MagSafe is the worst thing Apple has made maybe ever

[Wando64]

Ok, listen, you may not like what I am going to say right now, but please keep with me:

The line about the "EU deciding that all ports should be USB-C and Apple is trying to resist YADA YADA" is complete MISINFORMATION by all these so called YouTubers. They don't even have the nerve to check or read about the topic they are talking about, which then leads to even MORE misinformation.

The EU has a decided on a joint resolution about a standardized CHARGING BRICK(!), the thing you plug into the wall, not the port on the phone. The charging brick should preferably be USB-C, like the currently sold charging bricks by Apple, in an attempt for people to not have to buy a new charging brick whenever they change devices, so they can also use their existing ones with their existing cables.

Ok? Thank you. Please stop spreading that the EU wants to force Apple to put USB-C on the phone...

That is not my understanding. What is your source?

EDIT:
Actually don't bother. Here is the link to the EU Commission initiative page.
You are wrong.

European Commission - Have your say

European Commission - Have your say

ec.europa.eu

 

[Zoolook]

"Waah! I can afford a $1,200 phone but I want a free $5 cable waah! Apple is the devil waah!"

You know the score - the more money people make, the more they resent spending it. Just look at who complains the most about taxes.

 

[coolsean20]

Or at least don't hardwire the cord to the MagSafe so you can swap in a different length. I purchased one but returned it because the cord was too short to allow me to use it on my nightstand. I don't mind the standard 1m length and would have kept it if i could have substituted a longer cord. Functionally it's fine IF you want wireless charging. If you don't, then don't buy it.

Why not just buy a USB-C to USB-C female extender? They have them on Amazon. Not sure if they would slow the charging speed though. Does anyone know or tried this?

 

[Hjalnar]

I'm sorry, I've tried to love this product, and then I even tried to just like it, but its just absolutely terrible. Apple has effectively ruined wireless charging in their new devices all in the name of keeping things proprietary for them to keep the cash rolling in. Its is such a poorly done product that makes absolutely zero sense outside of Apple screwing over both the consumer, and manufacturers of Qi charging products.

I watched an interesting video on YouTube (SnazzyLabs) who theorized that Apple made MagSafe because they refuse to comply with the EU's new law that states that all manufacturers must now use the same chargers (USB-C). Apple will be forced after this year to make all of their phones with a standard USB-C charging cable. Well that would be a huge loss of income for Apple due to the fact that the lightning cable and 3rd party MFI (Made for iPhone) lightning cables is a billion dollar industry. Apple makes $4 for every single lightning cable sold in the world with the MFI logo on them. That is a massive amount of money lost if they had to comply to this new law in Europe. So to get around this law, they are going to make a portless phone that only charges with Magsafe next year. 3rd party Manufacturers will have to comply to Apple's standards and have the MFI logo put on any MagSafe alternatives to wirelessly charging, which keeps the cash in Apple's hands. I realize this is a business but they are forcing manufacturers to comply to a new standard of wireless charging while also making us as the consumer buy new wireless chargers if we want to get the full benefit out of them.

The other reason I hate Magsafe is that its crippled all of my other wireless chargers. Apple purposely made its new iPhones only capable of charging at a VERY low wattage on standard Qi charging pads. This is obviously done to push people to use MagSafe, or to buy the new wireless chargers that will have the (MFI) logo on them that comply to Apple's new wireless charging standards. My wireless chargers charge my iPhone 12 max so slowly now that its not really worth using them if I need to get a quick charge in.

Outside of those reasons above, I don't like it becuase its the same as using a cable, it heats up your phone way to much, the cord is too short, the cord gets in the way if not pointed directly down, it damages Apple's expensive leather case, and to me its a completely pointless accessory that Apple is shoving on us because they refuse to make a standard USB-C charging cable for their phones.

I'm sorry for the rant but I had to get that out.

I think your reasons for it being terrible or crippled deviate COMPLETELY from the reasons I personally like MagSafe.

