Hands-On With Apple's MagSafe Charger for iPhone 12

Alongside the new iPhone 12 models, Apple introduced a MagSafe charger that attaches to the back of the iPhones using magnets embedded both in the charger and in the ‌iPhone‌. It allows for speedier charging and paves the way for a portless ‌iPhone‌ in the future. ‌MagSafe‌ chargers are shipping out and are in some Apple retail locations now, and we picked one up to check it out.


‌MagSafe‌ isn't a new word for Apple -- it's what the magnetic MacBook chargers used to be called before Apple swapped over to USB-C. ‌MagSafe‌ in its current incarnation is totally different from the original ‌MagSafe‌ chargers, but the common theme is the magnetic connection.

The puck-shaped ‌MagSafe‌ charger looks like a larger Apple Watch charging puck, featuring a circular design with a cord at one end that plugs into a power adapter. The charger is designed to snap on to a ring of magnets built into the ‌iPhone‌ 12 and 12 Pro, for a perfect alignment without any hassle.

magsafe1
When you order a ‌MagSafe‌ charger from Apple for $39, you get just the charger, which has a cord with a USB-C connector at the end. It needs to be paired with a USB-C power adapter, and Apple recommends its $19 20W USB-C option. The cord attached to the ‌MagSafe‌ charger is non-removable, and the charger itself is made from aluminum, but the front middle section has a grippy, rubber-like feel to it.

magsafe2
Apple's ‌MagSafe‌ chargers line up right with the charging coil inside the ‌iPhone‌ 12 models, and can provide up to 15W of power. That's double the charging speed you're able to get with the 7.5W Qi wireless chargers, which makes this a much more appealing wireless charging option.

magsafemain
If you're wondering if the ‌MagSafe‌ charger works with older iPhones, the answer is yes. It is compatible with all iPhones that support wireless charging, which includes the ‌iPhone‌ 8 and later. When used with an ‌iPhone‌ 12, the charger snaps onto the back of the device with what appears to be a strong magnetic connection, but the older iPhones don't have that same magnetic ring so it the ‌MagSafe‌ charger can't connect in the same way.

We don't have an ‌iPhone‌ 12 model on hand yet to see the actual difference between the magnetic connection of one of the new models and an existing ‌iPhone‌, but just based on the marketing materials Apple has released, that magnetic ring in the ‌iPhone‌ is an important factor when it comes to the strength of the connection.

magsafeotterbox
Even using a MagSafe-compatible ‌iPhone‌ 12 case from OtterBox results in a connection that's not super strong, and it appears that OtterBox, at least, has just stuck a couple of magnets in a little insert in the case to add ‌MagSafe‌ functionality. Presumably, the ‌MagSafe‌ ring built into the ‌iPhone‌ 12 models makes the connection between ‌MagSafe‌ charger and ‌iPhone‌ much stronger, and Apple's own cases may also be more magnetic.

insidemagsafeotterbox
While the ‌iPhone‌ 12 models can charge at 15W using the ‌MagSafe‌ charger, it's not yet quite clear how fast it can charge older iPhones, so there may be some speed limitations involved when using it with non-iPhone 12 models. As mentioned before, there's no strong magnetic adhesion, so the non-iPhone 12 models just rest on the charger like your basic Qi charger.

The ‌MagSafe‌ charger is also able to charge Qi-based Android phones as well as the AirPods, but unsurprisingly, it is not compatible with the Apple Watch.

We'll have an ‌iPhone‌ 12 and 12 Pro on Friday to test out with the ‌MagSafe‌ charger, so make sure to tune in to MacRumors later in the week to see our ‌iPhone‌ 12 hands-on with more detail on using the ‌MagSafe‌ charger with an ‌iPhone‌ that has the built-in magnetic ring.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro to Reverse iPhone X Design Decision

Monday July 7, 2025 9:46 am PDT by
Since the iPhone X in 2017, all of Apple's highest-end iPhone models have featured either stainless steel or titanium frames, but it has now been rumored that this design decision will be coming to an end with the iPhone 17 Pro models later this year. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo today, the account Instant Digital said that the iPhone 17 Pro models will have an aluminum...
iphone 16 pro models 1

Here's How the iPhone 17 Pro Max Will Compare to the iPhone 17 Pro

Saturday July 5, 2025 1:00 pm PDT by
Apple should unveil the iPhone 17 series in September, and there might be one bigger difference between the Pro and Pro Max models this year. As always, the Pro Max model will be larger than the Pro model:iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3-inch display iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9-inch displayGiven the Pro Max is physically larger than the Pro, it has more internal space, allowing for a larger battery and...
imac video apple feature

