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Apple's New MagSafe Battery Won't Work on iPhone 17 Models

I just hoped for a new Magsafe battery from Apple.

I still have and use the original one, and it is amazing in that it works on ANY phone with wireless charging, including Android phones. I don't know how many times it saved me and my friends - just slap that sucker on and it gets you home.

It also does not discharge one bit in storage, I've had it charged up and left it in my bag for several months, still 100% battery when I go to use it.

There are a lot of good options out there, but none of them that I've tried works as well as Apples battery unfortunately.

One of my favourite Apple accessories ever. My Magsafe battery is losing capacity and I wont be able to replace it by the looks of it.
 
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MacRumors said:


Looking for a new MagSafe battery to power your pre-ordered iPhone 17? You might be out of luck if you were eyeing Apple's latest offering.

apple-iphone-air-battery-pack.jpg

Apple's newly released MagSafe battery pack comes with a big caveat: it only works with the all-new ultra-thin iPhone Air. The $99 accessory isn't compatible with the iPhone 17 or iPhone 17 Pro, according to Apple's official product page.

The compatibility restriction is a result of the battery's unusual design. Apple's store images show the tall battery pack would physically interfere with the camera systems on its other new iPhone models when attached.

That's in stark contrast to Apple's previous MagSafe Battery Pack, which worked across multiple iPhone generations before being discontinued in 2023. The new battery's exclusive compatibility reflects the iPhone Air's unique 5.6mm profile and smaller 3,149 mAh internal battery.

The news may be disappointing for iPhone 17 users, but the move makes sense given the iPhone Air's compromised battery life. Third-party MagSafe options do of course remain available for other models.

Article Link: Apple's New MagSafe Battery Won't Work on iPhone 17 Models
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Anker batteries have served us well for years. Even the penultimate ones we bought are useful as stands for Apple Fitness now they don’t charge!
 
technole said:
Makes sense, you need the Air magsafe battery to even approach iPhone 17 Pro Max battery level at 40 hours.
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Yep, this sounds like a good compromise to me. I don’t need to carry all that battery with me all the time, but can have this for when I go out for a long day, like at an amusement park or something where I know I’m going to have to have the brightness maxed a lot of the time
 
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As innovation slows (there really is only so much one can do with a phone), they are positioning thinness as the differentiator for discerning consumers. They look five years ahead and same as the original MacBook Air or iPad Air were underpowered, the “Air” is now the main consumer device.
In a few years, the iPhone Air will be better than today’s iPhone and it will be the main consumer choice; while the iPhone will die (like the MacBook) or be the cheap option (like the iPad).
 
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sleeptodream said:
How? Do you use all of your phone battery every day?

Or are there days where you know you’ll be out of the house for 12+ hours and will be using your phone a lot, with high brightness?

This is for those days, and that’s all
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I typically end my day with 35-40% battery life (Currently on the ProMax). For example my phone has not been charged since I took it off the charger 11 hours ago and I am at 70%, but to be fair today has been particularly light usage-wise.

I'm seriously considering the Air. I'd get the battery pack too, but it would definitely be a "I'm going to be out and about" sort of thing, not an every day thing. If the cameras were better it'd be a no brainer for me.
 
First of all, none of you have tested the battery life of the Air. It says it’s the same as the 16 pro. second, even if you got a battery pack, you would be extremely stupid to spend $100 on one in the first place. A good 10,000 mah magsafe pack costs around $40-80 on amazon. No need to get one this thin for $100.
 
AlexESP said:
There’s no need to overthink it too much. Depending on usage, this phone won’t be ok in terms of battery life for the daily usage of some people. But many people will be more than fine with it, and the external battery exists for moments when you need it, i.e. long trips — just like Apple introduced it.
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It has the same video playback numbers as the iPhone 16. It's more than adequate for most people. No one has said the 16 had horrendous battery life.
 
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The great thing about the previous Apple iphone battery pack is that it would activate and be used BEFORE the internal battery. I have never found another that will do that. This preserved my battery in my old XR iphone that had like 96% battery life after 5-6 years. I hope the new one does this.....
 
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BarrettF77 said:
Their whole entire presentation made me angry and opt to not buy anything from them this year. Zero innovation and practicality. iPhone pro is ugly as sin and no black color to hide the uglyness. The air is so thin you can't go a whole day without a battery which begs the question, why buy it then. And the watches just get 5g and a little more battery. Also not worth it.

Did anyone even really try to innovate this year Apple? Time to can Tim.
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Wow, such a difference between us. I was impressed by the presentation, shot on iPhone. And IMO the world's best smartphones just got better; always a good thing.

I will upgrade 16 PM to a 17 PM, which I do not consider to be "ugly as sin," (and I do not use a case). As to "why buy it then," obviously you should not. But literally millions of other people will, because it is a fine new product.

Tim Cook has done a great job whether you like him or not. And these are fine new phones whether you and all the folks who liked on your comment like it or not.
 
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Dashey said:
First of all, none of you have tested the battery life of the Air. It says it’s the same as the 16 pro. second, even if you got a battery pack, you would be extremely stupid to spend $100 on one in the first place. A good 10,000 mah magsafe pack costs around $40-80 on amazon. No need to get one this thin for $100.
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Not even sure a magsafe battery is necessary, just get a thin 10k mAh for $10-12 you can fast charge the phone with.

Allen_Wentz said:
Wow, such a difference between us. I was impressed by the presentation, shot on iPhone. And IMO the world's best smartphones just got better; always a good thing.
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Honesty curious why you find this presentation impressing; not talking about the products but strictly the presenting. Because nothing new, it is the same boring predictable copy, camera work, colors, people who were taught to speak by the same coach, etc. Placing the countless VPs and prod managers in  stores doesn't make it any new to what we're watching post covid for 5 long years.
 
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neuropsychguy said:
Just a suggestion that I offer with kindness: go outside, take a nice walk, and take some deep breaths, hopefully of fresh air.
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Did just that after the keynote. Doesn’t change the fact 17 lineup is abomination and makes me think I’ve have to choose team Android if my 11 Pro dies
 
Meh…

Anker Nano power bank. 5000mah, 1/3” thick, Qi2, $55. Get two for about the same price as Apple’s that doesn’t work on your non-Air iPhone…
 
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