Anker Releases MagSafe-Compatible Battery Pack for iPhone 12 Lineup

Tuesday February 23, 2021 7:49 am PST by Joe Rossignol

First previewed at CES 2021, the PowerCore battery pack magnetically attaches to the back of any iPhone 12 model and provides 5W of wireless charging. With a 5,000 mAh capacity, the battery pack is capable of charging the iPhone 12 mini from 0% to 100%, the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro from 0% to around 95%, and the iPhone 12 Pro Max from 0% to 75%, according to Anker. The battery pack itself recharges via USB-C.

While the battery pack is compatible with the MagSafe system, it is not an official accessory, so charging is limited to 5W. Apple's rumored MagSafe battery pack would likely be able to charge an iPhone 12 model at up to 15W, in line with the MagSafe Charger.

Amazon is carrying the PowerCore Magnetic 5K Wireless Power Bank for $39.99, with orders placed now estimated for delivery in mid-April.

MacRumors contributor Steve Moser recently discovered code-level references to a "battery pack" in the iOS 14.5 beta, and this was followed by a report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman claiming that Apple is working on a MagSafe battery pack for iPhone 12 models. The report claimed that Apple has faced some issues with development of the accessory, however, so its release may be delayed or scrapped entirely.

(Thanks, Zach Samson!)

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Related Roundups: iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro

Tags: MagSafe Guide, Anker, MagSafe Accessories Guide

Buyer's Guide: iPhone 12 (Neutral), iPhone 12 Pro (Neutral)

Top Rated Comments

swm

4 days ago at 08:25 am

yeah, using wireless charging to waste 30-35% percent of the actual charging capacity of the battery pack.

Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)

cmaier

4 days ago at 07:51 am

A pack with a built-in-lightning cable seems like a better bet.

Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

blairh

4 days ago at 08:25 am

Seems like a really inelegant solution honestly.

Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Joe Rossignol

4 days ago at 08:04 am

Unsurprisingly there’s no image of the side profile or mention of the thickness of this.

Given the point is to provide mobile charging away from a wall outlet and even charging whilst in use, this magnetic accessory looks like an ergonomic accident waiting to happen whichever way you look at it.

It's pretty thick.

Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

AirunJae

4 days ago at 07:54 am

Anker makes good stuff, but I'd probably go with the Apple version IF I was going to get something like this due to charging speed and software integration. That said, I'm not totally sold on a wireless charging spare battery, think I'd rather have it attach magnetically but charge via cable.

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

jhoff8600

4 days ago at 09:49 am

I personally think I like this concept. the battery cases are ugly, and difficult to remove when you want your phone to be thin and light. But why on earth does it have to be so thick? Here's hoping apple follows through on this concept with a much more streamlined design. make it as thin as the phone and I'm sold.

Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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