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MagSafe is the worst thing Apple has made maybe ever
- Thread starter LongWayHome
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Yeah, understood. And I do get that there are people who might like it. Apple does say in their support document for MacSafe that do to the heat generated it can leave an indentation in the leather. They even show a picture of it in their leather case section now for each color. Just somehting to be aware of if that matters to you.
This is what they show on their website now:
Yep they do list the possibility of marks. For me, I don't really care. That said, I found some bright lights and took a photo from 2 different angles of my launch-day proMax in leather case. I use magsafe to charge every night. It is very hard to see, but I think I managed to capture (using my iPad camera) the extent of the "imprint" I'm experiencing on my leather case. Under certain lighting conditions it is visible for sure, but doesn't bother me one iota.
Closer view below:
Well a major problem is that apple doesnt include the damn charging brick thats totally necessary to use it. Its not in the magsafe box, not in the iphone box. The only way you would have one is if you bought an ipad in the last couple of years that comes with a USB-C brick.
So they come out with a new way of charging that you have to spend about $70-80 to utilize in some cases. They upped the phone price, upped the case price, took out the brick. It's like no matter what they want you to invest $1000 in an iphone no matter what.
OH what am I saying....this was all to help the environment. LULLLLLZZZ
A magsafe "cable" like the old Macbook would be cool, and there are 3rd parties that make such a thing if you want it. That would not work for me as one of my favorite uses of the magsafe is in-car where it instantly mounts and charges my phone. While it isn't a huge improvement, or a "big deal," I also don't understand the massive amount of butt-hurt this is causing either.
This is an optional feature you don't need to use if you don't want to. Again, not sure I understand the butt-hurt over magsafe.
As for the bricks... personally I already have plenty of USB-C chargers around the house. USB-C PD has been the defacto charging standard for pretty much all new electronics for the past 5 years or so? Even if I didn't my old usb-a lightning cables and chargers would continue to work as they always have. But we digress.
I have the ohsnap wireless charger and iPhone 12 max. The charger is held down on my glass top night stand using some blue tacky stuff. The phone securely sits on the charger due to the ohsnap part on my phone. I know my phone is definitely charging and works much nicer than MagSafe.
I just don't get MagSafe. It's a cable that attaches to the back of your phone instead of the bottom. Charges much slower. Kind of stupid.
I just don't get MagSafe. It's a cable that attaches to the back of your phone instead of the bottom. Charges much slower. Kind of stupid.
It helps so you can use the device while still being wireless while at night it aligns your phone so it can’t be moved during the night
It’s basically a better version of Qi wireless charging
The ohsnap charger looks cool! I would have totally gotten that setup for my older phones. I don't understand though how is this functionally different than magsafe? If you tape down your ohsnap charger to keep it stationary, couldn't you do the exact same thing with a magsafe puck?
What is the difference here? I'm just not seeing it.
Well, sort of. The cable is so short your outlet better be right by your bed if you want to use it while its charging.
Its more like a different, slower version of the lightning port. There is nothing wireless about it when you are holding a device with a wire hanging down off of your phone. With regular Qi wireless charging you can at least say that there isn't a wire connected to your phone. MagSafe not so much.
But it is still wireless as even when it’s lying flat there is still a cable there...
When you pick your phone up normally it will stop charging least this will stop that from happening as it carries on charging but I don’t know why people need to use the phone that badly anyway when it’s on charge
The benefit of MagSafe at night is no issues trying to find the port in the dark you just put it on magsafe and will stay charging with no issues all night...you know it’s aligned
Clearly it’s not for everybody but it’s the future of apple charging so if people want the up to date devices it’s going to be the most common way of charging your phone certainly in a portless future
Luckily for the past 100 years or so, they've made extension cords. My outlets aren't close enough to my nightstand for even my night-stand-lamp. So I've solved this issue by taping something like the bellow to the back of my nightstand with dual-sided tape.
I agree magsafe should have been made with a removeable cord, or at least a 2m cord. But even then many people would need an extension to reach where they want it.
Its charging without being physically plugged into the port but there is literally a wire in your way while holding the phone. I'm not sure how any device that requires a wire to be hanging from your phone can ever be classified as wireless.
