Since the iPhone 8, Apple’s smartphones have mastered wireless charging. Initially they met the Qi industry standard, and with the iPhone 12 Apple’s MagSafe was added. Magnets guide the phone to the right place so that the coils of the iPhone and charger lie optimally on top of each other. Secondly, the magnets also ensure a secure hold so that the charging process is not accidentally interrupted and the iPhone can be in an upright position without falling down. For iPhones without MagSafe, there are special cases or stickers that retrofit the adhesion with their own magnets.
- All candidates reliably refueled their iPhone, Watch and AirPods.
- There were differences in speed, charging power and working noise.
- All models came with a cable, but not all had a power supply.
While Qi has to make do with a maximum charging power of 7.5 watts, the first MagSafe usually managed up to 15 watts. For several years there have also been devices with the Qi2 standard, which has the advantages of MagSafe such as a magnetic holder and high charging performance, but is also compatible with devices from other manufacturers. MagSafe iPhones can be charged on stations with Qi1 or Qi2, and conversely, MagSafe chargers also charge smartphones or other devices with Qi, but not always with maximum power. Since the iPhone 16, the devices (except for the models with “e”) can tolerate an inductive power consumption of up to 25 watts.
Convenience features of licensed MagSafe products include the circular charging animation when contact is made. With other devices, only a small charge level indicator signals refueling – which is basically enough, because a tone always sounds when charging starts (unless you have turned it off). Many of the inexpensive stations are advertised by the manufacturers as “compatible with MagSafe”: They often hold an iPhone with magnets, but only charge it via Qi1 and 7.5 watts. The highest charging power was always only achieved for part of the period.
That was the reading sample of our heise Plus article “Inductive triple charging stations in the test: power for iPhone, Watch and AirPods”. With a heise Plus subscription you can read the entire article.
