Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack Might Get A Lot Better This Year

Apple's MagSafe battery pack has been held back by the size constraints of smaller iPhones. With a new lineup this year, the charger could be updated.

Apple's own portable charging solution for iPhones, the MagSafe battery pack, pales in comparison to third-party magnetic portable chargers due to size constraints — but that might change after the upcoming release of new smartphones this fall. The MagSafe battery pack was first introduced in 2021 months after the iPhone 12 was released with built-in magnets for connection to new accessories. It replaced the Smart Battery Case, which was a chunky case for older iPhones that added another battery for extending an iPhone's battery life. However, the MagSafe battery pack came up short in two key areas: price and performance. The additional portable charger has a retail price of $99, fitting in as a premium option to add extra battery life to an iPhone. Despite the high price tag, the MagSafe battery pack's performance hasn't quite lived up to expectations.

The latest portable charger from Apple is made possible by the company's MagSafe standard, which actually differs by device type. MacBooks from 2006-2015 feature charging cables with MagSafe or MagSafe 2 connectivity. Instead of plugging straight into a recessed port, MagSafe charging cables connect magnetically with shallow pins. Whenever the cord is pulled, the cable automatically detaches from the MacBook, reducing the risk of accidental drops. In 2021, Apple introduced the iPhone 12 series with MagSafe technology that was different from the older standard found on MacBooks. The iPhone 12 and 13 series feature a circular arrangement of magnets that can be used for connection with cases, accessories, and chargers. To further complicate the two standards, Apple reintroduced MagSafe on the Mac that same year.

The main hindrance of the MagSafe battery pack is its performance, and that's directly correlated to the iPhone's form factor. Apple's portable charger has a capacity of 1,460 mAh, which is less than half of the battery capacity of most iPhones. The company confirms this on its website, claiming the MagSafe battery pack offers between 40 and 70 percent additional charge depending on the model of iPhone. The mini series will receive the most benefit from a MagSafe battery pack — gaining 70 percent additional charge — while the Pro Max series receives just 40 percent additional charge. The reason that the MagSafe battery pack has such a small capacity rating is due to the fact that it is designed to work with every iPhone. It has to fit the smallest iPhone 13 mini perfectly while also servicing the biggest iPhone 13 Pro Max.

A Bigger Battery Pack Means Better Battery Capacity
Currently, the MagSafe battery pack is designed to fit the iPhone 12 and 13 mini perfectly. The bottom and sides of the battery pack line up with the iPhone's flat edges, while the top of the battery pack sits right under the smartphone's camera bump. This is great for mini users, as the MagSafe battery pack may just be the only battery pack designed for that model. However, for most users daily driving an iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, or iPhone 13 Pro Max, the size of the MagSafe battery pack is too small. Apple's portable charger uses MagSafe connectivity to lock in place securely on any size iPhone, but the battery pack's dimensions leave wasted space on the back of bigger iPhones.

Apple tried out a smaller form factor iPhone with the iPhone 12 and 13 mini, but it turns out most consumers are looking to buy larger devices. The two models didn't meet or exceed the company's expectations, and multiple reports claim Apple will discontinue the mini series this year. Instead, the company will likely introduce an iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Max, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max at its fall event. That means the smallest iPhone in 2022 will have a 6.1-inch display, up from the 5.4-inch iPhone 13 mini. With the additional space on the back of the upcoming iPhone 14, Apple could update the MagSafe battery pack to fill out the proportions of the latest iPhones. A potential update could mean a slimmer form factor and additional capacity for the MagSafe battery pack this year.

Source: Apple