Fake MagSafe Accessories Might Be a Bargain, But Watch Out for Shortcomings

[MacRumors]

Apple accessories like watch bands and cases are often imitated by companies who want to make a quick buck fooling customers, and the new MagSafe charging line is no exception. There are dozens of fake MagSafe and MagSafe Duo chargers out there that consumers need to watch out for.

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Over on our YouTube channel, MacRumors videographer Dan took a look at some fake MagSafe charging options that are floating around, comparing them to the real thing.

Apple's MagSafe chargers can charge an iPhone 12, 12 Pro, or 12 Pro Max at up to 15W, and the 12 mini at up to 12W. These charging speeds are limited to genuine Apple MagSafe accessories created by Apple and those that use certified MagSafe technology like Belkin. Any other charger, including the fake MagSafe Duo and fake MagSafe that we show off in the video, maxes out at right around 7.5W, so buying a fake charger might seem like a good idea to save some money, but you're not going to get MagSafe speeds.

This also goes for all of the "magnetic" charging accessories that third-party companies are introducing for the iPhone 12 lineup. These magnetic accessories are able to use the magnets in the iPhone 12 models to attach to the back of an iPhone quickly, but charging speeds on anything not officially MagSafe is limited to 7.5W so far.

There's nothing wrong with these third-party magnetic charging accessories so long as you're aware of the charging limitations, which companies don't always make clear. Magnetic accessories are basically identical to Qi-based chargers and the magnetic connection is handy, so if you don't mind slower charging speeds, you can save some money not going with MagSafe.

What you'll want to avoid is anything that's modeled directly after a MagSafe charger from Apple and anything that actively uses the MagSafe name that's not certified, as these are fake, not going to charge at the proper MagSafe speeds, and could be unsafe. Make sure to watch our video to see these fakes in action, and keep an eye out for them when making a purchase so you don't get hoodwinked with slow charging speeds.

Article Link: Fake MagSafe Accessories Might Be a Bargain, But Watch Out for Shortcomings

 

[nutmac]

Here in the US, I mainly buy Apple stuff from 3 retailers: Apple, Best Buy, and B&H. Way too many fakes at Amazon.

 

[locovaca]

Speaking of, why can nobody make a magnetic lightning connector worth a crap? Apple, this is such an unrealized market. People love Magsafe. I want the convenience of magnetic charging cables without the heat from an inductive charger.

 

[AngerDanger]

I genuinely like that little kickstand on the knockoff MagSafe charger.

 

[unsynaps]

Speaking of, why can nobody make a magnetic lightning connector worth a crap? Apple, this is such an unrealized market. People love Magsafe. I want the convenience of magnetic charging cables without the heat from an inductive charger.

Why can no one make a REAL MagSafe charger? So many products are called "MagSafe" but the actual charging tech is still Qi. Qi with a magnet is not MagSafe.

Gotta read the fine print on EVERYTHING because of this.

 

[99chickens]

Speaking of, why can nobody make a magnetic lightning connector worth a crap? Apple, this is such an unrealized market. People love Magsafe. I want the convenience of magnetic charging cables without the heat from an inductive charger.

What's a "magnetic lightning connector" ???

 

[kerr]

To me, fake MagSafe for iPhone is no different to real MagSafe

 

[aesc80]

So the difference between an iPhone and a Samsung Galaxy 7 is just counterfeit charging materials!

 

[oneMadRssn]

Why can no one make a REAL MagSafe charger? So many products are called "MagSafe" but the actual charging tech is still Qi. Qi with a magnet is not MagSafe.

Gotta read the fine print on EVERYTHING because of this.

MagSafe is a trademark belonging to Apple. Even if someone made something that is functionally identical, they would still need Apple's blessing to call it MagSafe. On the flip side, Qi is a trademark owned by the Wireless Power Consortium, which is a standard-setting organization promoting the open Qi standard that allows anyone complying with their regulations to use that trademark. My understanding is it's run similar to USB-IF, where as long as you buy an Qi-licensing controller chip, you can put the Qi logo on any product incorporating that chip.

