Apple’s MagSafe technology, which allows a magnetic connection to be made between an accessory, such as a wallet, case or removable battery, is here to stay. Apple did it again with this technology with the iPhone 13. It was first used for the first time in the iPhone 12.
Apple released a MagSafe battery pack for the iPhone 12 earlier this year, and with the iPhone 13’s MagSafe support, we’re sure to see more accessories and batteries hitting the market. Apple’s MagSafe battery pack has all the features we’ve seen elsewhere, only this time it’s removable. Granted, Apple isn’t the only company to offer a MagSafe-compatible battery pack that takes advantage of Qi wireless charging to keep your iPhone charged when you’re on the go. Mophie, Anker, and Hyper are just a few of its competitors. Below are several MagSafe battery packs, covering a variety of prices and sizes.
Apple MagSafe battery pack, native integration comes at a cost
Capacity: 1,460mAh/ 11.13Wh | Loading port : Lightning | Power button: No
Apple’s MagSafe pack is the second smallest pack I’ve tested, although photos may make it look large. It contains two battery cells with a capacity of 11.13 Wh. Don’t expect the battery to charge your iPhone from 0 to 100. Wireless charging is very inefficient due to several factors (heat being one of them). You’re more likely to get around 60% charge on the iPhone 12 Pro, and for the most part, that’s more than enough to get you through a long day at work or travel.
At 110 euros, the MagSafe battery is the most expensive of the lot. Its tight integration can arguably justify the Apple tax. With iOS 14.7 and above, when you place the pack on a compatible iPhone, you’ll see an animation on your screen telling you how charged the pack is. It will automatically start charging your phone. The first time you attach it to your phone, you’ll also see an alert telling you that it will keep your phone at 90% to protect your battery. The built-in iOS battery widget will show the current charge level of the pack, alongside your iPhone and other accessories.
The pack is charged via a Lightning connector located under the pack. If you use a 20W adapter, you can charge the pack and the iPhone at the same time by plugging the connector into your iPhone. Your iPhone will then use reverse wireless charging to recharge the battery – this is the first time we’ve seen such a feature used by an iPhone model.
Advantages :
- Deep integration with iOS takes full advantage of the battery pack.
- The smart charging function helps to properly charge the iPhone and the battery.
- Your iPhone uses reverse wireless charging to charge the battery.
Disadvantages:
- This battery pack is the most expensive of the lot.
- It only exists in white.
The MagSafe Apple battery pack at 109 euros on Amazon
Oisle Ultra Thin MagSafe, compact and powerful
Capacity: 4,225mAh/16.26Wh | Loading port : USB-C | Power button: Yes
The Oisle Ultra Think MagSafe lives up to the first part of its name, being the smallest battery I’ve tested. Below the logo on the front of the pack is a light that makes it easy to see if the battery is on, its charge level, and if it’s charging your iPhone. It has a total capacity of 4,225 mAh (16.26 Wh), which in theory should be enough to charge an iPhone from 0-100% without issue.
On the bottom of the pack is the power button which you need to press for the pack to start charging your smartphone – something I forgot to do several times during my test. You can charge the battery pack at the same time as your iPhone, as long as you connect to the pack’s USB-C port with a fast charger. There are several colors available for you to choose from.
Advantages :
- Compact form factor.
- Several colors.
Vs :
- The small size has a price.
- It’s hard to remember to always press the power button to turn it on.
The Oisle magnetic charger at 60 euros on Amazon
Anker PowerCore Magnetic 5K, a solid and affordable choice
Capacity: 5,000mAh/18.5Wh | Charging port: USB-C | Power button: Yes
Anker’s PowerCore Magnetic 5K has a capacity of 5,000 mAh (18.5 Wh) in a fairly thick format. The Hyper battery is matched only by its size. You’ll find indicator lights to reveal the charge level, a power button, and a USB-C port on the bottom of the pack.
