Apple MagSafe Archives - Gizmochina

OtterBox’s affordable MagSafe battery pack offers greater functionality

Jed John Ikoba — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 18:14:36 +0000

Although the Apple MagSafe battery pack was a great product when it was released, subsequent reviews of the device illuminated some important drawbacks. The issues are related to the capacity, connectivity, and also pricing. The observed shortcomings of the Apple MagSafe battery pack may have led to the development of several similar MagSafe battery packs from other manufacturers.

The OtterBox MagSafe battery pack is the latest device that measures up squarely against Apple’s and it seems it is standing shoulders above the Apple MagSafe battery pack on many fronts. The new battery pack for iPhones and other devices comes with a better capacity, a more affordable price, and more compatible features. The OtterBox MagSafe wireless power bank offers charging options of 5,000 mAh ($69.99) and 3,000 mAh ($49.95).

The OtterBox MagSafe power bank has double-sided magnets that allow the battery to sandwich itself between a compatible charging case and a dock, thus charging both the phone and the charging pack simultaneously. The OtterBox MagSafe pack is compatible with any iPhone or iPhone case with MagSafe charging. The USB-C port also allows the device to function as an external battery for other smartphones or similar devices. Wireless 5W Qi charging is also possible with the OtterBox MagSafe battery pack.

It however remains to be seen how an Apple-centric market will react to this cheaper but non-Apple product which could upend the dominance of the Apple MagSafe battery pack which is priced at around $99.

This $8 accessory adds MagSafe to regular Apple iPhone 12 & 13 cases

Sean — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 10:52:29 +0000

With the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 series, Apple had offered the MagSafe charging solution. While this feature is useful, most normal cases for these devices block the magnet inside the iPhones. But now, here’s an affordable accessory that turns even regular phone cases into MagSafe compatible ones.

The accessory in question is made by Anker and is basically a magnetic ring that can be attached to the back of the case. This make the MagSafe functional again on a regular phone case. This gadget is called the Anker 310 Magnetic Ring and is currently available for purchase via Amazon for a price of just 8 US Dollars. It arrives with an adhesive on one side, which you can stick to the back of the case. Although, you’ll have to use the the included alignment tool to position it properly.

After doing this, users can simply charge their iPhones with a MagSafe accessory from the case itself. Notably, Anker claims that this stick is also reusable so you can even switch out cases for another since the accessory can be removed and reattached. However, keep in mind that there is a limitation. iPhones with a thick case or one with a textured back would not be able to use MagSafe regardless of the new Anker accessory.

As per the official notes, “Phone cases that have an uneven surface or exceed 2mm in thickness, such as Otterbox defender cases, are not recommended for use.” Apart from that, an iPhone 12 and 13 series model is the basic requirements since earlier iPhone iterations do not offer in built MagSafe solution support.

Realme hints at MagDart chargers being faster and thinner than Apple MagSafe

Sean — Fri, 30 Jul 2021 11:33:28 +0000

Realme had recently announced that it would be launching its first smartphone that would support magnetic charging. But prior to its launch, the company’s CEO shared new teasers of the upcoming MagDart magnetic chargers, which states that it is faster and thinner than the Apple MagSafe chargers.

The teasers were shared Madhav Sheth, CEO of the Chinese smartphone maker on Twitter. In one of the teaser image poster, the company states that the MagDart chargers will be up to 440 percent faster in charging rates. However, the brand does not specify its reference point. Furthermore, it also teases that its new magnetic chargers will also be thinner, being “Slim as Coin, Powerful As Thunder.”

Faster and Thinner!

Can you guess in comparison to which charging tech is #realme's MagDart charger 440% faster?

RT and reply with #MagForFuture. pic.twitter.com/xaZ3xRuMMW

— Madhav Sheth (@MadhavSheth1) July 29, 2021

Notably, this is the first official confirmation from the brand regarding a thin variant of its MagDart lineup since we had first reported on the two upcoming MagDart chargers. Although, going by the 440 percent faster charging rates, we can assume that the larger and more beefier variant would be the one to offer fast charging speeds of around 66W. Realme would also be the first Android handset manufacturer to launch a commercial device with magnetic charger support. So this could be a huge milestone for the company as well.

nubia MagSafe Charger launched for ¥119 ($18)

Sudarshan Ravichandran — Tue, 13 Apr 2021 10:41:47 +0000

Chinse smartphone maker nubia has been lately releasing a wide variety of chargers for different types of products. The latest such accessory from the brand is a MagSafe charger for the Apple iPhone 12 series.

Apple reintroduced MagSafe with the launch of the iPhone 12 series late last year. All four new iPhones come with a magnetic ring on the back for MagSafe wireless charging.

Initially, there was only a single official MagSafe charger from Apple. Soon, a plethora of MagSafe chargers and accessories from third-party companies hit the market.

ZTE’s nubia has been selling normal chargers for the iPhones for a while now. The brand has now expanded its portfolio by adding a MagSafe charger for the iPhone 12 series (iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max).

The new nubia MagSafe charger costs only ¥119 ($18) in China but it comes with a caveat. Looks like it is not an MFi-certified accessory. Hence, despite supporting 15W output, it can charge the iPhone 12 series only at 7.5W.

However, other smartphones with 15W Qi wireless charging support can make use of the product’s maximum capacity. As far as inputs are concerned, the accessory supports the following input rates – 5V/2A, 9V/2A, and 12V/2A.

Further, it is a mere 8mm thin and is compatible with magnetic case-equipped iPhone 12 models. It has all the safety measures like over-current protection, over-voltage protection, over-temperature protection, short circuit protection, power protection, under-voltage protection, over-charge protection, magnetic field protection, and foreign object detection.

Last but not least, the charger comes in a single white color option with a 1.5m cable.

The post nubia MagSafe Charger launched for ¥119 ($18) appeared first on Gizmochina.

Apple prepping a MagSafe ‘Battery Pack’ for the iPhones: Report

Balaji S — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 16:17:09 +0000

Apple brought back the MagSafe with the iPhone 12 series last year. It then launched MagSafe Duo that charges iPhone and Apple Watch simultaneously. The company is also expected to bring this tech to the Macbooks soon. Now, a report by Bloomberg says that Apple is working on a MagSafe Battery pack.

Rep. Image: MagSafe Duo Charger Credit: Apple

According to the report, Apple is working on a battery pack that can be magnetically attached to the iPhone externally. For the unware, MagSafe is a proprietary standard that Apple uses on chargers to juice up the iPhones wirelessly through a magnetically-attached accessory.

These connectors have also paved the way for other accessories like MagSafe Leather sleeves with attachable wallets. Anyway, the Battery Pack has reportedly been in the works for at least a year which poses doubts on our minds if it will indeed launch.

That said, the reason for the delay seems to be caused by software issues, compatibility & usability when using a case, and more. Speaking of which, this Battery pack wouldn’t serve as a protective case but essentially provide the extra juice for the device.

There are chances that the exterior of the Battery pack could have Leather textures for extra durability. Apple’s MagSafe has had its fair share of issues and there are instances where it could even hinder implanted pacemakers of patients.

Anyway, evidence for the ‘Battery Pack’ have also been found on the recent iOS 14.5 Beta 2. Whether or not Apple brings it to the stores, it does look like a nifty little addition especially for devices like iPhone 12 Mini with a teeny-tiny battery.

Apart from the already selling MagSafe accessories, the Cupertino giant is also expected to add in-car attachments to the tally of the MagSafe products. Meanwhile, Apple is reportedly holding an event next month, i.e., March 16 to launch products like AirTags, iPad Pro 2021.