Testing the new MagSafe battery for iPhone 12

Ever since the introduction of the MagSafe system that brought the iPhone 12’s magnetic charging union into everyone’s mind, there was the perfect accessory for this new technology: a portable battery. Be able to charge your iPhone with a small accessory that will attach to the phone without the need for cables It’s something we couldn’t even dream of for a few years, and now it’s a reality. It was clear that Apple should have thought about it, and although other manufacturers anticipated it, we already have this portable battery under the name of MagSafe Battery Pack.

Small and simple but rare?

The new MagSafe battery meets the expected specifications. Small at just 115 grams and slightly thicker than the iPhone 12, this soap bar-shaped battery is only available in white. Its matte white plastic surface was a surprise, as many of us expected the classic white silicone that Apple used in its battery case. Perhaps this material is a success, which surely resists the passage of time better., because the white silicone is poorly resistant to external aggressions. A Lightning connector and a small LED next to it are the only elements that can be highlighted. The connector to recharge the battery (or the iPhone as we will see later), and the LED light to indicate the state of charge, with the classic orange and green colors of Apple. THE part that is attached to the iPhone is covered with gray silicone to protect the glass surface of the phone.

The other surprise came in the form of charging capacity: 1,460 mAh which seemed too rare to be able to obtain a moderately important recharge of our phones. Much has been written about this figure, negatively of course, but there are important details that many wanted to ignore. For example, the voltage is double that of most batteries of this type (7.62V), which gives us a total of 11.12Wh which means that in practice, We can compare this battery with others that have twice the capacity, around 2,900mAh. With this charging capacity, this MagSafe battery does the job it’s designed for – giving iPhone a boost so that it can last all day with heavy use.

MagSafe System

As the name suggests, the battery uses the MagSafe system to charge your device and connect to your iPhone. The iPhone’s magnets and the battery itself are magnetically attached so that it stays in the perfect place and you can use your iPhone while you use it. The grip is good or not, depending on whether you use it with a shell on the iPhone or not. This is something that I have already noticed with all the MagSafe accessories that I have tried: if you use them with the “naked” iPhone, the grip is insufficient, and before any lateral pressure it is easily removed. However, things change drastically when you add coverage to the set. Of course it must be a “MagSafe” box, more and more common in the catalog of major manufacturers like Nomad or Spigen, in addition to the official Apple boxes.

The holster-compatible grip is really good, and the holster can be easily slipped into almost any pants pocket without detaching from the iPhone, like taking it out. Of course also in backpacks, bags, coats, etc. The MagSafe system is here to stay and I’m not surprised that other manufacturers emulate it, because it opens up a world full of possibilities in terms of accessories for our phone. Not only does it provide convenience in terms of putting on and taking off, but it also helps the by definition inefficient wireless charging system improve in this regard, wasting less energy as the adjustment between charging coils is perfect.

Simplicity and versatility

The MagSafe battery works like Apple’s battery boxes for previous generations. No power buttons, put on and charge, peel off and turn off. But there is a substantial difference, because while the case has been worn since you left home, this MagSafe battery can be carried in your pocket and placed only when you need it, which is a huge improvement. Why add a power button? If you’re not going to use it, the normal thing is that you aren’t carrying the iPhone with that “bump” on it, and when you need it, you snap it in and that’s it.

However, the case has quite a complex operation, yes, completely transparent to the user. You can charge your iPhone with a power of 5W, or 15W, depending on how you use it. It can be recharged via the Lightning cable, or via the iPhone. And also take care of your iPhone’s battery by turning it off as soon as the phone reaches 90% charge. It’s the only one on the market that can do all of this, and it does it without the user having to use menus or press any buttons.

If you put the MagSafe battery in your iPhone you will receive a 5W recharge which will last approximately 2 hours until the external battery is completely discharged. The iPhone recharge percentage will depend on the model, the smaller ones being the ones that will get a higher percentage, as is evident:

• iPhone 12 mini: 80% more
• iPhone 12 and 12 Pro: 60% more
• iPhone 12 Pro Max: 50% more

A meager recharge? If you compare it to a 20,000mAh power bank, without a doubt. But the idea of ​​this MagSafe battery is not to charge your iPhone several times. Depending on the iPhone you have, How much extra battery would you need on heavy use days so you don’t run out of phone in the middle of the afternoon? I think the numbers I put above will be pretty close to what you thought. The purpose of the MagSafe battery is to get you through the day smoothly. As an iPhone 12 Pro Max user, I can count the days when I’m running low on battery and send them late on the fingers of both hands, but they exist. If I had had that “extra” MagSafe battery it would have held up without a hitch.

The other very criticized aspect is the slowness of the recharge: 2 hours. I don’t see the problem, since the battery is stuck to my iPhone and I can continue to use it without a problem. During this week I have been able to try it on several times, and it is very comfortable to wear, it does not mind when using the iPhone, so I don’t care if it takes an hour or two, it hardly adds anything to my final verdict about this MagSafe battery.

But it is not, because if I connect this battery to a charger of 20W or more, it will be able to recharge my iPhone with a power of 15W. That is, the MagSafe battery can be a perfect fast charging base for our trips. An important detail is that it can charge any device compatible with Qi charging, although it does not do so at 15W or take advantage of the MagSafe system, but for example it can charge my AirPods. Perfect for travel, as it’s a charging base for iPhone and AirPods, which I can also take in my pocket to charge the phone if I need to. Of course, the 20W charger and the USB-C to Lightning cable should be put by you, as neither of them are included in the box (no comment).

The MagSafe battery has allowed us to definitively confirm that the iPhone 12 has reverse charging, that is, it can serve as a charging base and use its battery to charge other devices that are compatible with charging without wire. For now (and that surely won’t change) this is limited to the MagSafe battery, which can be recharged as long as it is attached to our iPhone and connected to a charger. But this battery recharge is extremely slow, practically unnecessary. It is best to connect the battery to the charger and let it and the iPhone charge. Of course, it can also be recharged on its own via a Lightning cable, completing a full charge in about 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Editorial review

The MagSafe battery responds perfectly to the idea that was conceived: to charge the iPhone so that it can last all day during intensive days when in the middle of the afternoon it always leaves you in the dark. Could you charge the iPhone more? Sure. Could it be faster? As well. But you have to strike a balance between size and performance, and I think what Apple has achieved with this battery is absolutely correct. Do you need a bigger battery for multiple charges? This is not the product category this MagSafe battery belongs to. Are there cheaper batteries? Of course, but none have all the advantages that Apple gives us. Is it worth paying 109 $ for it? I leave it to your choice after knowing all its details. If you are interested, you can buy it from Apple at this link.

The inconvenients

• 5W charging
• Recharge iPhone 12 Pro Max up to 50%
• High price
• Does not include adapter or cable