Top iPhone 12 MagSafe Battery Titan, Leading the Charge
In the market for a portable charger for your iPhone 12? MagSafe-compatible chargers offer a range of advantages and disadvantages based on their design, capacity, charging speed, and features. Here's a breakdown of four MagSafe-compatible wireless batteries that have been tested: Apple MagSafe Battery Pack, Zens Magnetic Dual Powerbank, Mophie Snap+ Juice Pack Mini, and Anker PowerCore Magnetic 5K.
Pros
- Secure Magnetic Connection: MagSafe chargers snap magnetically to the back of compatible iPhones, ensuring consistent alignment and efficient charging without the hassle of misaligned coils common in traditional wireless chargers.
- Faster Charging Speeds: Official MagSafe-compatible power banks, like the Anker MagGo Power Bank 6.6K, can provide up to 15 watts (Qi2-certified) or even 20 watts with wired USB-C to Lightning charging, offering faster wireless charging compared to standard 7.5-watt Qi chargers.
- Portability and Convenience: Many MagSafe power banks have compact, lightweight designs (e.g., Anker 622 MagGo is about 5 ounces and slim), making them easy to carry and use on the go without cables for charging the phone.
- Multifunctionality: Some models can charge multiple devices simultaneously or also serve as a stand with customizable viewing angles (e.g., Mophie 3-in-1 Extendable MagSafe Stand).
- Compatibility: MagSafe chargers work best with iPhone 12 and later models and can also work with some Android phones that support 15W wireless charging.
Cons
- Limited Compatibility: MagSafe only works with iPhone 12 and newer, so older iPhones are unsupported, potentially limiting use for users with mixed devices.
- Higher Cost: MagSafe-compatible chargers typically cost more than standard wireless or wired chargers due to their magnetic alignment features and certifications.
- Battery Capacity vs. Size Tradeoff: Many portable MagSafe chargers offer moderate battery capacities (around 5,000 to 6,600 mAh), which might only fully charge an iPhone once, unlike bulkier power banks with higher capacity but no magnetic attachment.
- Limited Ports: Some models come with only one USB-C port for recharging the battery itself, limiting simultaneous wired charging of other devices.
- No Universal Wireless Charging: Some power banks focus exclusively on MagSafe charging and lack traditional Qi wireless charging for non-MagSafe devices, reducing versatility.
Comparison Example
| Feature | Anker MagGo Power Bank 6.6K | Anker 622 MagGo | Mophie 3-in-1 Extendable MagSafe Stand | |-----------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------| | Battery Capacity | 6,600 mAh | 5,000 mAh | Varies (stand with charging puck) | | Wireless Charging Output | 15W Qi2 MagSafe, 20W wired USB-C to Lightning | Approx. 5W–7.5W (lower speed, but compact) | Typically 15W MagSafe wireless | | Portability | Compact foldable design | Slim and lightweight | Larger, for desk use | | Additional Features | Can charge two devices simultaneously | Instant power on when attached | Functions as a stand, adjustable viewing angle | | Price | Moderate to High | Moderate | Higher, due to multifunctionality |
Choosing between these depends on your priorities: If you prefer fastest wireless charging on the go, choose a power bank with 15W Qi2 certification and sufficient capacity. For desk use combined with phone stand functionality, multifunctional MagSafe stands are better. For lightweight portability, slim models like Anker 622 are suitable, albeit with slower charging and less capacity.
Overall, consider your charging speed needs, device compatibility, battery size, and whether you want extras like adjustable stands or multi-device charging when selecting a MagSafe-compatible portable charger for iPhone 12 and newer models.
Charging Speeds
- The Mophie Snap+ Juice Pack Mini charges the iPhone 12 faster than the other three batteries, with a charging speed of up to 7.5W when not plugged into a wall adapter.
- The Zens Magnetic Dual Powerbank and the Mophie Snap+ Juice Pack Mini charge the iPhone 12 at a speed of 7.5W when not plugged into a wall adapter.
- The Anker PowerCore Magnetic 5K charges the iPhone 12 at a speed of 5W when not plugged into a wall adapter.
- The Apple MagSafe Battery Pack charges the iPhone 12 at a speed of 5W when not plugged into a wall adapter.
- The Apple MagSafe Battery Pack charges the iPhone 12, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max at up to 15W speeds when connected to a 20W+ power source.
Background
MagSafe debuted on the iPhone 12 lineup in late 2020, designed to make charging easier and attach accessories. The Mophie, Anker, and Zens batteries feature a multi-LED power meter, while the Apple MagSafe Battery Pack has a single LED to indicate its charge status. The Zens Magnetic Dual Powerbank offers wireless charging on both sides of the battery, but it makes the battery thicker and requires the iPhone to be placed face down for dual charging to work. The Apple MagSafe Battery Pack starts charging an iPhone automatically when it's attached, while the Mophie, Anker, and Zens batteries require manual activation. The Apple MagSafe Battery Pack is the smallest of the four batteries tested, designed to fit the smallest iPhone 12 model. The Apple MagSafe Battery Pack and Mophie Snap+ Juice Pack Mini have distinctive designs, appealing to personal tastes and aesthetics.
- Gizmodo's review of MagSafe-compatible chargers highlights the future of technology, featuring gadgets like the Mophie Snap+ Juice Pack Mini, which offers one of the fastest charging speeds (up to 7.5W) for smartphones like the iPhone 12.
- In comparing technology solutions for the future, users considering portable chargers for their iPhone 12 will find advantages and disadvantages in multiple options, such as the Apple MagSafe Battery Pack which offers 15W speeds with a 20W+ power source, but may have limited compatibility with older iPhones.
- As technology continues to evolve, Gadget enthusiasts anticipate the impact of development in power management systems, as witnessed in MagSafe's advanced charging solutions, with potential implications for devices such as smartphones and other portable gadgets.