Qi chargers need your phone to be left alone in a pad to "wirelessly charge" which is complete BS because there is still a cable connected to that pad and your phone is UNUSABLE when in those charging pads. This to me makes Qi chargers not only pointless but overall a TERRIBLE experience. MagSafe on the other hand lets you continue to use your phone as if it was plugged in through lighting, THAT is the important part. Sure it charges slower, it doesn't have fast charging, bla b

I'm sorry, I've tried to love this product, and then I even tried to just like it, but its just absolutely terrible. Apple has effectively ruined wireless charging in their new devices all in the name of keeping things proprietary for them to keep the cash rolling in. Its is such a poorly done product that makes absolutely zero sense outside of Apple screwing over both the consumer, and manufacturers of Qi charging products.

I watched an interesting video on YouTube (SnazzyLabs) who theorized that Apple made MagSafe because they refuse to comply with the EU's new law that states that all manufacturers must now use the same chargers (USB-C). Apple will be forced after this year to make all of their phones with a standard USB-C charging cable. Well that would be a huge loss of income for Apple due to the fact that the lightning cable and 3rd party MFI (Made for iPhone) lightning cables is a billion dollar industry. Apple makes $4 for every single lightning cable sold in the world with the MFI logo on them. That is a massive amount of money lost if they had to comply to this new law in Europe. So to get around this law, they are going to make a portless phone that only charges with Magsafe next year. 3rd party Manufacturers will have to comply to Apple's standards and have the MFI logo put on any MagSafe alternatives to wirelessly charging, which keeps the cash in Apple's hands. I realize this is a business but they are forcing manufacturers to comply to a new standard of wireless charging while also making us as the consumer buy new wireless chargers if we want to get the full benefit out of them.

The other reason I hate Magsafe is that its crippled all of my other wireless chargers. Apple purposely made its new iPhones only capable of charging at a VERY low wattage on standard Qi charging pads. This is obviously done to push people to use MagSafe, or to buy the new wireless chargers that will have the (MFI) logo on them that comply to Apple's new wireless charging standards. My wireless chargers charge my iPhone 12 max so slowly now that its not really worth using them if I need to get a quick charge in.

Outside of those reasons above, I don't like it becuase its the same as using a cable, it heats up your phone way to much, the cord is too short, the cord gets in the way if not pointed directly down, it damages Apple's expensive leather case, and to me its a completely pointless accessory that Apple is shoving on us because they refuse to make a standard USB-C charging cable for their phones.

I'm sorry for the rant but I had to get that out.

You REALLY missed the mark on what MagSafe has going for it. The ONLY reason MagSafe is good is because you can use your phone while charging and don't have to set it on one of those pointless Qi charger pads. Sure, it does not have fast charging and things like that, but Qi chargers are THE WORST option for charging your phone, why it's even called "wireless charger" is absurd because your phone has to sit in place and be unusable with Qi chargers. For me, MagSafe is an upgrade in EVERY way to Qi chargers, except charging speed which I'm sure will get fixed later on.

I literally HATE Qi chargers and think they are an idiotic idea with great marketing, because that is NOT "wireless charging" (not claiming MagSafe is, obviously it is not WIRELESS)

 

[acblue94]

I'm fully embracing MagSafe. I have an Apple silicone MagSafe case coming tomorrow. I'm eyeing this for my home office. I'm interested in a future MagSafe dash mount for my car.

SnazzyLabs is wrong. The portless iPhone has been in the works for years now. It's probably coming next year. MagSafe is their solution to charging said device.

I'm not even saying this is a great thing. I'm sure MagSafe has its downsides. But I'm just going to embrace it because if it works well, I think it will honestly be great.

Good luck not getting in an accident everytime the phones comes of the mount in the car and searching for it.

 

[torontotim]

First, there are hundreds of millions (?) of Lightning port equipped iDevices on the planet, and I'd argue the VAST majority of Lightning cables sold around the world are not MFI certified and generating revenue for Apple.

I guess if you don't like Apple's wireless charging tech, buy an Android phone is the answer.

The magnets will make a lot more sense when the iPhone 13 (probably after a 12s mid-gen model) drops the port and you need to attach a charger in the car.

