Apparently, you HAVE to use Apple’s 20 watt charging brick to get the full 15 watt MagSafe charge

[Techmaestro]

Obviously, the reviews and tests are still coming in but according to some early tests they suggest only Apple’s 20 watt charger will get you the full 15 watt MagSafe “fast” charge. I’ve seen a lot of reviewers suggesting that you can purchase a cheaper 20 watt charger, as they say, “link in the description” to save some money but if these initial tests are true that certainly raises some questions. The first two that come to mind are:

1. Was this really about the environment or truly, as it is starting to feel to me, a money grab? Again, if true, why lock it down in this way?
2. The belief that Apple’s 20 watt charger is the only charger than can provide the full 15 watt MagSafe charge feels ani-competitive

 

[1rottenapple]

The plot thickens. I think profit is number 1 motivator and environmental reasons are the second reason. No proof of course but it’s not a benevolent reason.

 

[cardfan]

The plot thickens. I think profit is number 1 motivator and environmental reasons are the second reason. No proof of course but it’s not a benevolent reason.

Lol. Of course profit was the motivation. It’s Apple.

 

[UKapple73]

I saw a YouTube video that showed it takes over 5 hours to charge a 12 pro with MagSafe and 20w brick
That’s slower than 12w wired charger
Seems even MagSafe is inefficient like all other wireless charging options

 

[GhostriderS85]

I saw a YouTube video that showed it takes over 5 hours to charge a 12 pro with MagSafe and 20w brick
That’s slower than 12w wired charger
Seems even MagSafe is inefficient like all other wireless charging options

That can’t be right, i can charge my iphone 12 pro from 0 to 50 percent in exactly 50 minutes using magsafe and anker nano 20w brick, so basically 1 percent every minute

 

[ericwn]

That can’t be right, i can charge my iphone 12 pro from 0 to 50 percent in exactly 50 minutes using magsafe and anker nano 20w brick, so basically 1 percent every minute

So the claim / fear from the OP is wrong and a 3rd party charger works as well?

 

[joonyaboy]

Glad I bought Apple charger over Anker

 

[AlecEdworthy]

So the claim / fear from the OP is wrong and a 3rd party charger works as well?

Seems to according to this article

https://translate.googleusercontent...ne-12/&usg=ALkJrhi6EHMP0mGuGcrBSVC_fSsdt7yN9w

Basically MagSafe is slow as compared to using a cable, but when using MagSafe it doesn't matter if it's Apple's 20W charger or not is my takeaway.

 

[GhostriderS85]

So the claim / fear from the OP is wrong and a 3rd party charger works as well?

Well, there was another video posted on youtube about magsafe used with the apple 20w brick, it took 14 minutes to charge his iphone 12 pro from 50 to 60 percent, i tried the same method using anker nano 20w with magsafe, i was able to charge my iphone 12 pro from 50 to 64 percent in 14 minutes,

so if his test is accurate, i’ll say that the anker nano 20w is faster than apple’s based on both of our tests

 

[edhchoe]

Fast charging + heat = bad for your battery.

 

[Otflyer]

Fast charging + heat = bad for your battery.

Agree. Never accepted wireless charging Myself. Doesn’t appear to be any advantage over wired charging.

 

[1rottenapple]

Fast charging + heat = bad for your battery.

Agreed. If the pro max battery is as good as people claim I’ll charge it overnight with my trusty 5w charger and regular light cable. Heck I sometimes charge my 16 MacBook Pro overnight with the iPad Pro 18watt charger and it does that job overnight.

 

[Apple_Robert]

My Mophie Qi charger does 7.5w max. I will probably use that. A little faster but not by much.

 

[artfossil]

Agree. Never accepted wireless charging Myself. Doesn’t appear to be any advantage over wired charging.

Wireless charging has a huge advantage if your lightning port doesn't work.

 

[thadoggfather]

Holy crap can’t even use my 29w?

I have four of those

At least I got a spare usbc to lightning now haha

 

[musicpenguy]

How can I tell if I have the 18W or 20W? I looked at both of mine and the tiny text looks identical ...

 

[TechLord]

So you need to buy the 20 watt charging brick, to plug in your magsafe charger, which ultimately charges slower than the 20 watt charger when wired? Seems more logical to just use the usb-c cable provided with the 12 and combine it with the 20w brick.

 

[Lobwedgephil]

How can I tell if I have the 18W or 20W? I looked at both of mine and the tiny text looks identical ...

If you didn't buy the 20 W in the last couple of weeks, you don't have it.

 

[ericwn]

Wireless charging has a huge advantage if your lightning port doesn't work.

Same boat here. And with the second iPhone in a row.

 

[doboy]

So you need to buy the 20 watt charging brick, to plug in your magsafe charger, which ultimately charges slower than the 20 watt charger when wired? Seems more logical to just use the usb-c cable provided with the 12 and combine it with the 20w brick.

Wireless charging is slower than wired charging, but can be more convenient.

 

[Paco II]

So someone posts a video of someone saying that someone else ran some tests? I don't know if the claim is true or not but I sure need something more definitive than that. All I know for sure is that the magsafe seemed to charge my 12Pro pretty fast plugged into a ravpower 60w charger. I am sure we'll soon get some legit confirmation either way.

 

[TechLord]

Wireless charging is slower than wired charging, but can be more convenient.

The standard QI ones yes since you can just place and pick up your phone with one hand while walking past. But for the MagSafe you need to use both hands to apply and remove it the same as you would a wired charger, and you need the wire and brick anyway; so you may as well just do 20w wired charging over magsafe.

 

[doboy]

The standard QI ones yes since you can just place and pick up your phone with one hand while walking past. But for the MagSafe you need to use both hands to apply and remove it the same as you would a wired charger, and you need the wire and brick anyway; so you may as well just do 20w wired charging over magsafe.

That’s why I said it CAN be. I agree MagSafe is not convenient.

 

[Paco II]

The standard QI ones yes since you can just place and pick up your phone with one hand while walking past. But for the MagSafe you need to use both hands to apply and remove it the same as you would a wired charger, and you need the wire and brick anyway; so you may as well just do 20w wired charging over magsafe.

I can easily pick up my phone and pop off the magsafe all with one hand. Fwiw.

 

[Nozuka]

The standard QI ones yes since you can just place and pick up your phone with one hand while walking past. But for the MagSafe you need to use both hands to apply and remove it the same as you would a wired charger, and you need the wire and brick anyway; so you may as well just do 20w wired charging over magsafe.

Of course you can remove it one-handed. The MagSafe charger just needs to be bigger than the phone, so you can push it down a bit.
The one from Apple is too small for that though.


That being said, i will likely continue to use the cable. According to QI tests, you are wasting at least 40% of energy with wireless charging. (Up to 80% if you misalign the phone, but that shouldn't happen with MagSafe. Cases can also make it worse)

Not seen an efficiency test of MagSafe yet, but it likely won't be much better.