Apple's $129 MagSafe Duo Charger Can't Fast Charge Apple Watch Series 7

[Pilot Jones]

They’re still selling and supporting the S3 so I’m not sure backwards compatibility is somehow lacking.

Selling old products ≠ Backwards compatibility

Backwards compatibility is letting me continue to run 32 bit apps on my 64 bit Mac after a Software Update from Mojave to Catalina.

It's something that is completely within the realm of possibility, but was a purposely imposed as a restrictive measure.

 

[dumastudetto]

That is just not true.

If that's the case we should've had 120Hz iPhones last year and the power button TouchID on this years models.

What about the garbage 720p webcams that current Macs STILL ship with in 2021 (hopefully that changes in a few days).

Apple has never been a benevolent operation that strives to make products the very best they can be in that moment in time. They strategically trickle in features to create incremental updates that keeps people coming back and upgrading as frequently as possible.

Please understand, I am not presenting this as moral criticism. Apple is a business, this is how businesses maximize profit. It is merely an observation.

I think 120Hz has been held back until Apple could optimise the iPhone experience to handle the variable refresh rates correctly. Apple has less battery to play with than rivals, through choice, so they had to spend more time optimising the experience in a deeper technological way. I've been wanting 120Hz for ages, so I can understand the frustration. But also, I would have been more frustrated if 120Hz was done the wrong way and depleted my iPhone battery far too quickly each day.

Now Apple has this wider refresh rate range to play with, Android device makers are implementing things in a similar way. It used to be Androids had 120Hz but defaulted to 60Hz out of the box. Then they started doing 60Hz, 90Hz, or 120Hz automatically based on conditions. Now they are all going to start doing the 10Hz to 120Hz range because it will really beef up battery runtimes. Apple simply waited until the technology was ready to deliver the best possible experience.

iPads have much bigger batteries so they could more aggressively rollout 120Hz displays on those devices sooner. The technology didn't need to be absolutely perfect.

 

[Pilot Jones]

I think 120Hz has been held back until Apple could optimise the iPhone experience to handle the variable refresh rates correctly. Apple has less battery to play with than rivals, through choice, so they had to spend more time optimising the experience in a deeper technological way. I've been wanting 120Hz for ages, so I can understand the frustration. But also, I would have been more frustrated if 120Hz was done the wrong way and depleted my iPhone battery far too quickly each day.

Now Apple has this wider refresh rate range to play with, Android device makers are implementing things in a similar way. It used to be Androids had 120Hz but defaulted to 60Hz out of the box. Then they started doing 60Hz, 90Hz, or 120Hz automatically based on conditions. Now they are all going to start doing the 10Hz to 120Hz range because it will really beef up battery runtimes. Apple simply waited until the technology was ready to deliver the best possible experience.

Alright you make a fair point, so I'll give you that. What about everything else though?

Do you think a 1080p webcam on a Mac also needs that kind of optimization? Or that an iMac Pro has less processing power to open up a 3D map compared to an M1 MacBook Air?

 

[dumastudetto]

Alright you make a fair point, so I'll give you that. What about everything else though?

Do you think a 1080p webcam on a Mac also needs that kind of optimization? Or that an iMac Pro has less processing power to open up a 3D map compared to an M1 MacBook Air?

They couldn't fit a 1080p webcams into the thin display on MacBooks. The 720p ones fitted just fine, so they just stuck with those without increasing the overall thickness. I imagine advances in technology now allow them to pack a 1080p webcam in the position where it lives.

I don't follow Mac as closely as I used to, because I transitioned away to iPad Pro.

I believe the iMacs have had 1080p webcams for ages because there's always been a bit more thickness/area to play with there.

iMac Pro isn't being updated anymore because of the transition away from Intel, and also because they finally did get around to releasing the new Mac Pro afterwards. The M1 is also an amazing processor, and future iMacs are going to be blazing fast when they all start getting faster versions.