I for one applaud them for ditching chargers from the box, and hope they ditch cables next. I have boxes of various redundant chargers and cables from all manner of device, all on a conveyer belt of obsolescence heading to the e-waste bin.

 

[SRQrws]

Why not just buy a USB-C to USB-C female extender? They have them on Amazon. Not sure if they would slow the charging speed though. Does anyone know or tried this?

I thought of this as well, but saw multiple reviews that stated the female-to-male cables would charge but not pass data. Not sure if Apple has some sort of communication protocol between the MagSafe disc and the charger?? If that is the case, not sure an extender would work. I dunno.....

 

[polyphenol]

Why not just buy a USB-C to USB-C female extender? They have them on Amazon. Not sure if they would slow the charging speed though. Does anyone know or tried this?

I have ordered one because the most convenient USB-C charger in my home office is on the back of my monitor. A short USB-C extender will make that easier for me to plug into.

Funnily enough, I did a similar thing for partner's iMac. The rear USB-A sockets are awkward to access with the machine in its location with back to wall. Some short USB-A extenders have worked very well for years.

 

[Jeaz]

I haven't tried the MagSafe, and you are probably right in your assumptions on the removal of ports and so all that.

But, the fact remains that Qi charging today sucks. It's awful. Unless you have a very expensive multi-coil solution, you are fiddling to find the right spot and then when don't look, it slightly shifts and stops charging. So while there certainly are a lot of negatives to be said about MagSafes there's a lot room for improvement, this is still an effort to make the crappy Qi situation better.

 

[jonnysods]

For a myriad of reasons it seems unavoidable to have a port on the phone. Unless they try using that smart connector on the back for repairs and diagnostics etc.

 

[Silverjerk]

SnazzyLabs is a pretentious, contrarian ****. No offense, but much like the Apple camp banks on garnering views from Apple fanatics, and the PC channels cater to their master race audience effectively, Snazzy has found a strange middle point where almost every one of his videos covering Apple products is intended to put down the particular product he’s covering at that time. It’s genius in its design, but just as grating as the Apple and PC channels that put out obviously biased content. It’s the same formula, over and over again. Which makes his comments’ section especially entertaining, if you enjoy watching members of either camp futilely slinging **** at one another and unraveling at the seams when the opposing team’s incessant inability to see (their) logic pushes them past their already flimsy breaking point.

I am in the unique position of having an actual brain, and using both platforms for nearly 40 years and have no platform loyalty. If something sucks (my $11k Mac Pro included), I gladly admit it. But I don’t need to **** on a great product simply to stir the pot.

In the case of MagSafe, I hate phone cases and of all 6 of my wireless chargers I have never been able to fully charge my phone without it, at some point, working it’s way off the charger’s center, or off the charger completely. I don’t buy the conspiratorial nonsense being slung around here (without actual empirical evidence to back it up), but anecdotally my phone charges at nearly the same rate on my old chargers, and MagSafe adds the benefit of not driving me damn insane when I wake up to find my device on the floor.

I don’t want to dismiss anyone’s valid and totally entitled opinion, but this just seems like the same kind of nonsense that Snazzy himself would eat up, a baseless and largely contrarian point of view on a popular product for the purposes of...something; not sure what exactly.

Here’s a novel idea, if you don’t like something for whatever reason, great. That’s awesome. Just don’t like the thing. I hate bagels. But I don’t stand outside of Einstein slinging my agenda at every customer walking through the door.

 

[lordhamster]

Why not just buy a USB-C to USB-C female extender? They have them on Amazon. Not sure if they would slow the charging speed though. Does anyone know or tried this?

Over on Reddit's /r/usbhardware group someone posted they are using a USB-C extender and it works fine. They also correctly point out that USB-C extender cables are NOT in spec so there is some risk involved. Longer cables could potentially be a fire hazard etc... although at 20w I'm not sure how big the risk would be. At the 100w max for USB-C I'd definitely NOT use an extender.

