Hands-On With Apple's iPhone 12 MagSafe Wallet Attachment

[H57]

Alongside the MagSafe cases and the MagSafe Charger that Apple introduced with the iPhone 12, there's also a Leather Wallet that has magnets at the back so it can attach right to an iPhone as an add-on accessory. Leather Wallets became available for purchase over the weekend, so we picked one up to see if it's a worthwhile alternative to a traditional wallet.

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Design wise, the $59 iPhone Leather Wallet comes in a soft European leather that's available in Baltic Blue, California Poppy (a deep yellow color with a bit of orange), Saddle Brown, and Black. It's lightweight, compact, and minimal, and it looks great on the back of an iPhone.

You can fit somewhere around two to three cards in the Leather Wallet, and it's best not to attempt to add in more because leather is known for stretching and wearing. At the back of the Leather Wallet, there's a little cutout for the thumb that's meant to make it simple to slide a card out, but it takes some time to master the gesture due to the fit of the cards inside.

A three card capacity may work for some people, but for those who have multiple credit cards plus a driver's license or ID, the Leather Wallet might not be ideal. The Leather Wallet can attach directly to an iPhone 12 or to a MagSafe case, and it displays a little animation on the iPhone's screen to let you know when it's connected.

When it comes to magnet strength, the magnet in the Leather Wallet is strong enough to adhere to the case and remain in place when shaking the iPhone vigorously, but we're skeptical that it's going to stay in place during routine daily use.

If you tap the Leather Wallet a few times, it pops right off, but the biggest issue is how it interacts with pockets. When tucking the iPhone with Leather Wallet into a pocket, care needs to be used. If you don't align it right, there's a chance the iPhone could go in the pocket while the Wallet slides right off, and the same goes for taking it out.

The magnetic connection isn't strong enough to adhere the Leather Wallet solidly to the iPhone when the force of a pocket is involved, and if you're not careful, you could have a mishap where the Wallet comes off during regular use. Your cards are going to be more secure if you're not planning to pocket your iPhone, but if you do plan to get the Leather Wallet and use it as normal, grip the wallet and the phone tightly when inserting and removing it from pockets to make sure the Wallet doesn't detach accidentally.

Those who have more than three cards that are carried regularly or those who want the freedom to use a wallet without having to be concerned about attachment issues should probably opt out of the Leather Wallet, but it has the potential to be a useful accessory for those who are careful and those who prefer a minimal look and wallet experience.

Article Link: Hands-On With Apple's iPhone 12 MagSafe Wallet Attachment

What a POS.

 

[trifid]

Only logical explanation I can find is this design is on purpose: Apple's sinister plan is for you to get fed up losing the magsafe wallet and migrate to apple pay?

This joins the proud list of wonderful designs...

 

[calstanford]

I guess during Covid times no one at Apple testing this crap in the real world? I imagine everyone sitting at home in their PJs thinking this is a good idea

 

[miamialley]

Why wouldn't you turn your iPhone around the other way? With the wallet toward your body? I still won't be getting this but just wondering.

Because you don't want the screen to face outward to get banged on something like the corner of a desk.

 

[mazz0]

Having played with the iPhone 12 Pro's magnets a bit, my strong strong sense is that MagSafe got way too much early praise. The magnet strength is too weak to be of much use.

Magnets are generally good at keeping something from moving perpendicular away from the surface of the magnet, but they are generally bad at keeping something from moving laterally across them. That's why this wallet falls off the way it does, and it's why MagSafe is no good for iPhone mounts for cars. It's probably enough for selfie-sticks and gimbals, but there's little reason in those environments to rely on something that doesn't have a super firm grip.

In a sense, the iPhone implementation is the OPPOSITE of MagSafe on the Mac, where magnets were used because their strength could be overcome by a little force. All of the iPhone implementations except for that ridiculous puck charger are for things that you want to stick and stay put reliably.

Super disappointing.

I agree with all that, but to be fair the manufacturers have control over how strong the attachment is using the magnets in the accessory. I think they could make mounts for the car that will hold up even to rough roads, if they actually bother.

 

[darkslide29]

What a bummer. I was waiting on hands-on impressions, so thank you for this. I'd definitely become annoyed with my pants pockets, as I'd be putting my phone away the same way. Thanks!

 

[glindon]

Do people really put their phone right side up in their pocket? I always put mine in top first because that’s the most natural way to put your phone in your pocket. So naturally my palm would be on the wallet and phone while I’m sticking it in my pocket. I think reviewers are seriously overplaying this. Can they at least try to demonstrate other methods of putting this wallet in their pocket? I’m not saying that this is some awesome accessory or that the magnets shouldn’t be better but damn I’ve seen several “reviews” now and not one has an original thought in their brain.

 

[topmounter]

Pretty sure you're supposed to put the phone+wallet in an iPhone Sock™ before sticking it in your pocket.