 

[Pilot Jones]

They couldn't fit a 1080p webcams into the thin display on MacBooks. The 720p ones fitted just fine, so they just stuck with those without increasing the overall thickness. I imagine advances in technology now allow them to pack a 1080p webcam in the position where it lives.

I don't follow Mac as closely as I used to, because I transitioned away to iPad Pro.

I believe the iMacs have had 1080p webcams for ages because there's always been a bit more thickness/area to play with there.

iMac Pro isn't being updated anymore because of the transition away from Intel, and also because they finally did get around to releasing the new Mac Pro afterwards. The M1 is also an amazing processor, and future iMacs are going to be blazing fast when they all start getting faster versions.

You say that, but thin, compact 1080p webcams have been around for some time now already.

iMacs have not had 1080p for ages, it just got them this year in 2021. The older iMacs were wayyyy thicker and there was no 1080p in sight there. Why would that be? They were far chunkier and if Apple really wanted to make the best possible product, there was more than enough space to do that.

Regarding the iMac Pro, Intel vs M1 is redundant. What I am talking about is a purposeful restriction of features via software, in a device that can most certainly handle said feature. The iMac Pro is 100% a more graphically capable device than the M1 MacBook Air. There is no reason it should not be able to handle a simple 3D Map View.

Again, I am only trying to make one single point with all of this:

Apple is NOT a benevolent operation whose single purpose is to "always about being the best it can be today", as you put it. It is an intensely strategic (and for that reason, successful) business which thrives off of keeping its customers on their toes. If they always gave us the absolute best possible iPhone and the best possible Mac, no one would upgrade for another 5 years.

 

[Lexio]

Good to know. I wanted to buy this thing recently but will hold on until there is a new version.

 

[dumastudetto]

You say that, but thin, compact 1080p webcams have been around for some time now already.

iMacs have not had 1080p for ages, it just got them this year in 2021. The older iMacs were wayyyy thicker and there was no 1080p in sight there. Why would that be? They were far chunkier and if Apple really wanted to make the best possible product, there was more than enough space to do that.

Regarding the iMac Pro, Intel vs M1 is redundant. What I am talking about is a purposeful restriction of features via software, in a device that can most certainly handle said feature. The iMac Pro is 100% a more graphically capable device than the M1 MacBook Air. There is no reason it should not be able to handle a simple 3D Map View.

Again, I am only trying to make one single point with all of this:

Apple is NOT a benevolent operation whose single purpose is to "always about being the best it can be today", as you put it. It is an intensely strategic (and for that reason, successful) business which thrives off of keeping its customers on their toes. If they always gave us the absolute best possible iPhone and the best possible Mac, no one would upgrade for another 5 years.

Yeah like I said I haven't been following the Mac line closely for sometime. I did think iMacs got 1080p previously, but now IIRC they just got sensor improvements and not full 1080p. Thinness was definitely the reason why they stuck around on 720p for so long. Other OEMs may have thicker devices, or using a really junky sensor to boast about 1080p.

I'm not really up to speed on Mac as I have just proven, so I can't get really have an educated debate with you on your other points.

iPad Pro does what I need in terms of more advanced computing now. Mac is legacy, and dead to me pretty much.

 

[orbital~debris]

So wasteful. So much for environmentalism.

Rubbish! It still works just fine, just not quite as fast as possible.
If people didn’t throw stuff away the second they weren’t the latest thing, there would be less waste.

 

[KindJamz]

I think it is more that technology advances... I suppose Apple could have made the MagSafe Duo just a holder for the pucks so you could swap them out as newer models with newer features were released, but other OEMs likely will encounter the same issue with their stands that have hard-fixed pucks that cannot be swapped out.

Yes but other companies are not the company that makes the watch and MagSafe charger. Poor form

 

[Abazigal]

Apple is NOT a benevolent operation whose single purpose is to "always about being the best it can be today", as you put it. It is an intensely strategic (and for that reason, successful) business which thrives off of keeping its customers on their toes. If they always gave us the absolute best possible iPhone and the best possible Mac, no one would upgrade for another 5 years.