I have ordered one because the most convenient USB-C charger in my home office is on the back of my monitor. A short USB-C extender will make that easier for me to plug into.

Funnily enough, I did a similar thing for partner's iMac. The rear USB-A sockets are awkward to access with the machine in its location with back to wall. Some short USB-A extenders have worked very well for years.

Your monitor may not output enough power from that port to properly power Magsafe (you'll have to try). Many of the USB-C ports embedded in monitors/computers don't output the full power the spec is capable of.



On the topic of the SnazzyLabs video, it is just plain stupid IMO. Hell I forget now if it was his video or another one, they were complaining that you'd need to set up Magsafe in a dark hallway of your house due to the short cord on Magsafe. The cord is the same length as every cord that ships with every smart phone. I don't get the issue. You can get an extension cord if your plug isn't near where you want to charge. Really I don't understand why the simple addition of magnets to a QI charger is such a controversy.

 

[polyphenol]

Over on Reddit's /r/usbhardware group someone posted they are using a USB-C extender and it works fine. They also correctly point out that USB-C extender cables are NOT in spec so there is some risk involved. Longer cables could potentially be a fire hazard etc... although at 20w I'm not sure how big the risk would be. At the 100w max for USB-C I'd definitely NOT use an extender.



Your monitor may not output enough power from that port to properly power Magsafe (you'll have to try). Many of the USB-C ports embedded in monitors/computers don't output the full power the spec is capable of.

Well it is powerful enough to charge a Microsoft Surface 7 adequately - while it is in active use. Can't be certain the wattage - at least 30W.

 

[xDeadTechx]

I'm sorry, I've tried to love this product, and then I even tried to just like it, but its just absolutely terrible. Apple has effectively ruined wireless charging in their new devices all in the name of keeping things proprietary for them to keep the cash rolling in. Its is such a poorly done product that makes absolutely zero sense outside of Apple screwing over both the consumer, and manufacturers of Qi charging products.

I watched an interesting video on YouTube (SnazzyLabs) who theorized that Apple made MagSafe because they refuse to comply with the EU's new law that states that all manufacturers must now use the same chargers (USB-C). Apple will be forced after this year to make all of their phones with a standard USB-C charging cable. Well that would be a huge loss of income for Apple due to the fact that the lightning cable and 3rd party MFI (Made for iPhone) lightning cables is a billion dollar industry. Apple makes $4 for every single lightning cable sold in the world with the MFI logo on them. That is a massive amount of money lost if they had to comply to this new law in Europe. So to get around this law, they are going to make a portless phone that only charges with Magsafe next year. 3rd party Manufacturers will have to comply to Apple's standards and have the MFI logo put on any MagSafe alternatives to wirelessly charging, which keeps the cash in Apple's hands. I realize this is a business but they are forcing manufacturers to comply to a new standard of wireless charging while also making us as the consumer buy new wireless chargers if we want to get the full benefit out of them.

The other reason I hate Magsafe is that its crippled all of my other wireless chargers. Apple purposely made its new iPhones only capable of charging at a VERY low wattage on standard Qi charging pads. This is obviously done to push people to use MagSafe, or to buy the new wireless chargers that will have the (MFI) logo on them that comply to Apple's new wireless charging standards. My wireless chargers charge my iPhone 12 max so slowly now that its not really worth using them if I need to get a quick charge in.

Outside of those reasons above, I don't like it becuase its the same as using a cable, it heats up your phone way to much, the cord is too short, the cord gets in the way if not pointed directly down, it damages Apple's expensive leather case, and to me its a completely pointless accessory that Apple is shoving on us because they refuse to make a standard USB-C charging cable for their phones.

I'm sorry for the rant but I had to get that out.

I think the butterfly keyboard would beg to differ as being the worst thing Apple's ever made.

 

[fuchsdh]

just out of curiosity isn't mag safe just wireless charging that has existed on the iPhones for years?

Slightly nicer and faster wireless charging, but yeah.

I don't get being bent out of shape about it. You don't have to use it. You probably shouldn't use it (it's faster and more energy-efficient to use a cable.)

