Apple to Allegedly Rekindle 'MagSafe' Brand for Magnetic iPhone Case and Wireless Charging Accessories

[MacRumors]

A Chinese Weibo account going by the name "Kang" this morning posted allegedly accurate information for every product set to be announced at the upcoming Apple event on October 13, including details and launch dates for the full iPhone 12 lineup, and the rumored HomePod mini.

In addition, the original post also claims that Apple will announce a new magnetic iPhone case with "MagSafe" and two official Apple wireless chargers called "MagSafe Charger" and "MagSafe Duo Charger," one or both of which will have a 15-Watt power output.

The "MagSafe" brand name will resonate with readers who remember Apple's magnetically attached MagSafe power connector, which first appeared on MacBook Pro models in 2006 but despite its popularity was eventually discontinued across all Apple product lines between 2016 and 2019 and replaced with USB-C.

Back in August, images shared on Weibo that were said to be from the iPhone 12 depict a circular array of magnets in the body of the device. The leak was met with speculation that the magnets could be for alignment purposes should Apple release its own wireless charger.

EverythingApplePro, who shared the images on Twitter, also posted an image of an alleged iPhone 12 case with a similar array of magnets built in, which he suggested are "likely for perfect alignment with Apple's wireless chargers."

For months ahead of their unveiling, last year's iPhone 11 series was rumored to feature a Qi-based device-to-device charging feature, allowing for an Apple Watch, AirPods, and other accessories to charge on the back of the iPhones. The feature was expected to be similar to Wireless PowerShare on Samsung's Galaxy S10. According to Ming-Chi Kuo, however, the feature was abandoned because the charging efficiency did not meet Apple's requirements.

As it stands, Apple hasn't released any native wireless chargers for iPhone. The company canceled its much-anticipated AirPower charging mat last year due to quality concerns. Rumors persist that it continues to work on an AirPower-like charging mat, although faked images have been shared in support of this.

MagSafe power connector on MacBook Pro​

Today's comprehensive leak appeared in Chinese and an image of the original post on Weibo has been tweeted by leaker Ice Universe, who has provided accurate information on unreleased Apple products in the past.

Article Link: Apple to Allegedly Rekindle 'MagSafe' Brand for Magnetic iPhone Case and Wireless Charging Accessories

 

[farewelwilliams]

AirPower is back baby.

3 coils and use magnets to align the coils for perfect positioning and to prevent overheating.

 

[HeavenDynamic]

This is honestly exciting.

 

[fokmik]

Lets hope that magsafe duo charger can charge 2 iphones, and is not limited to 1 iphone and one small accessory like apple watch or airpods

 

[HeavenDynamic]

Lets hope that magsafe duo charger can charge 2 iphones, and is not limited to 1 iphone and one small accessory like apple watch or airpods

I don't think it can charge Apple Watch. This is the challenge that killed AirPower since the Watch has its own charging method.

 

[fokmik]

I don't think it can charge Apple Watch. This is the challenge that killed AirPower since the Watch has its own charging method.

the multiple coils killed the airpower...bec of the overheat
Again, i hope it can charge 2 iphones at the same time
Since this it will be magnetically with a lot less coils, im pretty sure the apple watch can be charged on this too

 

[JPack]

I don't think it can charge Apple Watch. This is the challenge that killed AirPower since the Watch has its own charging method.

A big question is whether it’s because of software limitations or whether different hardware is really required.

 

[Costino1]

A big question is whether it’s because of software limitations or whether different hardware is really required.

Looks like the hardware. The Watch needs a "cup" like charger to charge it. So far these pics just seem like it'll be a flat mat.

 

[locrumo]

These are all the leaks we have a week bewhore the event? LOL

 

[Chuzwuzzin]

"The original MagSafe power connector"

Sorry to be a pedant, but younger readers should know that the picture shows Magsafe 2, not the "original"

What's the difference between the original MagSafe connector and the MagSafe 2 in the new MacBook series?

Answer (1 of 5): They are identical. Once the ‘Retina’ MacBook Pro ‘ditched’ the optical drives, there simply wasn’t as much surface on the sides to accommodate the connector’s metal bezel, so the bulk of the metal migrated to the ‘sides’ to maintain the same magnetic ‘grip’. The spring-mounted ...

www.quora.com

.

 

[44267547]

These are all the leaks we have a week bewhore the event? LOL

What’s so funny about that? You are on a rumored website and ‘leaks’ have occurred hours before iPhone launches, this has potential to be very accurate leading into the 13th.

