iPhone 12 What problem is MagSafe solving?

[4sallypat]

I agree with the OP, I don't see an advantage other than faster charging.
My current 2 iphones are charged on a dual Qi charge pad from a single 18W charger.
When I get up in the morning, I don't want the magnetic charger stuck to the backs that causes the chargers to get hung up.
I grab and go...

 

[iZac]

The problem is that Apple isn't making MFi royalties off of a popular charging solution the way they did from Lightning and they way they wouldn't from USB C.

 

[macintoshmac]

if you have wired earphones, you can use them with the phone on MagSafe without using a splitter.
If MagSafe charger works on AW, I can have to pack only one charger for traveling. Does it work?

The headphones aspect is true, though it is so long as the port exists, which, I suspect, is going to become history soon. This was an inconvenience Apple created to push their AirPods. When companies do it, it's taken positively and called business; when people do it, it's taken demeaningly and called insecurity.

However, charging the Watch and Phone using one charger makes sense on an everyday basis. Although, personally, if I am going to be packing, I would prefer two chargers over one since there can be scenarios where both my watch and phone are equally drained during the course of my travelling and it would be better to charge them simultaneously using individual chargers than tossing a coin to decide which device gets the love first. But, every day, one charger is all I need and a unified charger for Watch and iPhone can be a good thing (if I do not already have Apple chargers at home).

Blows Apple's carbon footprint saving claims out of the water, though. Apple marketed their greed as saving the planet from the chargers everybody has. They know and we know that there will be millions who will buy these new chargers for their iPhone 12 devices even when they could have used the chargers they have already - the ones that Apple said people have and use, and do not need new. Defeats the whole argument and point, but brings Apple money today and tomorrow. It's both funny and sad how we can be played, get played and almost even love to being played when it comes to, but certainly not limited to, Apple.

 

[bandrews]

I have an ultra cheap toy drone, and I can transfer all its footage wirelessly via direct WiFi to my Android. If a cheap drone can do this, can’t believe a more advance drone can’t.

If you've got an expensive drone with big 4k files it takes forever to transfer wirelessly. Using the SD card is way quicker.

Misalignment of the qi charger is my biggest issue. Just being able to put it somewhere near and it clipping on would be great.

 

[Nozuka]

However, charging the Watch and Phone using one charger makes sense on an everyday basis. Although, personally, if I am going to be packing, I would prefer two chargers over one since there can be scenarios where both my watch and phone are equally drained during the course of my travelling and it would be better to charge them simultaneously using individual chargers than tossing a coin to decide which device gets the love first. But, every day, one charger is all I need and a unified charger for Watch and iPhone can be a good thing (if I do not already have Apple chargers at home).

For traveling the MagSafe Duo charger will be the most convenient solution. Can also be folded to use less space. Sadly no release date yet.

Should also be easy to remove the phone one-handed with this one. Since you can push the charger down with a finger, while prying off the phone.

 

[FreeWoRLD83]

I agree with OP and asked that question myself.

I already initiated the return for the clear case (looks way to much cheap) and I think I will be returning the magsafe charger as well as the official silicon case. I don’t want any magnets in my pocket where I also keep my wallet with credit cards in them. Probably no harm but just to be sure. For case without the magnets, I’ll just buy a nice silicone case on Amazon for $10-15.

It’s not the money but I just can’t find a single use case or necessity for the magsafe. I’m already wireless on the headphones side and I don’t use the lightning port for anything else other than charging as well as CarPlay. I see nothing wrong with using the older lightning cables.

 

[_Refurbished_]

This is the beginning of the end of the lightning port. For all the people that said that charging your phone without a port would be cumbersome, this is the solution.

I wouldn't be surprised if they release a faster, upgraded MagSafe when they release a port free iPhone.

MagSafe is less about this year's iPhones and more about preparing consumers for what's on the horizon.

 

[ian87w]

If you've got an expensive drone with big 4k files it takes forever to transfer wirelessly. Using the SD card is way quicker.

By the time Apple put out a portless iPhone, I'm sure the accessory makers are also ready with a solution. Thus my speculation of MagSafe 2.0 having a data connectivity.

 

[Alaxlmartin]

Apple’s bank account

 

[mrklaw]

- using your phone while charging. I didn’t realise this was a big complaint about wireless charging - just put it back on the charger when you’re done? Do people use the phone so much that they can’t leave it on a charger for 30 minutes to charge up during the day? 1m cable will make that a little cumbersome without having the 20w charger very close to you. Wish they’d have supplied it as a charger with USB-C socket and separate USB-C cable so we can more easily use a longer 6ft cable if needed. USB-C extensions are not ideal.

- helping to align the charger so you can drop it onto the charger quickly and easily without worrying its actually charging. This is the main reason I bought it. But the magnet is pretty strong (see above) so taking it off might be a PITA. I’ll be sticking my charger to the table but not ideal. A little surprised the charger doesn’t have at least a silicon/grippy base so you can at least slide/twist to detach (which wouldn’t affect the ability to just pick it up)

 

[bandrews]

By the time Apple put out a portless iPhone, I'm sure the accessory makers are also ready with a solution. Thus my speculation of MagSafe 2.0 having a data connectivity.

