnetic attachment allows for other interesting possibilities, such as magnetically attached accessories. Apple is selling a leather wallet that attaches to the back of the iPhone 12, and accessory makers are churning out things like car mounts.
However, that magnetic accessory is not without its problems.
MagSafe magnets: too many and not enough
There is a key difference between the new MagSafe and the old one. While MagSafe on Mac was designed to be easily and safely disconnected from your computer with a pull on the cable, the new MagSafe is designed to stay firmly connected. Daring Fireball’s John Gruber explained in his review:
It sticks to the iPhone, so if you just pick up the iPhone while it’s charging, the MagSafe drive stays connected. It is best thought of as a magnetic replacement for a Lightning. cable, not a magnetic charge pad.
This is not necessarily a bad thing. For example, you can keep the MagSafe disk attached to the back of the iPhone while using it. And a solid connection is a must for attached accessories. But it’s a curious change in direction from MagSafe’s original purpose.
Unfortunately, while MagSafe is strong enough to drag your iPhone off the table if your cat is playing with the cord, it may not always be strong enough to keep accessories connected. Joanna Stern of the Wall Street Journal found that the iPhone wallet came off the iPhone when she put the pair in her pocket.
For that reason, Gruber is skeptical of MagSafe car mounts:
Many people wonder about car mounts – are magnets on their own strong enough to hold an iPhone? Based on the MagSafe loading disc, I’d say no, at least not if you do run into Philly quality bumps every now and then. But maybe a car mount can and will use stronger magnets. I guess car mounts will match MagSafe with some kind of clip or cup.
So a MagSafe connection may be strong enough to pull the iPhone to the ground if something snags the charger cable, but not strong enough to hold the accessories, as would be ideal. But how does the upload speed compare to a wired connection?
MagSafe charging – slower than lightning
The most the iPhone 12 can draw from a MagSafe charger is 15 watts (and the iPhone 12 mini can reportedly only draw 12 watts). That’s twice as fast as the maximum Qi charge of 7.5 watts, but less than the 18 watts of power from the iPhone 11 Pro’s included power adapter. Consider the inefficiency of wireless charging and you’ll see dramatically slower charging speeds. .
Tom’s Guide ran some tests with Apple’s new 20-watt charger. With a Lightning connection, they charged an empty iPhone 12 to 57% after 30 minutes, but the same 30 minutes of charging with MagSafe brought the empty iPhone 12 only up to 32%.
Worse still, you’ll only see such fast charging speeds if you use Apple’s official 20-watt charger. YouTuber Aaron Zollo found that he could achieve a 15-watt charge with just the Apple charger. It’s not a matter of raw power: Apple’s MagSafe charger coupled with the company’s 96-watt MacBook Pro power adapter provided just 10 watts to the iPhone 12, and a 65-watt Aukey power adapter delivered only up to 9 watts.
No, it is not a conspiracy by Apple to sell more power adapters. The problem is that the power adapters must be compliant with the USB Power Delivery 3.0 standard to allow the MagSafe charger to provide the full 15 watt output. If you are buying a power adapter from another manufacturer, it should put 9 volts and 2.22 amps. However, few power adapters on the market currently support that standard.
Zollo also found that MagSafe accelerates charging based on temperature. If the iPhone gets hot, it reduces the power consumption to 10 watts. He also recommends charging without a case to avoid strangulation. Apple’s own MagSafe documentation says:
As with other wireless chargers, your iPhone or MagSafe charger can get a bit warm while the iPhone is charging. To extend the life of your battery, if the battery gets too hot, the software can limit the charge above 80 percent. Your iPhone or MagSafe charger may become hot and charging may take longer after heavy use. Your iPhone will charge again when the temperature drops. Try moving your iPhone and charger to a cooler place.
That inefficiency leads to slower load speeds and a tremendous waste of electricity. Eric Ravenscraft ran some tests and found that Qi wireless charging uses an average of 47% more power than a cable. It remains to be seen how MagSafe compares to regular Qi charging, but while MagSafe is likely to be a bit more efficient, there’s still a lot of watts dissipating into the air. That’s not a big deal for a phone, but on the scale of millions of iPhones? “If everyone in the world switched to wireless charging, it would have a measurable impact on the global power grid,” Ravenscraft said. It’s strange that Apple is switching to inefficient wireless charging while putting so much emphasis on the environment (see “Read Apple’s 2020 Environmental Progress Report,” August 24, 2020).
Want to try MagSafe? Prepare your Apple Card
Unfortunately, almost nothing associated with MagSafe comes in the box. Apple said it’s removing power adapters (and wired headphones) from the iPhone case for the sake of the environment, under the assumption that almost everyone already has a power adapter. That may be true (and we certainly have a lot), but unfortunately, the cable Apple included in the box is Lightning-to-USB-C. Most iPhone users probably don’t have a USB-C power adapter lying around.
Apple’s MagSafe charger will cost you another $ 39, and as mentioned above, you need the $ 19, 20-watt power adapter to get the most out of it, bringing the total cost to $ 58.
Apple will also sell the MagSafe Duo charger, which can charge both an iPhone 12 and an Apple Watch for $ 129.
But be careful with your Apple card!
Magnets Credit cards. We are not talking about chocolate and peanut butter. Apple documentation says:
Do not put credit cards, security credentials, passports, or key fobs between your iPhone and the MagSafe charger, as this could damage the magnetic strips or RFID chips on those items. If you have a case that contains any of these sensitive items, remove them before charging or make sure they are not between the back of your device and the charger.
That being said, the product page for the iPhone leather wallet says, “The leather wallet is protected, making it safe for credit cards.”
Apple is probably being overly cautious here, so I doubt the magnetic stripe is likely to rub off as long as you don’t put your credit card between the iPhone and the MagSafe charger. But it’s worth being careful nonetheless.
Be
Finally, before you buy that iPhone wallet, be aware that the MagSafe charger could make a bad impression. Apple documentation says:
If you keep your iPhone in a leather case while charging with your MagSafe charger, the case may show circular fingerprints from the compression of the leather. This is normal, but if you are concerned, we suggest that you use a non-leather cover.
Personally, I would consider a circular print to be a natural consequence of using the MagSafe charger with a leather case, but it’s something to keep in mind before splurging.
Are MagSafe Compensations Worth It?
MagSafe is undoubtedly great technology, but it is far from perfect. It charges slower than a Lightning cable and is almost as inconvenient. Attach accessories, though perhaps not particularly well. And those accessories are not cheap.
Many have speculated that MagSafe will replace the Lightning port on future iPhones. I don’t think most people will be saddened to see Lightning go, but we would like to see MagSafe waste less power and be sure it will provide the right amount of magnetic force with accessories before Apple gives up on one. tried and tested and … true cable technology.