 

[Pangalactic]

I'm very surprised they didn't come up with a MagSafe USB-C

 

[itsmilo]

Why do we need the case? I suppose it is for charging "on the go" and the magnets will help it stay in place when moving around in the backpack?

iPhone 13 without lightning confirmed

 

[MiniApple]

Unless the devices are port less I see no big benefit personally to wireless charging. one further reason to wait for the 13 phones in 2021.
But at least they apparently found solutions to prevent the overheating issues.

 

[headlessmike]

Sorry for being even more pedantic, but that is actually MagSafe 1 with the L-shaped connector introduced after the original straight design. MagSafe 2 was thinner and came only in the straight design.

"The original MagSafe power connector"

Sorry to be a pedant, but younger readers should know that the picture shows Magsafe 2, not the "original"

What's the difference between the original MagSafe connector and the MagSafe 2 in the new MacBook series?

Answer (1 of 5): They are identical. Once the ‘Retina’ MacBook Pro ‘ditched’ the optical drives, there simply wasn’t as much surface on the sides to accommodate the connector’s metal bezel, so the bulk of the metal migrated to the ‘sides’ to maintain the same magnetic ‘grip’. The spring-mounted ...

www.quora.com

.

 

[edwrap]

I've always wondered if the efficiency issue is why Apple hasn't released any of their own wireless chargers. IIRC, you need something like 40-50% more electricity to charge a device wirelessly versus wired. This doesn't make much difference on a micro-level with individuals and small smartphone batteries, but on a macro-level with Apple (and Android) and hundreds of millions of devices, that adds up quickly.

 

[Moemen Eryani]

"The original MagSafe power connector"

Sorry to be a pedant, but younger readers should know that the picture shows Magsafe 2, not the "original"

What's the difference between the original MagSafe connector and the MagSafe 2 in the new MacBook series?

Answer (1 of 5): They are identical. Once the ‘Retina’ MacBook Pro ‘ditched’ the optical drives, there simply wasn’t as much surface on the sides to accommodate the connector’s metal bezel, so the bulk of the metal migrated to the ‘sides’ to maintain the same magnetic ‘grip’. The spring-mounted ...

www.quora.com

.

If you look closely, that picture shows the original MagSafe. None of the laptops that launched with MagSafe 2 also launched with a Ethernet cable. You can see the Ethernet port in the picture.

 

[7149041]

since the Watch has its own charging method.

AW is using Qi just like everything else, they mutilated it and closed the spec on purpose
[automerge]1602238425[/automerge]

MagSafe USB-C

I have one, but it's third party

 

[Delta-NC]

Deleted.

 

[69Mustang]

AW is using Qi just like everything else, they mutilated it and closed the spec on purpose

It's rumored that Apple forked standard Qi to make it proprietary (mistake imo). Plenty of videos show the AW responding to a standard Qi charger for about 2-5 seconds before turning off.

the multiple coils killed the airpower...bec of the overheat
Again, i hope it can charge 2 iphones at the same time
Since this it will be magnetically with a lot less coils, im pretty sure the apple watch can be charged on this too

Multiple coils wasn't the rumored killer. Signal interference causing overheating was the rumored culprit. Signal interference caused by the AW charging coils and the standard Qi coils not playing nice together. Multiple coils was a solved issue. Even small OEM's have multi-overlapping coil designs. To date, no company has been able to integrate standard Qi coils and AW proprietary charging in the same surface. Now, this is all rumor, so grain of salt and all.

 

[votdfak]

These are all the leaks we have a week bewhore the event? LOL

I see what you did there. LOL

 

[Digital Dude]

Sorry for being even more pedantic; that is actually MagSafe 1 with the L-shaped connector introduced after the original straight design. MagSafe 2 was thinner and came only in the straight design.

This brings back memories. I still have my 2006~2008 MagSafe unit(s). One looks as good as new and is the first Intel-based MacBook that Apple made. I wish I had kept my very first Apple IIc. Now back to my cave drawings.

 

[-DMN-]

Boy, that Apple tax sounds HEAVY with this one hopefully not to much!

 

[kalsta]

The "MagSafe" brand name will resonate with readers who remember Apple's magnetically attached MagSafe power connector …

If by 'resonate', you mean dismay users who still think MagSafe was one of the best things Apple ever did… sure. In an age of malicious data cables and juice jacking, it only makes more sense to include a dedicated power cable (without data) for MacBooks.

Anyway, carry on chatting about wireless charging for iPhones, and I'll go sulk in the corner with the other oldies who still 'remember' 2016.

 

[robertcoogan]

I hope this means Apple will bring back Magsafe for its laptops. I never understood why they removed it.