 

[treyjustice]

Every single wireless charger I have works the same on my 12PM as they did on my XS...

 

[jimbobb24]

One could see that as a money grab (which it probably is), but with charging equipment I LIKE the certification. Go over to reddit and check out /r/usbchardware. You'll see that there are TONS of poorly designed/implemented USB-C products out there that are potential fire hazards and/or can damage your device. I typically will only buy USB IF certified devices, or products that have been reviewed by Benson Leung (not sure on the spelling) for this reason.

Frankly I don't trust some crappy 3rd party charger with no verification or certification, especially when heat is such a big issue in the wireless world. I've had crappy QI chargers actually melt in the past with my older Android phones. Not something I wish to repeat.

I'm not the only one that has happened to either:
Google "qi charger melt"


Yeah. I really don't understand people getting so bent out of shape about what amounts to only the addition of magnets that help with alignment and mounting. Literally nobody moaned about the magnets in the Nexus 5 line.

I bought lightning cables off Amazon. All died within 6 months. 10 of them. I got what I paid for.

 

[lordhamster]

Just for giggles, I just put my Pro-Max on my YooTech charger that I used with my old Pixel 4XL (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B082XDGK8J/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

Here is a measurement of the wattage (Please excuse poor image quality, this is from my Gen 1 iPad Pro), If you zoom in, you'll see with the phone charging, the charger is drawing 7.9w from the adapter. I'm confident I'm getting the EXACT same charging performance I did with previous iPhones on my standard QI chargers.

 

[jimbobb24]

Portless phones would be the most environmentally wasteful act in Apple's history. Induction charging is inefficient and much of the electricity is converted to heat. It means you need more power (coal and gas for the majority of the world) to charge your phone. It means the heat causes increases battery deterioration. It is just an insanely wasteful technology. Apple would clearly be doing sometime "bad for the environment" but "good for Apple" - which is their true guiding principle.

 

[oneMadRssn]

I watched an interesting video on YouTube (SnazzyLabs) who theorized that Apple made MagSafe because they refuse to comply with the EU's new law that states that all manufacturers must now use the same chargers (USB-C). Apple will be forced after this year to make all of their phones with a standard USB-C charging cable.

OP - This post quoted below is correct. Your premise about Apple being forced to switch to USB-C on the phones is wrong. They only need to switch the AC-DC charting bricks to USB-C, which they've done already. It's not at all a thread to their MFI program.

Link to the EU resolution is below.

All I see is that they wish the charger (that plugs into the wall) to standardize on USBC. I can find no requirement about device or phone port type. Thus USBC to Lightning cable would meet the charger requirement.

Maybe I'm misreading it, or maybe there's a different resolution?

Because it seems a lot of the internet misunderstood that resolution, resulting in completely false premises such as what you outline above.

So if you could point to the source document(s) showing that phone ports must standardize, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!

JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on a common charger for mobile radio equipment | RC-B9-0070/2020 | European Parliament

JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION pursuant to Rule 132(2) and (4) of the Rules of Procedure replacing the following motions: B9-0070/2020 (PPE) B9-0072/2020 (S&D) B9-0074/2020 (Verts/ALE) B9-0075/2020 (Renew) B9-0076/2020 (GUE/NGL) B9-0085/2020 (ECR) on a common charger for mobile radio equipment...

www.europarl.europa.eu

This is correct, the EU is not forcing phone ports to be USB-C, but rather the ports on the AC-DC charging bricks.

 

[CaseyRC]

I totally respect the opinions of others, I feel like I'm missing something though. I just got my magsafe charger in this week and I think it's great! The magnets are much stronger than I have been led to believe based on all the youtube reviews I have watched. I'm using it with the iphone 12 Pro Max with the Apple leather case and I don't know if that makes any difference. That being said, I've never really been a wireless charger user before so I'm sure that is affecting my opinion of this feature. All I know is that it's really convenient how much better MagSafe works for my iPhone compared to my apple watch! My watch is always falling off that little charger haha

 

[Silverjerk]

I think the butterfly keyboard would beg to differ as being the worst thing Apple's ever made.

