Have you ever dreamed about charging your phone on the go? In today’s day and age, convenience is the driver behind the majority of the technological advances we make. We want things fast, simple, and able to adapt to our unique set of preferences and needs.
MagSafe, which debuted in 2020 with the release of the iPhone 12, was Apple’s answer to our desire for a convenient and speedy charging solution. Wireless, sleek, and secure, MagSafe is made up of a series of magnets that detect and attach to other magnets of its kind. But is this technology safe to use?
In this article, we answer all your burning questions about MagSafe, including how it works, what a MagSafe case is, and whether or not this technology is worth investing in.
What Is MagSafe?
The term “MagSafe” was first used to describe MacBook chargers before Apple switched them to USB-C. Back then, the technology wasn’t wireless. This original MagSafe used magnets to connect chargers easily to the MacBook charging ports. The magnets snapped off easily when pulled, protecting the charging cable from damage and preventing the MacBook from being pulled down from wherever it sat. The magnets also made it easy to connect your charger to your MacBook without looking.
With the release of the iPhone 12, Apple completely overhauled the MagSafe technology to create an ecosystem of wireless chargers and other accessories for your phone. Wireless charging removes the need for a Lightning port, which improves waterproofing and frees up space inside the phone. This could be used for a larger battery, better camera equipment, and more. The MagSafe technology has been included in every iPhone model since the iPhone 12.
Part of the charm of MagSafe is its ease of use. Up until recently, many wireless power transfer solutions required you to find that “sweet spot” where the device and charger meet. With MagSafe, the magnets inside your device snap to the magnets inside the charger. This creates a perfect closed circuit every time, which ensures speedy and efficient charging.
MagSafe also acts as a connection for various accessories, such as webcam mounts, portable chargers for other Apple products, phone grips, and bicycle mounts.
What Is MagSafe Charging vs Qi Charging?
Qi (pronounced “chee”) aims to standardize wireless charging across devices from any production company. It helps to prevent overloading incompatible devices, overheating of devices, and heat transfer to surrounding objects while in use. When a device is Qi-Certified, it means it has been tested for safety, compatibility, and effectiveness by the Wireless Power Consortium. You can trust that using it won’t fry your device over time. But, old off-brand Qi chargers often limit you to a 7.5W charging speed.
MagSafe technology uses Qi-based charging coils, but it allows you to reach a wireless charging power of up to 15W. This means speedier charging, without compromising on safety or longevity.
How Does MagSafe Work?
The iPhone 12, 13, and 14 models each contain a ring of 18 rectangular magnets. These are positioned beneath the charging coils. Wireless charging uses a combination of coils and magnets to create enough power to charge your device. It works using Faraday’s law of induction which states that changes in the magnetic environment of a coil of wire produce an electric current.
Older devices that could charge wirelessly had the charging coil, but they did not have magnets underneath to hold chargers and accessories in place.
The MagSafe magnets add extra functionality and ease to your device by securely holding chargers and other accessories in place. They sense MagSafe-compatible accessories and allow them to snap together. This creates a seamless and secure connection for charging and other functionalities.
What Is a MagSafe Case?
Most phone cases make use of a lip to attach firmly to the phone. This is necessary to prevent the phone from slipping out of the case, but it makes it harder to insert and remove your phone. You also risk damaging or warping the case every time you need to force it on or off.
MagSafe phone cases attach securely using the snap-on magnets built into your device. This ensures a strong connection and removes the need for the lip that would cause the case to warp over time.
Most MagSafe cases are designed with other MagSafe accessories in mind, and will not interfere with their functionality. However, it’s always recommended to check the packaging of MagSafe accessories to ensure they’re case-compatible.
How to Use MagSafe Charger
Using a MagSafe charger can be a slight learning curve if you’ve ever seen one before. To use a MagSafe charger with iPhone 12, iPhone 13, or iPhone 14 models, follow these easy steps:
- Start by connecting the USB-C connector on the MagSafe charger to a 20W USB-C power adapter.
- Place the charger face-up on a flat surface that is free of foreign or metal objects.
- Place your iPhone on the charger and let the magnets seamlessly snap together.
- Some chargers will switch on automatically to charge your device. For others, particularly portable chargers, you’ll need to press the power button to initiate charging.
And that’s it! Your phone is charging.
Be sure to turn your power source on before placing your phone on the charger. This gives MagSafe a chance to determine whether or not it’s safe to deliver maximum power. MagSafe technology dynamically optimizes the power delivery to your phone depending on key factors. These include system activity and the room’s temperature. By changing the power delivered at any given time, MagSafe protects the charger and device longevity.
Is MagSafe Worth It?
By investing in MagSafe chargers or other MagSafe accessories, you gain access to the full spectrum of Apple iPhone features. You’ll experience faster charging and a secure magnetic connection that won’t be affected by any phone vibrations.
The MagSafe snap-on attachment also lets you make use of exciting and useful accessories, such as:
- magnetic car vent mounts
- fitness mounts
- face motion trackers
- power banks
- phone grips
- and more!
With the versatility and reliability of the technology, we believe that MagSafe is definitely worth the investment.
The Best MagSafe Products
With so many “MagSafe Compatible” devices out there, it can be hard to know which ones you can trust. Here at Baseus, we recommend the following three charging devices to start your MagSafe journey with:
1. MagSafe Portable Charger
The Baseus Magnetic Portable Charger 20W has an incredibly large charging capacity of 10,000mAh. This is equivalent to 36 hours of video playback time on the iPhone 14!
As part of the Baseus Megattach Series, this portable power bank possesses pass-through charging which allows you to charge your phone while charging the power bank at the same time. Alternatively, you can charge two devices at once by using the USB-C port and its wireless technology.
This portable charger has rounded edges and corners and is soft to the touch. It has a compact and camera-friendly design, so you can take unobstructed photos even while charging your phone. The charger also has intuitive LED lights that make it easy to read the power bank’s status and battery capacity. The charger is available in black and white.
2. MagSafe Power Bank
The Baseus Magnetic Power Bank 20W also has a charging capacity of 10,000mAh. With two USB-C slots and wireless charging available, you can charge up to three devices at the same time. The LED display screen tells you the remaining battery capacity at a glance.
Its design includes a notched area that prevents your camera lens from being scratched while charging. The charger is available in blue and white, and it received the German Red Dot Award for 2021.
3. MagSafe Mini Charger
The Baseus Simple Mini3 Magnetic Wireless Charger 15W offers safe and reliable wireless charging. This charger weighs 0.1 lbs and is 0.2 inches thin. Even though this charger is the size and weight of a cookie, it brings you powerful and speedy charging potential. Made with N52 magnets to guarantee a strong connection, the Mini3 can charge your iPhone in a snap. It has an Aerogel casing to protect your phone and is available in black and silver varieties.
MagSafe Technology From Baseus
As you can see, MagSafe technology is paving the way to more efficient and varied device usage. With its secure and seamless magnetic connection, you can place greater trust in the charging ability and the firm grip of phone cases, device mounts, and other accessories. MagSafe wireless charging is the future of power transfer.
Now that you can answer the question, “What is MagSafe?” are you ready to use MagSafe technology? You can increase your charging speed and charging efficiency, or access hundreds of useful MagSafe-compatible accessories.
Baseus makes it easy to access the full scope of MagSafe technology with affordable and trustworthy wireless charging devices and other phone accessories. Browse our comprehensive product list and enjoy free shipping for all orders over $59.90. Baseus answers all your power needs, whether you’re at home or out and about!
