iPhone 13 Mini Still Limited to Maximum 12W of Peak Power via MagSafe Charger

[MacRumors]

While Apple's standard MagSafe Charger can typically support up to 15 watts of peak power delivery to iPhone models when used with an appropriate power adapter, last year's iPhone 12 mini was limited to a lower 12-watt peak, perhaps due to thermal constraints with the smaller device.

As highlighted in an update to Apple's support document on the MagSafe Charger today, that restriction remains in place for this year's iPhone 13 mini, similarly subjecting it to the lower 12-watt limit. Given the nearly identical body size between the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini, it's not particularly surprising that the limit applies to both devices, but to our knowledge this is the first time Apple has confirmed it.

An iPhone connected to MagSafe intelligently manages its power draw to prevent overheating, and thus even a fully supported model capable of charging at 15 watts may see much of its charging time spent below that threshold in an effort to protect battery health.

The smaller battery of the mini-sized iPhone models also means that they require less energy to recharge than larger models, so an iPhone 12 mini or iPhone 13 mini capped at a peak of 12 watts may not take any longer to charge to full via MagSafe than an iPhone 13 with a 15-watt limit. Still, users should be aware that this restriction persists with this year's mini iPhone.

This isn't the only MagSafe-related topic making the rounds today, as it's been discovered that the iPhone 13 Pro with Apple's standard case on it doesn't sit quite properly on the MagSafe Duo Charger due to the size and height of the lip that protects the rear cameras. Despite the fit issue, the phone seems to make a proper connection and charge normally.

Article Link: iPhone 13 Mini Still Limited to Maximum 12W of Peak Power via MagSafe Charger

 

[cmaier]

Ah, now comes the stream of people complaining about 3W.

It’s actually pretty remarkable how many care about a watt here and there, actually.

 

[usagora]

Ah, now comes the stream of people complaining about 3W.

It’s actually pretty remarkable how many care about a watt here and there, actually.

You think a watt is bad? My battery health just dropped from 100% to 99%. Is my phone trash now? omg I'm not going to be able to sleep tonight. This is SO much worse than not being able to charge my phone 5 minutes faster.

EDIT: LOL @ the thumbs-down reaction. Always that one person who doesn't recognize obvious sarcasm.

 

[now i see it]

I don’t think anyone who uses wireless charging is in a rush. And anyway, as stated in the article, the mini uses a smaller battery so of course it’s going to charge at a lower current

 

[5105973]

Donut care. It’s little and the 12 charges plenty fast to suit me.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

It still charges pretty fast.

 

[cmaier]

It still charges pretty fast.

Fast compared to what? Even at 15W it would be charging pretty slowly.

 

[mistasopz]

I've been following the upcoming release of the Pixel 6, and it's rumored to have 23 Watt wireless charging. I wonder if Apple will follow suit next generation.

 

[cmaier]

I've been following the upcoming release of the Pixel 6, and it's rumored to have 23 Watt wireless charging. I wonder if Apple will follow suit next generation.

Probably not.

 

[vojta3476]

Fast compared to what? Even at 15W it would be charging pretty slowly.

All my phones ever have charged fast compared to the 6-8 hours I sleep at night. That's all I care about.

 

[cmaier]

All my phones ever have charged fast compared to the 6-8 hours I sleep at night. That's all I care about.

Sure, but nobody would say taking 6 hours to charge a phone is fast.

 

[steve09090]

I can't see the point of a "watt" race. Who actually cares if another phone is faster at charging? Unless we go back to a 5 day+ of the old Nokia/Motorola days, a day charge is a day charge. If someone is that worried about it, they’d have a wired charger anyway.

 

[usagora]

Fast compared to what? Even at 15W it would be charging pretty slowly.

I can't imagine needing to charge any faster than what I'm experiencing with MagSafe. It's definitely not slow. Or maybe I'm just more patient than others, so it's a perceptual thing? In any case, I've never once had the thought "Gee, I wish MagSafe charged my phone faster." Everyone's always going on about how wired charging is faster, but I honestly see no appreciable difference in real life. Not saying there isn't one - just that it's not night or day or anything like that.

 

[DeepIn2U]

I don’t think anyone who uses wireless charging is in a rush. And anyway, as stated in the article, the mini uses a smaller battery so of course it’s going to charge at a lower current

bruh bruh, not in a rush?!

you talking crazy … check other forums about how Android has this 30/40-/50/100w wireless Qi charging speedz. It’s like those complaining about 120hz until iPhone 13 Pro yet al they do is shout how fast they are finger banging the smartphone screen to show you the difference, less on gaming response with specific games as examples or scroll senselessly.

since when did finger banging on a screen became a thing? Oh yeah since MKBHD. Lol.

