Hands-On With Apple's New MagSafe Duo Charger for iPhone 12 and Apple Watch

[rhyme2]

I received my MagSafe Duo about a week ago and I'm really happy with it. I bought it in part because the third-party wireless charger that I had been using with my previous phone (an iPhone X) does not work at all with my new iPhone 12 Pro. It worked with the iPhone X, but was sensitive to exact placement of the phone on the charger.

The MagSafe Duo works well and quickly, feels and looks nice and seems less likely than my other chargers to be damaged during my frequent travel. To my happy surprise, it takes only one hand to pick up the phone from the charger without disturbing the watch, and I did not need to think about it even the first time I picked it up. You can break the magnetic connection either by wrapping your fingers around the phone as you lift it or sliding it sideways before you lift it.

 

[Devin Breeding]

Key word “basically”.

Obviously it can’t be identical or we would be looking at a lawsuit. My point is, even at $30 with R&D, companies profit.

It just seems very old school apple to charge that much for something that has 3rd party alternatives for fractions. Puts a bad taste in people’s mouths. Like the wheels they charge several hundred dollars for.

People agreeing to pay for such devices is what validates their poor decisions as a company.

 

[artfossil]

People agreeing to pay for such devices is what validates their poor decisions as a company.

Oh my. My “3rd party alternative” to the MagSafe Duo (by Belkin) cost me $140 and now doesn’t work with the iPhone 12 Pro Max. My being eager to pay for the MagSafe Duo (a superior solution) validates Apple’s decision to release this product.

Don’t want it? Don’t buy it. But don’t arrogantly assume that the product doesn’t fulfill a need for others.

 

[Devin Breeding]

Oh my. My “3rd party alternative” to the MagSafe Duo (by Belkin) cost me $140 and now doesn’t work with the iPhone 12 Pro Max. My being eager to pay for the MagSafe Duo (a superior solution) validates Apple’s decision to release this product.

Don’t want it? Don’t buy it. But don’t arrogantly assume that the product doesn’t fulfill a need for others.

I’m sure like most Apple products it works and works well. The price is awful. Probably cost $5 to make.

 

[spezaled]

I sold my nomad wireless base charger
For $60 which covers almost 1/2 the cost of the Apple charger. Worth it to me knowing I’ll never need to worry about compatibility issues with my iPhone and Apple Watch.

That’s good that you got a healthy amount for it. I also have the base station, with Apple Watch charger next to my bed. It’s working great with my Apple Watch and iPhone 12 Pro...what I mentioned in my post was the Nomad Pod Pro, which is their travel charger for the iPhone and Apple Watch. Look it up. It’s actually amazing.

 

[mikemj23]

I picked up a MagSafe Duo last week and it works very well for my use case which is on my night stand to charge my phone and watch while I sleep. I also appreciate the compact nature of it for travel. Is it expensive? yes, but that's a very subjective term and I respect others choice to complain about it being over priced as much as people buying it. I've used various 3rd party wireless chargers (including the Nomad Base Station Apple Watch Edition) and as others have mentioned, have found them somewhat finicky with having to get the iPhone, airpods etc in the right spot to charge. I don't have this issue with the MagSafe Duo. Plus, the Nomad Base Station Apple Watch Edition cost $150, is nowhere near as compact and I could never get my AW, iPhone and Airpods to always charge together.

For those on the fence - I really like it and think it's a winner. If you think it's too expensive then don't buy it and go for a 3rd Party solution. All good either way.

 

[Protozo]

I have the magsafe duo and when I touch the metal part (the ring) in the iphone area, I feel tickling / electricity.
This is normal?

 

[MacGiver]

Sorry if it has been already asked but what happens if you are using the 5w brick. Will it charge over night both my iPhone 12PM and my Apple Watch? I have at home the 18w and 20w bricks. But when travelling I only brings the smaller 5w brick. Thanks.

 

[Htsi]

Sorry it has been asked already but what happens if you are using the 5w brick. Will it charge over night both my iPhone 12PM and my Apple Watch? I have at home the 18w and 20w bricks. But when travelling I only brings the smaller 5w brick. Thanks.

12w brick only charges watch and not phone for me

 

[MacGiver]

12w brick only charges watch and not phone for me

So does it mean I won’t be able to charge anything with the 5w power brick?

 

[7thson]

So does it mean I won’t be able to charge anything with the 5w power brick?

Apple specs say to use a usb c adapter, so you should just use the 20 watt that you have. The 18 watt will work but you won’t get as much wattage to the iPhone. If size of the adapter is a concern for travel, Anker makes a 20 watt usb c adapter that’s the same size as the Apple 5 watt. It’s called the Nano. Also here’s Apples supporting documents:

How to use your MagSafe Charger with iPhone - Apple Support

iPhone 16, iPhone 15, iPhone 14, iPhone 13, or iPhone 12 models can charge with MagSafe Charger.

support.apple.com

 

[MacGiver]

Apple specs say to use a usb c adapter, so you should just use the 20 watt that you have. The 18 watt will work but you won’t get as much wattage to the iPhone. If size of the adapter is a concern for travel, Anker makes a 20 watt usb c adapter that’s the same size as the Apple 5 watt. It’s called the Nano. Also here’s Apples supporting documents:

How to use your MagSafe Charger with iPhone - Apple Support

iPhone 16, iPhone 15, iPhone 14, iPhone 13, or iPhone 12 models can charge with MagSafe Charger.

support.apple.com

Thank you.

 

[7thson]

Thank you.

Nae problemo