Why Is Apple Bringing Back This Old MacBook Pro Feature?

Apple is expected to bring back the MagSafe connector on this year's redesigned MacBook Pro models to facilitate a number of useful features, including faster charging speeds, according to recent reports.

MagSafe 2021 MacBook Pro Mockup Feature
‌‌MagSafe‌‌‌ first debuted in January 2006 when Apple launched the first-ever MacBook Pro. The ‌‌‌MagSafe‌‌‌ port featured a rectangular design with five holes, which corresponded to an accompanying connector with magnets. In 2016, with the introduction of the USB-C MacBook Pro models, Apple began discontinuing ‌‌‌MagSafe‌‌, and the last machine with ‌‌‌MagSafe‌‌‌, the 2017 MacBook Air, was discontinued by Apple in July 2019.

Reliable sources such as Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman have said that Apple will bring back the ‌MagSafe‌ charging port on redesigned MacBook Pro models later this year.

Gurman explained that the returned ‌‌MagSafe‌‌ charging will include a similar design to the previous incarnation of ‌‌MagSafe‌‌ on MacBooks. Two USB-C ports are expected to remain on the left of the MacBook Pro, next to the ‌‌MagSafe‌‌ connector.

The return of the charging port would restore its original main selling point, which was easy connection and disconnection using magnets. The simple idea behind ‌‌MagSafe‌‌ was that if tugged on, the charger would detach quickly and smoothly without causing damage to the ‌port or dragging the MacBook Pro.

Better still, charging was easier than with USB-C because there was no need to align and insert a connector deeply into a port thanks to its shallowness and use of magnets. As well as these simple, practical features, ‌MagSafe‌ on the MacBook Pro is also expected to deliver even faster charging speeds, according to Gurman.

The return of ‌MagSafe‌ is in line with the other significant design changes coming to this year's MacBook Pro models, where Apple appears to be backtracking in a number of areas. The 2021 MacBook Pro models are expected to remove the Touch Bar in favor of physical function keys and add more ports, including HDMI and an SD card reader, in a clear return to the older features and principles of the popular laptop. Restoration of the ‌‌MagSafe‌‌ connector, which has been absent on new MacBook Pro models since 2015, appears to be another of these unexpected reversals.

The new MacBook Pro models are expected to come in 14 and 16-inch sizes and feature new designs, mini-LED displays, improved cooling, and more powerful Apple silicon chips with up to 10 cores. The updated MacBook Pros could arrive as WWDC on June 7, according to some reports.

For more information about ‌‌MagSafe‌‌, see our "Look Back at Apple's Original Magnetic Charging Technology."

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro 14 & 16"
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

Popular Stories

iOS 17 on Phone Feature

Gurman: iOS 17 to Provide Several 'Most Requested Features'

Sunday March 26, 2023 6:05 am PDT by
Apple changed the strategy for iOS 17 later in its development process to add several new features, suggesting that the update may be more significant than previously thought, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports. In January, Gurman said that iOS 17 could be a less significant update than iPhone updates in previous years due to the company's intense focus on its long-awaited mixed-reality...
dynamic island

iPhone 15 Dynamic Island to Include New Integrated Proximity Sensor

Friday March 24, 2023 12:27 am PDT by
This year, all iPhone 15 models will include Apple's Dynamic Island that unifies the pill and hole cutouts at the top of the display, but there will also be a material change to the feature that wasn't included in the iPhone 14 Pro models. According to a new tweet by Apple industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the proximity sensor on the iPhone 15 series will be integrated inside the Dynamic Island ...
top stories 25mar2023

Top Stories: iPhone 15 Pro Design Leak, iOS 16.4 Coming Soon, and More

Saturday March 25, 2023 6:00 am PDT by
We're still almost six months away from the official unveiling of the iPhone 15 lineup, but it seems like every day we're learning more about what to expect from the next-generation models. Notably, this week gave us our clearest look yet at what appear to be some changes for the volume and mute control hardware. iOS 16.4 and associated releases are also right around the corner with some new ...
Hero0009

Best Apple Deals of the Week: Samsung's Smart Monitor M8 Gets Massive $250 Discount, Along With Year's Best AirPods Prices

Friday March 24, 2023 10:23 am PDT by
We saw a lot of great deals on Apple products and related accessories this week, including Samsung's iMac-like Smart Monitor M8 for $250 off, a 30 percent off spring sale at Anker, and the year's best prices on numerous AirPods models. All of these deals are still available to purchase right now, so we're recapping them and more below. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these ...
Steve Jobs Theater dusk

Apple Reportedly Demoed Mixed-Reality Headset to Executives in the Steve Jobs Theater Last Week

Sunday March 26, 2023 5:53 am PDT by
Apple showcased its mixed-reality headset to the company's top 100 executives in the Steve Jobs Theater last week, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman explained that the "momentous gathering" is a "key milestone" ahead of the headset's public announcement planned for June. The event was intended to rally Apple's top members of...
apple mixed reality headset concept by david lewis and marcus kane

Some Apple Employees Seriously Concerned About Mixed-Reality Headset as Announcement Draws Closer

Sunday March 26, 2023 8:25 am PDT by
Some Apple employees are concerned about the usefulness and price point of the company's upcoming mixed-reality headset, The New York Times reports. Apple headset concept by David Lewis and Marcus Kane Initial enthusiasm around the device at the company has apparently become skepticism, according to eight current and former Apple employees speaking to The New York Times. The change of tone...
iphone 14 pro max deep purple feature purple

iPhone 15 Pro Rumor Recap: 10 New Features and Changes to Expect

Thursday March 23, 2023 6:42 am PDT by
While the iPhone 15 series is still around six months away from launching, there have already been plenty of rumors about the devices. Many new features and changes have been rumored for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max in particular. Below, we have recapped 10 changes rumored for iPhone 15 Pro models that are not expected to be available on the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus:A1...
iOS 16

iOS 16.4 Will Add These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Sunday March 26, 2023 8:06 am PDT by
Following nearly six weeks of beta testing, iOS 16.4 is expected to be released to the public as soon as this week. The software update includes a handful of new features and changes for the iPhone 8 and newer. To install an iOS update, open the Settings app on the iPhone, tap General → Software Update, and follow the on-screen instructions. Below, we have recapped eight new features and...