I think the "I struggle to find the lightning port in the dark" is one of the most ridiculous justifications for this device I've ever heard. Its a reversible cable that sticks into the bottom of your phone. Its not possible to not find the port. If you are holding the phone, you know where it is. You can literally do it blindfolded.
Yes I agree its most likely going to be the way going forward, I just hope it improves because right now its a very poorly designed way to charge devices.
I don't understand why you are so hung up on the idea of a cable being connected to a wireless charging pad. Aren't they all (QI chargers) like this? Sure the defacto name "wireless charging" is a bit misleading, but the presence of a cord is not unique to apple's magsafe. Apple certainly didn't coin the phrase "wireless" charging as it has been used for inductive charging since at least 2009.
There have been various magnetized 3rd party and even OEM versions of QI charging around for a decade... why is magsafe so problematic all of a sudden?
Palm had this ages ago (2009): https://www.wired.com/2009/04/palm-slips-new/
yet it elicited none of the rage that magsafe seems to.
Google's Nexus 5 has the same concept (2013): https://www.theverge.com/2013/10/31...wireless-charging-pad-for-nexus-5-and-nexus-7
As for finding the port in the dark...clearly you don't drink as much bourbon as I do.
Oh Apple.... Can anybody explain why the MagSafe/lightning cables included with iPhone are so short yet the Apple Watch charging cable is excessively long? It just seems so backward to me. The whole point is being able to use your phone while charging, right? Do people need to use their watch when it's charging?
I don't understand why you are so hung up on the idea of a cable being connected to a wireless charging pad. Aren't they all (QI chargers) like this? Sure the defacto name "wireless charging" is a bit misleading, but the presence of a cord is not unique to apple's magsafe. Apple certainly didn't coin the phrase "wireless" charging as it has been used for inductive charging since at least 2009.
There have been various magnetized 3rd party and even OEM versions of QI charging around for a decade... why is magsafe so problematic all of a sudden?
Palm had this ages ago (2009): https://www.wired.com/2009/04/palm-slips-new/
yet it elicited none of the rage that magsafe seems to.
Google's Nexus 5 has the same concept (2013): https://www.theverge.com/2013/10/31...wireless-charging-pad-for-nexus-5-and-nexus-7
As for finding the port in the dark...clearly you don't drink as much bourbon as I do.
I think the point is that MagSafe attaches itself and needs to be physically removed from the iPhone, so it’s effectively just the same as a normal plug-in ‘wired’ charger. I kind of agree and see where they are coming from, although I see it as more of a sort of hybrid, but it’s more like a ‘wired’ charger than a ‘wireless’ charger. Personally, for normal everyday charging, I find it incredibly annoying and pointless, and prefer one or the other. But that’s just my opinion. Don’t know why people are getting wound up over such a trivial mater.
I get that some people don't like the "stickyness" of the magsafe puck design. But that can be easily remedied with either a piece of tape or a base like the spigen magfit. The benefit of the design is it allows for both types of preferences.
If ya want the puck to stay put...secure it. If you don't want it to stay put, don't do anything.
I'm not hung up on it, but when someone ways "I like MagSafe because I can use my phone while its wirelessly charging" I find that ridiculous. There is literally a cord hanging down from your phone that is going to keep you in one specific place while you use it. At least with regular Qi charging that phrase makes a little more sense as there is no physical cable attached to the phone. There is absolutely no difference in using a lightning cable while you use the phone and using MagSafe Cable while you use it. Except for the fact that MagSafe is less comfortable becuase the wire is coming half way down the phone as opposed to a lightning connector that only comes out at the bottom of the phone.I don't understand why you are so hung up on the idea of a cable being connected to a wireless charging pad. Aren't they all (QI chargers) like this? Sure the defacto name "wireless charging" is a bit misleading, but the presence of a cord is not unique to apple's magsafe. Apple certainly didn't coin the phrase "wireless" charging as it has been used for inductive charging since at least 2009.
There have been various magnetized 3rd party and even OEM versions of QI charging around for a decade... why is magsafe so problematic all of a sudden?
Palm had this ages ago (2009): https://www.wired.com/2009/04/palm-slips-new/
yet it elicited none of the rage that magsafe seems to.