Totally subjective, but I agree. Outside of the hockey puck mouse (and potentially every mouse they’ve ever made), and arguably the Newton and G4 Cube, that keyboard ruined my ****ing life and I would’ve given away my favorite cat for a better keyboard on those models. As a traveling developer, I literally threw a top of the line 2016/2017 MacBook Pro into a drawer and used my old 2015 15” until the redesigned 16” model released. I absolutely abhorred that thing. How the **** it passed QC defies all logic. I can only chalk it up to drinking one’s own Koolaid and just that ages old cliche of being too close to a product and not designing for your audience.

 

[CaseyRC]

Fantastic post.

Pardon my ignorance but how will diagnostics be run on a phone without a port?

I would assume they would add in a diagnostic port just like they do on the Apple Watch, but I'm just guessing.

 

[lordhamster]

Portless phones would be the most environmentally wasteful act in Apple's history. Induction charging is inefficient and much of the electricity is converted to heat. It means you need more power (coal and gas for the majority of the world) to charge your phone. It means the heat causes increases battery deterioration. It is just an insanely wasteful technology. Apple would clearly be doing sometime "bad for the environment" but "good for Apple" - which is their true guiding principle.

While I agree wireless charging is wasteful. I'd pay extra for phone where:

• There are no ports
• The port is "power only" with no data transfer.

While I'm cognizant this could represent repair/troubleshooting challenges, for ME the security benefits outweigh the downsides. I'd be ok with some sort of metallic contacts on the back of the phone for "wired" charging without the data transfer capability. This would offset the energy-loss concerns.

The data port is the #1 vector for "cracks" at the moment: https://www.businessinsider.com/police-tools-crack-locked-smartphones-2020-10

 

[th3engineer]

I'm sorry, I've tried to love this product, and then I even tried to just like it, but its just absolutely terrible. Apple has effectively ruined wireless charging in their new devices all in the name of keeping things proprietary for them to keep the cash rolling in. Its is such a poorly done product that makes absolutely zero sense outside of Apple screwing over both the consumer, and manufacturers of Qi charging products.

I watched an interesting video on YouTube (SnazzyLabs) who theorized that Apple made MagSafe because they refuse to comply with the EU's new law that states that all manufacturers must now use the same chargers (USB-C). Apple will be forced after this year to make all of their phones with a standard USB-C charging cable. Well that would be a huge loss of income for Apple due to the fact that the lightning cable and 3rd party MFI (Made for iPhone) lightning cables is a billion dollar industry. Apple makes $4 for every single lightning cable sold in the world with the MFI logo on them. That is a massive amount of money lost if they had to comply to this new law in Europe. So to get around this law, they are going to make a portless phone that only charges with Magsafe next year. 3rd party Manufacturers will have to comply to Apple's standards and have the MFI logo put on any MagSafe alternatives to wirelessly charging, which keeps the cash in Apple's hands. I realize this is a business but they are forcing manufacturers to comply to a new standard of wireless charging while also making us as the consumer buy new wireless chargers if we want to get the full benefit out of them.

The other reason I hate Magsafe is that its crippled all of my other wireless chargers. Apple purposely made its new iPhones only capable of charging at a VERY low wattage on standard Qi charging pads. This is obviously done to push people to use MagSafe, or to buy the new wireless chargers that will have the (MFI) logo on them that comply to Apple's new wireless charging standards. My wireless chargers charge my iPhone 12 max so slowly now that its not really worth using them if I need to get a quick charge in.

Outside of those reasons above, I don't like it becuase its the same as using a cable, it heats up your phone way to much, the cord is too short, the cord gets in the way if not pointed directly down, it damages Apple's expensive leather case, and to me its a completely pointless accessory that Apple is shoving on us because they refuse to make a standard USB-C charging cable for their phones.

I'm sorry for the rant but I had to get that out.

I'm sorry (and I respect your opinion) but the Apple III is the worst product they have ever made. It would literally melt and Woz stated that it "had 100 percent hardware failures".