This strikes me as a rather specious argument, because while it may technically be true, I don't feel like it adds anything meaningful to the discussion. Of course every company is in it to make a profit. It still doesn't explain why Apple chooses to behave in the manner that it does, or why they prioritise certain design decisions over others.

For example, the choice of 720p cameras in iMacs could have been a conscious decision based on cost considerations as well as Apple deeming them "good enough" for the general populace, until the pandemic struck and the update of video conferencing tools increased the desire for better webcams. That the M1 MBA continues to sport 720p cameras (albeit with better software processing) may suggest that this is more a technical limitation than Apple deliberately choosing to hold back on users.

If I wanted to reframe your statement, I would argue that Apple is about creating products that are, to them, the perfect balance of form and function. Note the "to them" up there. It's obviously not something everyone agrees on, but this is through the eyes of Apple's design department, not the general populace, and while you may disagree, you have to admit that they are close to correct (most of the time).

 

[alexjholland]

huh? That’s the opposite of what I would expect it to be useful for. When I am traveling I take a lot of pictures, videos or in the case of the Watch, lots of walking and thus I need to charge my devices back up to 100% as fast as possible before leaving the hotel again compared to when I am home, there I don’t need fast charging as I will be … home, sleeping

Yes, that’s exactly when I use it - sleeping. I spend 3-4 months in any country/apartment and want a nice, aesthetic, minimalist setup - but weight’s a factor.

Magsafe Duo is perfect.

 

[alexjholland]

Why is this product good for a traveler, let alone anyone? So you only have to take one cord.. (the other cord weighs less than half a gram, yet you have to carry the actual mag duo) this product is just pointless.

The MagSafe Duo goes on the desk in my apartment, which is where I work.

It’s perfect.

 

[alexjholland]

I travel a third of the year for work. This overpriced POS isn’t for me either.

I spend 3-4 months in any location and have no ‘home base’. Very different to going on business trips.

MagSafe Duo gives me a clean, aesthetic charging setup on my desk in any apartment that I rent.

 

[alexjholland]

Speed is actually the goal for perpetual travelers. You’d need a fast charger so you can check in or catch the next plane, or have a quick top up before the meeting, or fast fueling before enjoying a 2-hours tour with the ferry.

Travelling is one of those hectic times where you taking bunch of photos, videos, texting and you definitely need some speedy charging.

Yes, that’s what I have a couple of Anker PD bricks for.

My MagSafe Duo goes on my desk in any apartment that I rent for a clean, minimalist, overnight charging solution.

I live in rented apartments - it’s not just an overnight stay.

 

[alexjholland]

Not true! I use mine at home as a way to combine charging my phone and watch with minimal cords.

I was wondering about this issue myself and while I’m a bit disappointed about the Duo not fast charging the AW7, it still works fine for an overnight charge like I usually do. For me, having the Duo and it’s features and convenience outweighs the lack of the fast charge. No biggie…

Actually, you’re using it exactly the way that I do. For a minimalist, smart charging solution - anywhere I am.

 

[darngooddesign]

This isn't innovation. This is them holding back technology to create an additional talking point for the lack luster series 7. Haven't you figured Apple out by now?

Kind of a dumb point for you to make. If Apple had released fast charging with the AW5 then you probably would have complained that its wasn't released with the AW4 because they were "holding back technology".

 

[darngooddesign]

Haha! So basically the only other reason for justifying an upgrade (from series 6) is the 1mm increase in screen size.

Glad I cancelled my order even more now!

The AW7 is a great upgrade for people with older AWs. If you have to justify an upgrade then you don't really need it; and complaining that it doesn't meet your wants is dumb.

 

[DaSal]

This strikes me as a rather specious argument, because while it may technically be true, I don't feel like it adds anything meaningful to the discussion. Of course every company is in it to make a profit. It still doesn't explain why Apple chooses to behave in the manner that it does, or why they prioritise certain design decisions over others.