Google's Nexus 5 has the same concept (2013): https://www.theverge.com/2013/10/31...wireless-charging-pad-for-nexus-5-and-nexus-7
As for finding the port in the dark...clearly you don't drink as much bourbon as I do.
I think you guys need to realise there is no right answer as to whether MagSafe is great or not because it is personal preference really. I don’t get too excited over wireless chargers as they were just a means to an end at the close of each day for me. I drop my iPhone on it and pick it up again in the morning. That’s about as exciting as it gets for me. MagSafe is just a more expensive version of what I already have. For those that love that though , i’ll just give you a big thumbs up 
. Enjoy.
. Enjoy.The phrase would make even LESS sense frankly with regular QI chargers as the phone stops charging as soon as you lift it off the charger.
I get that you don't feel that magsafe is convenient for you, but is fundamentally the same thing as QI charging with added flexibility of additional uses. I feel like it gives all the same "convenience" that would cause anyone to like "wireless" chargers, with the added benefit you can pick it up for a sec (if thats how you operate it) to check a quick email etc. I don't think anyone is spending hours with the device charging on magsafe (or lightning for that matter) while using it... of course that is an uncomfortable usecase no matter what mechanism you use.
With my old QI chargers, I stopped using them because every time I picked up my phone for a sec at night, I had to go through the perfect alignment dance again when putting the phone back...which was annoying. With my magsafe puck affixed to my nightstand, I am sure every time of perfect alignment without having to look at my phone... and completely one-handed. This makes it easier for me than traditional QI or lightning cables.
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But it’s not ridiculous I find nothing worse than needing to switch a light on to find the port. It’s annoying when I plug in my iPad most nights needing to do it..MagSafe solves that issue.
You can’t do it blindfolded at all if anything you are scratching the port each time you aren’t connecting it correctly
It gets people in the habit when the port does get removed
I get what you are saying, but its the exact same thing as leaving it connected to the lightning port and picking it up at night to look at it. I'm not sure how its easier as once a lightning port is connected, its connected for the rest of the night. If it was so inconvenient for you to use the Qi charger in the first place then why were you even using it? You could have just plugged the phone into lightning and all of your problems would of missing the Qi charger at night would be solved.
That's really my main issue with Magsafe. It doesn't really solve any problem except this all of a sudden MASSIVE problem that no one ever mentioned before of going through hell each night to properly align their phone on their Qi chargers. I have a wireless charging dock on my nightstand and there isn't a way to miss it. You put it in the dock and it charges the phone. I get some people might have the flat charging bases, but if they were an issue then why did you ever use them?
I also have an issue with the name, as its very poor attempt to cash in on the name of the beloved charging method of Apple MacBooks. There is nothing "safe" about his method of charging because if you trip over the magsafe cable, the phone is going with it. Not sure what's "safe" about this method of charging that Apple has given us. If they wouid have given us a magnetic port that the phone attaches to then it would be MagSafe. This is just Apple having a name available and choosing it because they know there is a huge population of buyers who will recognize that name.
With that being said, I'm not an Apple hater, I'm quite the opposite. I even purchased the ridiculously priced AirPods Max they released today and own too many Apple products to count. But I will criticize them where I see fit as I give a ton of money to them and in this instance I think its justified. They make great products, but they also release complete duds every once in a while and in my opinion this is a major dud.
When it is working properly, QI is arguably more convenient than wired charging in some situations. For example.. cars with a QI charging tray... plop the phone in and bingo. No cord to mess with. At night as many have mentioned here, it is nice to plop the phone down and not have to find your cord or find the hole to plug it in. Is it critical or life-changing? No! But it is a "nice to have."
The problem of proper QI alignment has always been around, and quite prominent with QI since the very beginning. If you've never heard about it, you haven't been paying attention or just haven't used the right google search terms.
As I showed earlier (up thread), other phone manufacturers Palm & Google have used magnets in the past to solve the issue. More recently expensive chargers have started including more and more coils 5 and up. The Nomad BasestationPro has even more (18 coils!) to solve the issue of not having to find the "sweet spot" to charge.
