iPhone 12 Has Magsafe been a wasted opportunity?

[Newton1701]

Apple Watch is also (only) magnetic induction charging, even though it’s not branded as MagSafe it’s the same functionality for charging. Just pointing out MagSafe on iPhone is just another form of wireless charging Apple has experimented with over the years.

 

[jamescharley22]

I think iPhone MagSafe needs to take an additional evolutionary step to really be something. Articles pointed out Apple Watch Series 7 contains a 60 GHz radio likely for service. If they opened this up for the system and expanded it to iPhone, I’d love a MagSafe Thunderbolt 4 (or at least a wirelessly available USB data bus). Perhaps this 60 GHz is 802.11ad and we could see 802.11ay MIMO for some Thunderbolt 5 wizardry. Until then, it’s a good magnetic wireless charging solution that lets me easily enter Standby Mode, which I’ve grown accustomed to.

 

[Paddle1]

In name AND in concept. Just a different form factor.

I wouldn't say the concept is the same. MagSafe on Mac was designed so that if you trip on the power cord it disconnects safely without causing harm to people or the computer. The name made sense. On iPhone it's just magnetic accessories.

 

[TechnoMonk]

I love mag safe connector on my MBP. I have a wireless charging stand, but don’t use it as much as fast charging with a cable.

 

[JamesMay82]

I’ve never used it because I believe it marks the back of the phones in time. Or at least I’ve seen it happen to some cases and phones at Apple Store..

 

[Cirillo Gherardo]

I wouldn't say the concept is the same. MagSafe on Mac was designed so that if you trip on the power cord it disconnects safely without causing harm to people or the computer. The name made sense. On iPhone it's just magnetic accessories.

The concept is a magnetically connected charger. On iPhone, this helps with alignment for Qi charging which is miserable without it. On Mac, is helps prevent MacBooks from being ripped off a desk. It is still the same overall concept even though it has different benefits on different form factors.

 

[russell_314]

I’d prefer a version of real MagSafe on the iPhone instead of Qi charging that’s branded MagSafe

 

[boak]

A Smart Connector-based MagSafe for iPhone would have been interesting. That might, however, compromise the water resistance rating.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Despite nicking the idea wholesale from the Palm Pre, Magsafe on the iPhone has been one of Apple's best successes of recent years. This is to the point that they open sourced it and it now forms the basis of Qi-2 charging across Android devices.

But have they gone far enough?

A key selling point for the iPhone 12 was Magsafe accessories yet beyond the wallet (which has been done better by 3rd parties) nothing has really come of it. Unless I'm travelling or commuting I, like many people prefer to leave as much at home as possible; are there further creative areas for Magsafe exploration that we have not seen?

For example a Yale key holder with snapback so you can leave them at home on a night out. A small Moleskin for jotting down ideas. A reverse Apple Watch charger. A narrower medication dispenser. A blood sugar monitor. A narrow dry-powder inhaler. Airpods. A controller with shoulder buttons and a cooling fan for extended sessions.

Magsafe isn't going anywhere and is now in Android phones. Releasing an accessory doesn't mean it only works with a narrow niche of phones.

Responding to the headline:
20th Century charging connections were very tight. Apple built MagSafe to solve the problem of pets and kids pulling laptops off laps and tables, and of charging cables constantly breaking proximal to that tight connection. IIRC Apple warranty-replaced at least two cables for me personally; no doubt many thousands worldwide.

MagSafe was a great solution and the name became well-branded. Then with new charging connections like USB-C that facilitated less pulling of laptops off laps and tables and charging cables constantly failing, Apple removed MagSafe from laptops. Customers whined so Apple brought MagSafe back to laptops.

Customers apparently like the MagSafe branding, so Apple now uses it for all kinds of things (such as Qi charging). Sure there are opportunities for Apple to use the MagSafe brand for more products, and they probably will.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

I’d prefer a version of real MagSafe on the iPhone instead of Qi charging that’s branded MagSafe

Not me. I just toss my iPhone into my Honda Ridgeline and it charges. Sweet. No way Honda would make the dash platform charge an Apple-only charging method. As it was it took years before Honda finally made magnetic charging work properly in 2024 models.

 

[TheWraith]

Despite nicking the idea wholesale from the Palm Pre

Pretty sure they ‘nicked it’ from their own MacBooks, or if you prefer, from Japanese hot water kettles.

 

[Ctrlos]

Responding to the headline:
20th Century charging connections were very tight. Apple built MagSafe to solve the problem of pets and kids pulling laptops off laps and tables, and of charging cables constantly failing. MagSafe was a great solution and the name became well-branded. Then with new charging connections like USB-C that facilitated less pulling of laptops off laps and tables and charging cables constantly failing, Apple removed MagSafe from laptops. Customers whined so Apple brought MagSafe back to laptops.

Customers apparently like the MagSafe brand, so Apple now uses it for all kinds of things (such as Qi charging). Sure there are opportunities for Apple to use the MagSafe brand for more products, and they probably will.