For example, the choice of 720p cameras in iMacs could have been a conscious decision based on cost considerations as well as Apple deeming them "good enough" for the general populace, until the pandemic struck and the update of video conferencing tools increased the desire for better webcams. That the M1 MBA continues to sport 720p cameras (albeit with better software processing) may suggest that this is more a technical limitation than Apple deliberately choosing to hold back on users.

If I wanted to reframe your statement, I would argue that Apple is about creating products that are, to them, the perfect balance of form and function. Note the "to them" up there. It's obviously not something everyone agrees on, but this is through the eyes of Apple's design department, not the general populace, and while you may disagree, you have to admit that they are close to correct (most of the time).

The current M1 MacBooks have 720p cameras because they share the same body as the old versions. This means they don’t have to redesign anything or change their production processes, they can just dump in the m1.

when they redesign the chassis next time I’m sure it will have a 1080p camera.

And yes you can be sure that Apple always leaves some low hanging fruit juist so that they can have a big flashy improvement next year for people to fawn over.

Websites and reviewers in general are expertly manipulated in this way, because somehow a MacBook ‘finally’ getting a 1080p webcam (or a better keyboard, more ports, whatever) will always result in an explosion of super praising blog posts, articles , videos etc.

Apple can always count on youtubers to make such a big deal about the inevitable 1080p camera that they will sell it FOR them in their videos.

 

[xyz01]

Well puck [sic] Apple! That is planned, purposeful obsolescence. You don’t think Apple became a trillion dollar company without screwing over customers right and left, now do you? That is why they often change the size of iThingies just enough to make you have to buy another case, and now they change the charging specs to screw you over too. Steve was a greedy turd, but Tim is pure evil…

Let's not exagerrate. It still works, and it still charges the watch just as fast as last year's model. It just doesn't support a faster version of charging that didn't exist when it was released. I don't think that's the bar for planned obsolescence.

As for it being ridiculously overpriced - compared to other Apple products - I agree. At a third of the price, it would be still be an expensive, premium product for the category it is in, and also needing a separate power brick at $20.

 

[xyz01]

MagSafe Duo is great for perpetual travelers.

One cable and I get an elegant way to charge my iPhone and Watch in any hotel or AirBnB. Speed isn’t the goal.

If you live in one place then don’t sweat - this product isn’t for you.

If they cared about travelers, lightning would be dead on phones and headphones.

 

[KennyB123]

heh. So, you can’t fit an iPhone 13 with Apple case on the phone side, and can’t fast charge your AW on the watch side? “It just works”!! 😜

(I have none of these things, so have no stake in it. Just joshing…)

I have an Apple magsafe case on my iPhone 13 and it charges fine on the phone side. I agree that it sux for those who want the fast charging, but I have no need for my Watch 7 to fast charge.

 

[alexjholland]

If they cared about travelers, lightning would be dead on phones and headphones.

Well, that's complex.

Apple developed Lightning because USB-C wasn't ready.

Now there seems to be a combination of sunk cost fallacy + unwillingness to change cables again.

And as we all know, a shift to a portless iPhone is probably the eventual solution.

 

[moshmike]

You're such a sucker if you bought one of these. I have had the same thing basically for over a year that cost me only $30 and works great.

Hey! Can you please share what did you buy that cost $30? I’m interested! Thank you.

 

[darngooddesign]

If they cared about travelers, lightning would be dead on phones and headphones.

I mean, if the rest of the industry cared about travelers it would have jumped from USB-A to USB-C, without having mini-USB or Micro-USB.

 

[switz]

For international travel, one has to purchase at least the Apple 30 watt charger in order to have plug blade interchangeability with the Apple International plugs kit. That is the same charger that came with my M1 MacBook Air. Since I charge the iPhone 13 Pro Max and iWatch v6 overnight, my Apple duo works just fine. I have multiport USB C chargers that can charge the 11" M1 iPad or iPad mini v6, MBAir and iPhone and iWatch using USB A charger cables.