Also, while MagSafe uses Qi technology, there is a bit more Apple-proprietary-ness baked in. There is a proprietary chip that wirelessly negotiates the link and allows the faster 15W charging to occur. This is why other Qi chargers that support 15W do not work with Apple products at 15W; without that chip, Apple products won't allow the full 15W charging.

 

[BGPL]

As long as 1/4 of them work, you'd still be saving money over the Apple product.

 

[boyreinvented]

I bought a MagSafe wallet from eBay that I knew was a fake but it looked like a good copy. It was useless and wouldn’t stay attached to my phone so I sent it straight back. Still trying to justify spending £59 on a real wallet…

 

[darkslide29]

I’m looking to buy the official MagSafe charger for my phone to get the 15w charging speed. But if I remember correctly, is a specific power adapter needed? I thought I remember an article here stating that even if a power adapter is well above the 15w, it may not be compatible, and drop down to slower speeds.

 

[Deliro]

To me, fake MagSafe for iPhone is no different to real MagSafe

In terms of what? How they look? Because there's a whole lot of difference between the two in performance I've found.

 

[Deliro]

I’m looking to buy the official MagSafe charger for my phone to get the 15w charging speed. But if I remember correctly, is a specific power adapter needed? I thought I remember an article here stating that even if a power adapter is well above the 15w, it may not be compatible, and drop down to slower speeds.

I watched videos of performance of various charging bricks and their speeds with the MagSafe. Yeah I get real bored sometimes. The consensus was the Apple 20w brick performed best. I bought it, and am very happy with the speeds especially after using a 5W for so long on my phone.

 

[elbowrm]

Make sure to watch our video to see these fakes in action, and keep an eye out for them when making a purchase so you don't get hoodwinked with slow charging speeds.

I just love to see the word "hoodwinked."

 

[ColdShadow]

The only useful Magsafe was the Macbook charger cable that Apple removed.

 

[FightTheFuture]

I’m looking to buy the official MagSafe charger for my phone to get the 15w charging speed. But if I remember correctly, is a specific power adapter needed? I thought I remember an article here stating that even if a power adapter is well above the 15w, it may not be compatible, and drop down to slower speeds.

I don’t know if any 15W adapter will work, but just stick with Apple’s $19 20W adapter. That way you know it’s supported.

 

[dzhiurgis]

IDK it looks like third party ones are better since they actually have features I want:

- Car charger - I've got same as in review - the vent clip is actually so-so as it did fall off few times, but magnets are strong and phone only fell once on pretty bad road. The only downside is it's only 7.5 watts.
- USB-C puck - the only reason I'd buy wireless charger for home is to get away from stupid Lightning cables.

tldw - it's pretty sad review made to please Apple's marketing. If Apple actually made useful Magsafe products I'd buy them. Now we have to rely on shoddy third party stuff.

 

[Jony Ive and Co.]

In Dan's video at 6:40, YOU ARE SHAKING IT WRONG, DAN ?‍♂️?‍♂️?‍♂️!!!!!!!!!!!
You are supposed to hold and shake THE MAGSAFE MOUNT to see if the iPhone falls off, NOT hold and shake the iPhone to see if the mount falls off because that's not how you would use it in a car in real life.

Anyone who hasnt watched the video must watch that 6:40 part, it's simply hilarious.

 

[lk400]

BREAKING NEWS: This just in - knock offs may be cheaper but not as good as the original. More to come…

 

[MBAir2010]

im using an Amazon charger for the macbook air, an have "teh worries" now
OWC Mac Sales is offering an affordable one, but their sales staff cant figure out who I am
my account started in 2001

 

[macsareveryinteresting]

Here in the US, I mainly buy Apple stuff from 3 retailers: Apple, Best Buy, and B&H. Way too many fakes at Amazon.

Amazon doesn’t do fakes. And if they do, you aren’t looking at actual Amazon.

 

[macsareveryinteresting]

The only useful Magsafe was the Macbook charger cable that Apple removed.

I still have it with my late 2013 MacBook Pro.

 

[macsareveryinteresting]

I don’t know if any 15W adapter will work, but just stick with Apple’s $19 20W adapter. That way you know it’s supported.

15W adapter will work.

 

[Six0Four]

One thing I will never cheap out on is electrical components. I'll only buy from well-known brand names.