MagSafe on the 2006 MacBook was a great innovation that sadly wasn’t stolen enough by every other electronics manufacturer across the globe. In many ways that was a wasted opportunity. They could have used it to replace figure-8, cloverleaf and kettle leads across the world with one standard.

 

[teh_hunterer]

No in function. It was released in 2006 with the introduction of the Intel Macs. I had one.

You must be being willfully obtuse.

MagSafe on the iPhone and MagSafe on MacBooks are obviously two different things to any thinking person.

 

[john123]

I have 5 MagSafe home chargers that I got on “deals” while trying to convince myself that they were a good idea. Now I’m trying to pass them off to family where possible.

 

[Razorpit]

Not me. I just toss my iPhone into my Honda Ridgeline and it charges. Sweet. No way Honda would make the dash platform charge an Apple-only charging method. As it was it took years before Honda finally made magnetic charging work properly in 2024 models.

Consider yourself lucky. I have a '21 Ridgeline and the wireless charger is completely useless. 🙄

 

[ndouglas]

the whole point of MagSafe is just the wireless charging. Everything else is just a bonus for Apple to sell you accessories you don't need.

I don't use wireless charging at all because it's so inefficient. I'd like to but i'm happy enough to stick a USB-C cable in my phone and not waste time, energy, or money.

I see what you’re saying, but for anyone who has used it in a car — especially compared to most other options that do not stick reliably — the Apple branded phone version of Magsafe is very, very useful vs. the amount of fiddling and eyes-off-the-road that happens with most other alternatives

 

[ndouglas]

I tend to use it for mounts more often than charging, but it’s also great for compact power banks and travel chargers.

At least once a week, I’ll be cooking while I’m on the phone. I’ve got a MagSafe tripod that’ll keep my phone elevated while I’m cooking, so it’s not just lying flat on a table. I can also easily pack up that tripod and use it for nature photography if I’m hiking or something along those lines. I also have an Anker battery pack that charges the phone via MagSafe. I can stick the battery pack on the phone, then stick both in my pocket, which frees me from having to deal with connecting wires (and would theoretically keep my USB C port free for use as a USB connection, for wired headphones or storage peripherals).

Great points, would love to see a link to the tripod charger that you refer to, if you like it. It sounds useful for photography and in the kitchen too!

 

[ndouglas]

Also I love how MagSafe makes the Apple Watch into a desktop/night stand clock.

agreed, if only it would stay on though (the time display for a nice night clock)… assuming you mean the regular watch charger?

 

[Wando64]

No. Magsafe was in Macs before the palm pre existed.

You are talking if two different things that happen to have the same name.

 

[Wando64]

In name AND in concept. Just a different form factor.

Magsafe in Macs creates a physical contact, whereas MagSafe in phones works by induction.
Completely different concepts.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Consider yourself lucky. I have a '21 Ridgeline and the wireless charger is completely useless. 🙄

One of the reasons that drove me to buy the 24 BE instead of the 23 RTL-E.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

You are talking if two different things that happen to have the same name.

Of course everyone knows the tech is different, but Apple wisely built the great MagSafe brand i.d. and is using it in a textbook example of the way brands work.

 

[Paddle1]

Of course everyone knows the tech is different, but Apple wisely built the great MagSafe brand i.d. and is using it in a textbook example of the way brands work.

They have practically given the brand away. Qi2 chargers are more commonly known as MagSafe so MagSafe is now being associated with non-Apple products.

 

[Cirillo Gherardo]

Magsafe in Macs creates a physical contact, whereas MagSafe in phones works by induction.
Completely different concepts.

A minor technical difference that has nothing to do with the intended purpose, or the concept.

 

[G5isAlive]

Despite nicking the idea wholesale from the Palm Pre, Magsafe on the iPhone has been one of Apple's best successes of recent years. This is to the point that they open sourced it and it now forms the basis of Qi-2 charging across Android devices.

But have they gone far enough?

A key selling point for the iPhone 12 was Magsafe accessories yet beyond the wallet (which has been done better by 3rd parties) nothing has really come of it. Unless I'm travelling or commuting I, like many people prefer to leave as much at home as possible; are there further creative areas for Magsafe exploration that we have not seen?

For example a Yale key holder with snapback so you can leave them at home on a night out. A small Moleskin for jotting down ideas. A reverse Apple Watch charger. A narrower medication dispenser. A blood sugar monitor. A narrow dry-powder inhaler. Airpods. A controller with shoulder buttons and a cooling fan for extended sessions.

Magsafe isn't going anywhere and is now in Android phones. Releasing an accessory doesn't mean it only works with a narrow niche of phones.

Um a notepad for notes? On my phone? There’s an app for that lol

Seriously, I keep my wallet attached to my phone pretty much always except when it’s on its MagSafe charger. I can’t imagine a product that would make me want to go back to carrying a separate wallet. There is one exception, on occasion I want my iPhone on a tripod, peak design makes an insanely great one that folds up flat so it’s easy to carry or store.. It’s also expensive but worth it if you like great designs and craftsmanship. Otherwise… my wallet stays on until digital state ids become a thing.