Apple Launching These 15+ Products Later This Year

Sunday July 6, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
The calendar has turned to July, meaning that 2025 is now more than half over. And while the summer months are often quiet for Apple, the company still has more than a dozen products coming later this year, according to rumors. Below, we have outlined at least 15 new Apple products that are expected to launch later this year, along with key rumored features for each. iPhone 17 Series iPho...
iOS 26 Feature

Everything New in iOS 26 Beta 3

Monday July 7, 2025 1:20 pm PDT by
Apple is continuing to refine and update iOS 26, and beta three features smaller changes than we saw in beta 2, plus further tweaks to the Liquid Glass design. Apple is gearing up for the next phase of beta testing, and the company has promised that a public beta is set to come out in July. Transparency In some apps like Apple Music, Podcasts, and the App Store, Apple has toned down the...
iPhone Car Key Kia

Here's Which Vehicles Offer iPhone Car Keys

Sunday July 6, 2025 3:03 pm PDT by
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further. Apple has a web page with a list of vehicle models that ...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Friday July 4, 2025 1:05 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are just over two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:Apple logo repositioned: Apple's logo may have a lower position on the back of the iPhone 17 Pro models, compared to previous...
iphone 17 pro render majin bu

New iPhone 17 Pro Renders Highlight Apple Logo and MagSafe Design Changes

Sunday July 6, 2025 8:43 pm PDT by
New renders today provide the best look yet relocated Apple logo and redesigned MagSafe magnet array of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Image via Majin Bu. Several of the design changes coming to the iPhone 17 Pro model have been rumored for some time, such as the elongated camera bump that spans the full width of the device, with the LiDAR Scanner and flash moving to the right side. ...
iPhone 14 Pro Dynamic Island

iPhone 17 Models Rumored to Feature Redesigned Dynamic Island

Monday July 7, 2025 7:38 am PDT by
iPhone 17 models will feature a redesigned Dynamic Island user interface, according to a post today from Digital Chat Station, an account with more than three million followers on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The account has accurately leaked some information regarding future Apple products in the past. The account did not share any specific details about the alleged changes that are ...
Prime Day 25 Feature Warm Triad

The Best Prime Day Deals on AirPods, iPads, MacBooks, and More

Monday July 7, 2025 10:55 am PDT by
Amazon Prime Day is currently in its second day, and this year the event will last for four days from July 8-11, the longest Prime Day yet. As it does every year, Prime Day offers shoppers a huge selection of deals across Amazon's storefront. With the event now underway, we're tracking numerous all-time low prices on Apple gear right now. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon....

Top Rated Comments

jimbobb24 Avatar
62 months ago
No wall connector in a $39 wireless charger.

Also - its important to point out the hypocrisy of apple ditching wall chargers ”for the environment” and then pushing the inefficient wireless charging which results in power loss and therefore more power needed to charge the device. Wireless charging is “bad for the environment” by Apples logic.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
scottish Avatar
62 months ago
I’ve taken a couple of photos to show how raised the pad is.





Edit: adding in photo comparing overall depth of charger to the Apple Watch charger



Attachment Image

Attachment Image

Attachment Image
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gmanjeff Avatar
62 months ago

How would they possibly own all these existing 20W USB-C blocks?

The “30 existing USB blocks” that vast majority of people own won’t work with MagSafe. You fail to remember that USB-A is what Apple has included with devices over the last 10+ years. But now they are literally forcing them to buy a USB-C charger if they want to use this new MagSafe charger.

In fact, MagSafe won’t even work with the 18W USB-C chargers that came with the newer iPad Pros and iPhone 11 Pros! Considering how MagSafe caps at 15W of wireless charging, this makes absolutely no sense, other than prompting customers to spend another $19 on a 20W adapter.
I received my new MagSafe charger today and can confirm that it works with the 18W USB-C block included with the iPhone 11 Pro. In addition, I just got off the phone with a guy from Apple Support and he confirmed that the same 18W block can maximize new MagSafe wireless charging (up to 15W) on iPhone 12s. No need to get new 20W adapter.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ewrapple Avatar
62 months ago
Please also test the 18W charger to see if you are able to achieve 15W wireless charging.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
talisto Avatar
62 months ago
Hopefully 3rd-parties will start making cases for iphone 8 to 11 with magnets in them so that the magsafe chargers will latch onto older phones as well.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sniffies Avatar
62 months ago
That’s why I try to avoid third-party products as much as possible

They will never be Apple quality
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)