People are paying $189 for the Nomad base station pro that advertises:
Base Station Pro | NOMAD®
Base Station Pro, with FreePower™ technology, enables a truly positionless charging experience. A matrix of 18 coils allows you to simultaneously charge up to 3 devices anywhere. With its modern design, padded leather surface, and slim profile, Base Station Pro is built to enhance any workspace...
nomadgoods.com
Base Station Pro | NOMAD®
Base Station Pro, with FreePower™ technology, enables a truly positionless charging experience. A matrix of 18 coils allows you to simultaneously charge up to 3 devices anywhere. With its modern design, padded leather surface, and slim profile, Base Station Pro is built to enhance any workspace...
nomadgoods.com
Other solutions have existed in the past for the same issue:
New Wireless Charging Platforms Bypass the Conundrum of Perfectly-Aligned Coils - News
Apple ultimately canceled its wireless power program because of coil alignment. Three new platforms aim to work around the problem that slowed the tech giant down.
Xiaomi made a pad that auto-aligns: https://www.androidauthority.com/xiaomi-20w-smart-wireless-charger-review-1156157/
Hell my Google Pixel 4xl and Pixel stand would warn me of improper alignment (it was very finicky) and they even put this warning on the screen with other chargers:
Pixel 4 will warn you if your phone isn't properly aligned on the charging pad
Wireless charging pads are still flawed, but this change should help somewhat.
People have often reported their phones "slipping off" their wireless chargers:
Sometimes wireless chargers don't fit well or alignment is an issue (in cars for example)
https://**********/blogs/bezalel-bl...o-many-issues-with-in-car-wireless-charging-1
People often have issues finding the phone & charger's "sweet spot":
When I began my search, wireless chargers had single-coil designs that necessitated surgical placement. Put your phone down a half-inch off to one side, or bump the nightstand while climbing into bed, and you’ll wake up to a dead battery.
My Doomed Search for a Bedside Wireless Phone Charger
My wife and I have spent years testing out dozens of models on our nightstands. We’re still hunting.www.wired.com
Thankfully, placement has become more forgiving as charging technology has improved and multi-coil designs have rolled out. But straying too far from the sweet spot or having a case on your phone can cause wireless chargers to generate a lot of heat, and heat is the enemy of a healthy battery. To combat this, many manufacturers include fans that make a tiny whirring sound.
As you can see by my quickly Googled examples. Alignment has been an issue for many people with QI since the beginning. Just because you weren't aware of it, doesn't mean it wasn't a complaint folks often have.
Now for your final question: Why did I use them?
- I've tried to wireless charging on and off for years with some phone/charger combos it worked fine, others not so much. Especially when working at my desk it is nice to keep the phone charged, without having to unplug it and re-plug it every time I get up for coffee. Plop the phone on my stand and bingo it is charging. At my desk I have a Yootech stand that worked great with my Pixel 4XL and now also with my iPhone 12.
- In my car for example, I found wireless charges often weren't fast enough to keep up with my usage. Also alot of the "mounting" mechanisms were cumbersome. Magsafe solves that for me.
- At the bedside, I wanted some of the advantages of the Pixel stand (it turned my pixel into a poor man's nest hub)... but turned out to be finicky if I used a TPU case. I'd have to re-align it several times otherwise I'd get the dreaded orange light: Literally hundreds of posts about this on reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/search?q=pixel stand orange light&restrict_sr=1
Other times I'd get the stupid "realign your phone for wireless charging" even though it was dead center on a stand specifically designed for the phone. - I had a few puck style chargers (mostly ones I got as gifts at trade-shows... one I got from United Airlines for being a frequent flyer). These are the most problematic as I needed to carefully align the phone, which ended up being more hassle than just plugging in a cable defeating the purpose. I once nearly missed a flight because overnight I must have bumped the phone off-center with my pillow.
- Some chargers I tried would be more generous with the alignment (as in they would charge) but they'd get wicked hot. This was also a common issue for people if you google it. This is actually the whole reason they put fans into many chargers. It isn't only due to the inherent heat of wireless charging, but because improper alignment generates even more heat.
The way I see it, magsafe is just QI charging with many problems experienced by myself and others solved by the simple addition of magnets... which is why I'm confused by the amount of hate is getting...especially from folks who USE Qi chargers. I get folks who don't like QI charging at all because of the speed, inefficiency, etc.
As for the name magsafe... I agree it is stupid. MagQI would have been better. Or "Qi that sucks less."
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