 

[DeepIn2U]

I can't imagine needing to charge any faster than what I'm experiencing with MagSafe. It's definitely not slow. Or maybe I'm just more patient than others, so it's a perceptual thing? In any case, I've never once had the thought "Gee, I wish MagSafe charged my phone faster." Everyone's always going on about how wired charging is faster, but I honestly see no appreciable difference in real life. Not saying there isn't one - just that it's not night or day or anything like that.

personally a faster wireless charging would be nice when:

Apple implements a vapour chamber to keep the device and battery cool from over-heating which leads to poor battery life and capacity longevity. Until then 12w is fine by me.

looking at my 8mths old iPhone 12 mini that I mostly charged over MagSafe and my battery health drop, I’ll be much smarter using Lightning on the 13 mini going forward.

 

[hot-gril]

All my phones ever have charged fast compared to the 6-8 hours I sleep at night. That's all I care about.

Yes, and I intentionally charged my phone from a low-watt source to preserve the battery life. No need to shove energy into it. Charging from an older Mac's USB 2.0 port, it's 2.5W I believe, maybe 5.

 

[4jasontv]

All my phones ever have charged fast compared to the 6-8 hours I sleep at night. That's all I care about.

Six hours a night?!

 

[Djentleman]

Yes, and I intentionally charge my phone from a low-watt source to preserve the battery life. No need to shove energy into it. Charging from an older Mac's USB 2.0 port, it's 2.5W I believe, maybe 5.

Yeah, that’s a misconception Apple sold to defend low-watt chargers.
Have you not considered why they’ve finally climbed on board the high powered trend now?

Linus did a great experiment to see if low watt chargers were better for you battery in the long run, and yes, while they give off less heat, they require 4 times as long to charge than a higher watt charger would need, meaning you’re heating your battery for way longer than necessary.

Also, isn’t the point of a mobile device supposed to be that it’s wireless? What good is it being plugged in several hours a day?

I’ve been charging my phone using a 35 watt since it could take in that amount of energy, and I’ve noticed my batter hasn’t aged any worse than my older iPhones that were stuck to the 5 watt chargers for way longer.

 

[ikir]

Still charge quite fast with MagSafe. No real life complains, love it

 

[ian87w]

I can't see the point of a "watt" race. Who actually cares if another phone is faster at charging? Unless we go back to a 5 day+ of the old Nokia/Motorola days, a day charge is a day charge. If someone is that worried about it, they’d have a wired charger anyway.

Yes, up to a certain point, the heat produced may be more harmful. Plus, most of those high wattage chargers only fast charge when the battery is low. Most will slow down the charge when you reach more than 75%.

But I can see the draw of fast charging. It changes the way you use the phone. Instead of topping off at night (which is also bad for the battery), you can just charge your phone whenever, here and there whenever you have the chance, throughout the day. Fast charging will allow you to gain decent amount of charge on these short bursts. Even better for the battery if it never actually reaches 100%.

 

[simX]

As with the iPhone 12 mini, this limitation probably has nothing whatsoever to do with wireless charging. The iPhone 12 mini is limited to 12W charging even with *wired* chargers, and I suspect that continues to be the case with the iPhone 13 mini.

Here's my analysis: http://simx.me/technonova/tips/even_with_wired_chargers_the_iphone_12_.html

 

[cyanite]

Yeah, that’s a misconception Apple sold to defend low-watt chargers.

When did Apple sell that?

 

[Berti10]

I find it more remarkable, that apple recommends the Magsafe Duo to people like me, with an iPhone 8 Plus. But it is useless because apple limits the charging to 1-3W with an 30W Brick. A whole night is not enough time to charge the phone. But no one cares.

 

[mariusignorello]

I can't imagine needing to charge any faster than what I'm experiencing with MagSafe. It's definitely not slow. Or maybe I'm just more patient than others, so it's a perceptual thing? In any case, I've never once had the thought "Gee, I wish MagSafe charged my phone faster." Everyone's always going on about how wired charging is faster, but I honestly see no appreciable difference in real life. Not saying there isn't one - just that it's not night or day or anything like that.

If you are in a hurry to charge it then wired charging is what you want. MagSafe is perfect for charging while doing work or sleeping. If you are going out and need your phone charged pretty full and fast, go with fast charging and one of the Mac chargers. I have an Anker USB C car charger and that thing is insanely fast.

 

[contacos]

I need to charge my 12 PM twice a day and I do not like leaving the house with anything less but 80 % so a 20 W wireless charging mat would be great ... I do not have hours to charge my phone during the day