iPhone Air Limited to 20W MagSafe Charging

[MacRumors]

The iPhone Air can charge with MagSafe at up to 20W, according to Apple's technical specifications page for the new device.

20W is 5W slower than the 25W that the other iPhone 17 models (and iPhone 16 models) can charge at using one of Apple's updated MagSafe adapters. It is also limited to 20W Qi2 speeds instead of the 25W enabled by Qi2.2.

To fast charge wirelessly, the iPhone Air needs a MagSafe charger paired with a 30W adapter or higher, but for charging over USB-C, 20W is sufficient for fast charge. Fast charging provides a 50 percent charge in a 30 minute period.

With the MagSafe Battery that Apple designed for the iPhone Air, wireless charging is limited to 12W unless the MagSafe Battery is plugged in and providing passthrough charging capabilities.

The iPhone Air has the smallest battery of the iPhone 17 lineup, which could explain why it is not able to charge at the same speed. It uses high density battery technology, and that may also be a factor.

Article Link: iPhone Air Limited to 20W MagSafe Charging

 

[Artemiz]

You charge it at the full 30W wirelessly and it’s gonna explode like a Samsung Galaxy

 

[germanbeer007]

nobody needs fast charging when MagSafe batteries are a thing.

 

[BeatCrazy]

And somehow the 16 Pro went from 25W to 22W with a 30W charger.

 

[svish]

Good to know. But don't think it will make a huge difference. Heat build up will quickly reduce the charging speeds. Faster charging will probably be limited for the first few minutes before it slows down.

 

[Paddle1]

Seems to have slower wired charging than the regular 17 as well.

 

[macduke]

They're really pushing this thing to the edge, but I think they're mainly doing it this thin so they can ramp things up for the iPhone Fold next year. Scale production of really thin components and such and work out any engineering issues now with the beta testers buying this thing.

 

[ivan86]

Limited to USB 2.0.

Courage.

 

[Klpp0]

I think the Air will flop. Lets see

 

[hyspace]

The absence of a DisplayPort is more concerning. These days, many AR glasses, external displays, and head-worn screens require video output.

 

[dannyyankou]

The same way thinner Qi2 power banks get hotter and charge more slowly compared to thicker power banks, the 17 Air will get hotter too. It’s annoying, but I get it.

 

[contacos]

nobody needs fast charging when MagSafe batteries are a thing.

I personally stopped using my previous MagSafe batteries cuz it took like a year to charge my phone while getting super hot

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

Seems to have slower wired charging than the regular 17 as well.

Heat yeah.

 

[germanbeer007]

I personally stopped using my previous MagSafe batteries cuz it took like a year to charge my phone while getting super hot

don't need to worry about charge time. you just slap it on and instantly have 50% more battery.

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

They're really pushing this thing to the edge, but I think they're mainly doing it this thin so they can ramp things up for the iPhone Fold next year. Scale production of really thin components and such and work out any engineering issues now with the beta testers buying this thing.

That's a reason I've seen given on social media but they've been making devices for decades and the Fold would be more expensive and more niche, so the scaling would work the other way around, Fold first, Air afterward. The more logical explanation is they wanted to get the design of the Fold right and were either waiting for the tech to catch up or a hinge design they had full confidence in.

While I could see Apple doing a folding screen, and they likely will go that route, from a product engineering perspective I would prefer they went with two screens inside with folded display edges where the two screens butt up together when the device is in the fully locked-open hinge position, to form "one" display. It's a clean line and would stay that way over time, rather than the worsening fold-crease chosen mostly because that's what the other phone makers did.

 

[grammatica]

So, iPhone Air really just sucks huh