Don’t miss out on our latest stories. Add PCMag as a preferred source on Google.
Apple unveiled its latest set of iPhones this week with promising new features, but the iPhone Air stands out with its super-slim design.
To achieve the 5.6-millimeter thickness, though, Apple had to skimp on the battery. It’s reportedly only a capacity of 3,149 mAh, the lowest in an iPhone since the iPhone 13 mini and Pro.
While Apple promises “All-day battery life” for the iPhone Air, it probably didn’t want to take any chances and has, therefore, reintroduced and re-branded the MagSafe Battery Pack.
The accessory, now called the iPhone Air MagSafe Battery, will be sold separately for $99. When attached to the back of the iPhone Air, it extends the phone’s battery life significantly. Video streaming hours, for example, go from 22 hours to 35 hours when both are fully charged.
Unfortunately, though, you won’t be able to attach the revived accessory to the regular iPhone 17 or the iPhone 17 Pro models. On its product page, as spotted by The Verge, Apple says, “The iPhone Air MagSafe Battery was created exclusively for iPhone Air,” and features just the iPhone Air on the compatibility list.
That’s a move away from the former version of the accessory. The MagSafe Battery Pack was compatible with all devices in the iPhone 12, 13, and 14 series before being discontinued in 2023.
Apple iPhone Air (Credit: Cole Kan//Apple)
As for why it’s compatible with only one iPhone, 9to5Mac says it could be because of the design. With larger, horizontally end-to-end camera bumps on the iPhone 17 Pro models and the vertical bump on the iPhone 17, it might be physically impossible to attach the accessory.
Recommended by Our Editors
There’s some good news for potential iPhone Air buyers, though. The new MagSafe Battery adds 65 percent more charge to the phone, “extending battery life further than that of any other iPhone,” Apple says. Additionally, according to 9to5Mac, since the accessory has a USB-C port, it might also be able to charge other USB-C devices with a cable. We have reached out to Apple for further clarification on this matter.
To charge the iPhone 17 Air faster, you can attach the MagSafe Battery and charge the accessory with a 20W or higher adapter. The phone, by itself, supports Qi2 wireless charging of up to 20W.
Check out our coverage for more details on the brand new iPhone Air, and stay tuned for a detailed review.
Get Our Best Stories!
A Smart, Bold Take on the Wireless World
By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!
Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!
About Jibin Joseph
Contributor