You can charge the battery pack and your iPhone at the same time thanks to the Pass-Through function, as I have personally tested and verified. Anker’s offering has an extra feature over the competition: it’s an external battery pack, in that you can use the USB-C port to connect the pack to another device, like your iPad, and charge it if necessary.
Advantages :
- Pass-Through support.
- It can be used to charge another device via USB-C.
Disadvantages:
- Thicker than most other battery packs.
The Anker PowerCore Magnetic 5K magnetic charger at 36 euros on Amazon
Mophie Snap Plus Juice, a versatile option
Capacity: 5,000mAh/18.5Wh | Loading port : USB-C | Power button: Yes
Mophie’s Snap Plus Juice Pack Mini is the only battery pack with a fabric front casing, which breaks away from the standard plastic look of other battery packs. It’s almost as thin as Apple’s MagSafe battery pack, but that’s only because it’s rather long. In fact, if you have an iPhone 12 Mini or 13 Mini, that battery will protrude 4.8mm from the bottom of your phone.
With a capacity of 5000 mAh (18.5 Wh), you will be able to charge your phone without any problem. What makes this pack so versatile isn’t the fact that you can charge it at the same time as your phone via the USB-C port, but that it includes a magnetic ring in the box that you can attach to others smartphones – iPhone or Android – to add the MagSafe version of Mophie to any phone.
Advantages :
- Support continuous charging.
- It can be used to charge another device via USB-C.
- Adapter included to add MagSafe function to other phones.
Disadvantages:
- A thin design that makes it very long
The Mophie snap+ juice charger at 50 euros on Amazon
Hyper Magnetic battery pack, it’s thick
Capacity: 5000mAh/18.5Wh | Charging port: USB-C | Power button: Yes
Hyper’s battery pack is only $40, but it packs a punch. With a total capacity of 5,000mAh (18Wh), it’s also the biggest of the bunch, although most packs I’ve reviewed have a similar capacity. On the front of the pack are a power button and indicator lights. I prefer the button placement on the Hyper simply because it’s easier to find and press than on the edge of the pack.
You use a USB-C cable to charge the pack, which supports pass-through charging and can double as an external battery pack to charge via a wired connection. If size isn’t a factor, the Hyper Pack is an affordable option that’s sure to get the job done.
Advantages :
- Support transfer charging.
- It can be used to charge another device via USB-C.
Disadvantages:
- This is by far the biggest battery in the group.
The Hyper Magnetic charger at 44 euros on Amazon
How quickly can a MagSafe battery pack charge an iPhone?
My tests have shown that the MagSafe Battery Pack charges a fully discharged iPhone 12 from 0-60%. Other battery packs I’ve tested go above and beyond, but not by much.
Why buy a MagSafe battery?
A removable battery makes it easy to charge the device when you need it and to dispose of the battery when you no longer need it. If you’re constantly looking for a power outlet while carrying around a wall adapter and cable, then the pack is the perfect solution.
Which MagSafe Battery Pack is Right for You?
A few factors are worth considering when looking at these MagSafe compatible battery packs. The first, and arguably the most important, is how much you want to spend. If you don’t want to go over $50, it narrows your options. From there, all you have to do is take into account the different brands and the physical size of the battery.
If you want to stay true to Apple products and use a product that the iPhone can take full advantage of, I recommend going with Apple’s MagSafe battery. However, if you just want to charge your iPhone battery on the go, the Mophie or Anker packs are worth a look.
How did we choose these MagSafe battery packs?
I started looking for Magnetic or MagSafe battery packs made for the iPhone when Apple announced its own battery pack. I received several samples from companies and spent some time testing all of the ones listed here. All packs tested on iPhone 12 Pro or iPhone 13 Pro Max. I checked charge levels and tested all advertised features except charge rate. If a pack advertised per-pass charging, for example, I tested that feature. I also evaluated the size of the packs and the impact of the size on the overall usability of the iPhone.
Source: ZDNet.com