Apple is working on a MagSafe-compatible battery pack for the iPhone 12, which, unlike previous Smart Battery Cases for previous iPhones, can be attached to the iPhone 12 models with magnets.
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The battery slides on and off the iPhone with ease, and because it’s easy to remove, it won’t be as bulky or clunky as previous Apple-designed battery options. The MagSafe battery pack isn’t out yet, but this guide covers everything we’ve heard about it so far.
Current rumors
Signs of a MagSafe battery were spotted for the first time in code in the beta version of iOS 14.5, which had a reference to an unannounced ‘battery pack’. The name stood out because there is no current product that Apple calls a battery pack, as previous Apple-designed battery options were called Smart Battery Cases.
After code is found in beta, Bloomberg confirmed Apple’s work on a MagSafe battery pack, which has reportedly been in development for at least a year.
Design
The MagSafe battery attaches to the back of an iPhone and some prototypes have a white rubber exterior.
Previous smart battery cases were available in white, along with black and pink, so we could see some of the same color options with the MagSafe battery pack. It is likely that the MagSafe battery has a silicone coating similar to Apple’s silicone iPhone cases.
There’s no word yet on how big the battery pack will be, nor how thick it will be, but again, the Smart Battery Case might provide some pointers.
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Apple’s “Smart Battery Case”
All Smart Battery Cases had a bump on the back where the battery was housed so we could see the MagSafe battery pack worked the same way and it could be about the same size as the Leather Wallet mount, another MagSafe accessory that fits on the back of a MagSafe iPhone.
Magnetic strength
According to BloombergApple has extensively tested the magnetic strength of the MagSafe battery to ensure it remains firmly in place while charging.
Loading speed
A MagSafe battery pack may charge the iPhone 12 models at the same rate as a standard MagSafe charger, but it is not guaranteed and charging may be slower due to the lack of a power adapter. The MagSafe charger charges the iPhone 12, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max with up to 15W and the iPhone 12 mini with up to 12W, but that charging speed may not be necessary for a battery pack that stays on the back of the phone while on the move. are.
Developmental problems
Apple has been working on the MagSafe battery pack before the iPhone 12 models were launched, but Apple has run into software issues that have delayed the launch of the accessory.
Apple is trying to fix an issue that causes the iPhone to incorrectly report that the battery is overheated, and there are also issues when a user switches between using the MagSafe battery when a case is attached and when the cover is removed.
That there are issues may come as no surprise to those who have had Apple’s previous Smart Battery Cases as there have been issues with some of them. In 2020, Apple launched a replacement program for Smart Battery Cases designed for the iPhone XS, XS Max and XR, as charging issues occurred in some of these cases.
Alleged characteristics
Leaker Jon Prosser, who has a mixed track record when it comes to forecasting Apple’s plans, says there will be two versions of the MagSafe battery pack, one of which will feature “reverse charging”.
It is not clear what “reverse charge” means in this context. It could possibly charge more than one device at a time, such as charging the iPhone and the AirPods at the same time, or it could refer to the iPhone that can charge the battery when connected to a Lightning cable.
Alternative options
Other companies are developing MagSafe compatible battery packs. For example, Anker has introduced the PowerCore Magnetic 5K Wireless Power Bank, which is designed to stick to the back of a MagSafe iPhone using the magnetic connection.
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Anker’s magnetic PowerCore power bank is not designed with Apple’s official MagSafe system and can only charge an iPhone with up to 5W.
Date of publication
Due to the development issues faced by Apple, it is not clear when the MagSafe battery pack will be released, and Bloomberg said there is a chance it could eventually be postponed or canceled.