Leaker: MagSafe could fly out of the iPhone
Chinese rumor mill says, Apple finds the MagSafe technology, available since iPhone 12, too complex. The cost of magnets is also allegedly too high for Apple.
MagSafe charger: Here is the Duo, which can charge the iPhone and Apple Watch.
(Image: Apple)
Apple is said to have internally considered discontinuing MagSafe, its magnetic charging and accessory technology used since 2020, for the iPhone. This is claimed by the usually reliable leaker Instant Digital from China. In a post on the microblogging service Weibo, he writes that there has been “a big controversy” over whether MagSafe should continue to be used. Apple had also planned to bring MagSafe to the iPad but then did not implement it. Meanwhile, however, it is unclear whether the – quite successful – technology is still worthwhile.
Many reasons speak for MagSafe
The reason: The necessary magnets are, although Apple increasingly relies on recycling, very expensive for the company. According to Instant Digital, the mood internally has now turned, which was “very aggressive” in terms of expansion at the introduction of MagSafe in 2020 with the iPhone 12. Meanwhile, Apple had omitted MagSafe with the iPhone 16e for rather flimsy reasons. However, with the iPhone 17e released this year, the technology returned to the entry-level and business customer model.
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The technology is by no means unpopular; Apple received a lot of criticism for omitting it in the 16e. Furthermore, as Instant Digital also admits, there is a large ecosystem – from charging pads and charging pucks to countless cases, magnetic accessories such as card slots, special pouches or even lamps and much more. In addition, charging via MagSafe (or Qi2, which uses MagSafe technology with Apple's consent) is simpler because the iPhone always aligns correctly on the charging surface. This also allows for higher charging powers. However, it is also clear: Wireless charging is not as fast as with a cable due to the losses from the coils used, and the heating of the iPhone can also strain the battery.
iPhone Ultra will be interesting
According to Instant Digital, there is now an internal Apple debate about whether the magnets are still worthwhile given the existing ecosystem or not. For the iPhone 16e, case manufacturers – although not Apple itself – had stepped in and simply integrated the necessary magnets into the case.
It remains unclear how Apple will implement the MagSafe issue with the iPhone Fold planned for autumn, as this foldable phone is likely to be thinner than any iPhone before it when unfolded. It is conceivable that there is simply not enough space here. However, MagSafe is also in the iPhone Air.
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