 

[ouimetnick]

I might be the only person really stoked about magsafe. I've ALWAYS had issues with charger corrosion or w/e. The ends turns weird colors, the cables fray... I hate, so much -- everything about a cable that goes into a phone to charge it. I'm in a weird niche of people that would like to be able to charge my phone in bed with a wireless charger and still use it before sleep. I like the idea of the magnets holding the charger onto the phone while I use it, circumventing the port.

My freaking gripe is with Apple changing all of the cables to USB-C and only sending the bricks out with iPads. I had to spend $160 the other day on just power bricks to get a new stock of ones that work with all the cables I have laying around now. So lame. Apple couldn't wait a year or two after switching the cables over to deprecate the old bricks?

If they had waited, then they wouldn’t have gotten the $160 from you😀

 

[Howyalikdemapls]

It doesn't really matter if Apple made the magnets stronger you'd still have the same issue if you slide it into your pocket that way. You can't change physics!

The fact it has a cutout on the back suggests Apple made it this way on purpose so it's relatively easy to remove from the back of your device so you can slide out a cards because otherwise it would be really difficult to try and get any cards out from the top of the wallet

I really don't see much of an issue with this.

Have you used neodymium magnets? Get two of those flat disk ones about the size of a quarter and try to slide them apart. They’re crazy strong. Mind you that’s without leather in between them, but even with the spacers they come with that are probably thicker than leather, they’re still super strong. Stronger magnets could definitely improve this product. Just because it’s easier to slide magnets apart than it is to pull magnets apart doesn’t mean you can’t make it more difficult to slide items apart if you use stronger magnets.

 

[darkgremio]

I like it from a minimal wallet standpoint all I need is my debit card, cc, and license.

magnet wise I find myself popping it off my phone and when I need to pay with a card. I don’t generally wear skinny jeans just regular business casual, no detachment issues, also using silicon case

 

[pdaholic]

Step 1: Find Dan
Step 2: Wait till Dan unknowingly drops his MagSafe wallet
Step 3: Acquire the Barbera fortune.

Dan is the man!

 

[IsaacM]

Apple usually puts a lot of thought into their products and their practicality.

This is so impractical that it's hard to believe it's an Apple product. Absolutely ridiculous.

 

[TheSuperE]

Best thing about this video is the dig at Apple hoping for Airtags to help find the wallet that Apple's design lost.

Already built in the wallet I’m presupposing

 

[Hemingray]

I'm just waiting for an Apple compatible clothing line because obviously the pockets are the real issue here.

 

[Dustman]

Seems like they should have marketed this more like a stand-alone wallet, that for convenience, can sometimes be attached to your phone when you need to keep both things handy. Definitely shouldn’t be marketed as a permanent iPhone accessory that answers to the often inconvenient flip wallet cases of past.

 

[MAcNIAC]

The solution is obvious ... velcro

velcro - I tell you, it’s velcro

 

[Ortiz83]

That's a design failure. When did they come up with this? 2 hours before the keynote?

I think I am going for a walk outside the Apple Store hoping for some lost wallets with folded $100 bills instead of a card

This was intentional. So you can buy an apple Tag to locate it. Apple wins regardless.

 

[Amorie]

Hmm. Might want to blur out those credit card numbers in the video.

The one I could see clearly expired years ago.

 

[IQ Air Visual Pro]

actually, thanx. and thanx to the 2 months plus delay in the delivery in Rome Italy I haven't this tricky wallet in my pocket. and now, c'mon....nope. funny that a mag 'not so safe' pocket wallet is been designed so poorly. I own you one.

 

[howywood]

I can only dream of a future where all businesses support Apple Pay and where you can have an ID on your phone and avoid carrying any wallets all together. Maybe someday.

I just had an orgasm from this thought.

 

[revenantananias]

logo plastered on? wrong verb, I am afraid. it is stamped on. rest is definitely insightful.

 

[dangeruss13]

You know, I never really understood the concept of combining your phone and wallet. Lose your phone, ya lost your wallet too. Where as now, if they're separate, you lose your phone, you can still take a cab, buy food, buy a new phone (gasp). Lose your wallet and you can still call your bank to issue you a new card, pay via Apple Pay, order groceries and pay with attached CC online...

This idea is neat, but not ideal for sure.

 

[ian87w]

Obviously this isn't a major product, but could this be the worst idea for a product Apple has had in decades? I would never put my cards in this thing.

I still think the iPhone 5C "hon" cases took that cake.

 

[sully54]

seriously who puts their phone in their pocket like shown in the video? Like, honest question, seems like its a more difficult way than it should be. I slide my phone in my pocket with one hand holding my entire phone (not just the top). I mean, I still won't be buying the wallet case since I think the idea of wallet cases in general (even before MagSafe) is useless. Just thought I'd point out how blatantly contrived the guy in the video was putting this phone in his pocket.