I'm sure it will but I was just pointing out that yes, while one can transfer data wirelessly between a drone and iOS, at present it is far, far slower to transfer GBs of videos and photos wirelessly from a drone to a phone/tablet. Unless there is near parity in data transfer speeds then it is not a viable solution.

 

[Riffz60]

Its a solution to a future problem. Apple want a portless phone so to make the transition easier they want people to be eased in with MagSafe.

Why they’re determined to go portless is another question..

 

[pbatty89]

i honestly dont understand this thing of waking up and realising your phone hasnt charged as it wasnt in place on the qi charger. When you put it down it vibrates to show its charging. pretty much the same as the notification the magsafe chargers give. do people literally throw it on and just not look at it.

 

[torukawahata]

i honestly dont understand this thing of waking up and realising your phone hasnt charged as it wasnt in place on the qi charger. When you put it down it vibrates to show its charging. pretty much the same as the notification the magsafe chargers give. do people literally throw it on and just not look at it.

Well, one time when I put my phone on the charger it charged normally, but I probably bumped the charger when I was asleep. I woke up with 34% battery! Accidents happen

 

[ian87w]

Its a solution to a future problem. Apple want a portless phone so to make the transition easier they want people to be eased in with MagSafe.

Why they’re determined to go portless is another question..

Going portless is an Apple thing. Remember how Jobs was against expansion slots in the original Mac.

 

[Sam in SoCal]

I like the magnetism... and I loved MagSafe on Macs, still sorta sad to see it go... but I'm not sure I really get it exactly here when I really think about it.

I'm not a hater, I want to like it, but I'm trying to understand how it fits in with my use cases.

its 15w charging vs 7.5w, so faster than wireless charging - which I've always found to be a downside, the slowness. Unless it's on your night stand and serving as an overnight top off, in which case speed isn't that important.

It addresses being able to charge and use your phone instead of keeping it flat and unusable in a lot of situations, which I like, but lightning charging does that and always has. And without bulking up the device as well.

The magnetism is cool too, but will I have to pry it off the desk and try to keep the magnet in place any time I want to lift it off a desk? Because the lack of magnetism in wireless charging made that a plus, for general ease of use.

Also, the strength of the magnet leads me to believe it's not a fail safe for being tripped over; it will take the phone with it.

Now where I could see this having perks is serving as an iPhone stand and fast charger in the car, being propped up. But that's about it off hand

It solves the problem of squeezing blood out of a turnip

 

[mrklaw]

It solves the problem of squeezing blood out of a turnip

turnip here, reporting for duty!

 

[bluecoast]

Portless isn’t just for Apple. One of the challenges with fully waterproofing a phone is that last port. I still use wired headphones because I think airpods are too expensive, but I’d be willing to deal with it for a waterproof iPhone.

Exactly that.

It’s getting everyone used to the idea that inductive charging is really ok and that the slower charging speed will be a worthwhile compromise.

Why? Because you’ll be able to take your iPhone with you when snorkelling (and video and photograph what you see), to the beach and to the pool etc. and not having to worry about dropping it into the you know what...

I suspect at least one line next year will be portless - likely the pro.

 

[The Game 161]

Does MagSafe charge Airpods?

I want just one charger that charges everything, darn it!

Yeah it does

 

[Zanton68]

I like the magnetism... and I loved MagSafe on Macs, still sorta sad to see it go... but I'm not sure I really get it exactly here when I really think about it.

I'm not a hater, I want to like it, but I'm trying to understand how it fits in with my use cases.

its 15w charging vs 7.5w, so faster than wireless charging - which I've always found to be a downside, the slowness. Unless it's on your night stand and serving as an overnight top off, in which case speed isn't that important.

It addresses being able to charge and use your phone instead of keeping it flat and unusable in a lot of situations, which I like, but lightning charging does that and always has. And without bulking up the device as well.

The magnetism is cool too, but will I have to pry it off the desk and try to keep the magnet in place any time I want to lift it off a desk? Because the lack of magnetism in wireless charging made that a plus, for general ease of use.

Also, the strength of the magnet leads me to believe it's not a fail safe for being tripped over; it will take the phone with it.

Now where I could see this having perks is serving as an iPhone stand and fast charger in the car, being propped up. But that's about it off hand

I think it’s main benefit is to make sure the phone is in touch with the charger so no waking up to find it wasn’t perfectly on the charging mat(?)

Also, might be handy for attracting nearby keys, paperclips, small coins maybe 🤔😃

 

[frumpy16]

The thing that kills me is it being called “wireless charging”. I watched a review video yesterday talking about how Apple solved this problem of being able to use the phone while on MagSafe because of the long cord. It’s not wireless charging if you’re tethered to a cord... And I seem to be able to do that now (with higher watts) using my Lightning port. 🤷‍♂️

 

[frumpy16]

That you can lift and use your iPhone while normal while it wirelessly charges. That's one of the biggest objections to a portless iPhone answered.

While it wirelessly charges with a wire attached to it? 🤣

 

[naturalguy]

You are in luck, the magnets are weak

 

[Stolz25]

How will that work with speakers and microphones?

Honestly, I don’t know. Technically neither one of those requires a fully open port, but just a membrane that will allow sound to transmit, like your ear. It was my understanding that basically the only thing stopping phone makers from waterproofing the phones was the ports.

Again, could be wrong. Anyone actually know for sure?

 

[Simacca]

The only advantage I see is smaller battery cases.