What is MagSafe? Your Complete Guide

Ever heard of MagSafe? It should be a familiar term to Apple fans, but for the uninitiated, it refers to a type of magnetic technology. MagSafe is used to connect chargers and other accessories to smartphones, and is growing in popularity. 

Here at Ghostek, we’ve been using MagSafe tech for a while now. Let’s be honest, though, we’re nerds (proud of it, too), and if we hadn’t embraced MagSafe gadgets at the first opportunity, we wouldn’t be doing our jobs correctly. We’re accustomed to it, but we also understand that MagSafe might be something you’ve only discovered. 

So, let’s embrace our nerdiness with a deep dive into MagSafe technology. We’ll cover a brief history of it and explore various related topics. Join us! 

The Origins of MagSafe

MagSafe was developed by Apple, and originally, it wasn’t for phones at all. It was created for MacBooks, but soon jumped the evolutionary gap and was adapted for iPhones, too. It’s been included in every generation of Apple smartphone since the iPhone 12, and has proven popular with fans. 

At first, the technology was used solely for wireless charging. But no technology ever sits perfectly still, and soon, it was adapted for all manner of other accessories. Browse online, and you’ll soon find yourself swamped by MagSafe accessories such as:

• MagSafe wallets

• Car stands

• Selfie sticks

• Battery packs

• Charging stations 

How MagSafe Works

Every modern iPhone has a magnetic ring built into it. This is placed around the charging coil on the back of the device, and when you place a MagSafe-compatible charger or accessory onto it, it snaps comfortably into place. 

This has numerous advantages:

• It’s convenient: MagSafe chargers and accessories are easy to attach, and they align automatically. Your charger will always snap into the optimal position for maximum efficiency. 

• It reduces wear and tear: repeatedly plugging wired chargers into your phone can gradually damage the socket. Using a wireless charger reduces this risk and can extend the overall lifespan. 

• There’s no risk of water damage: if you accidentally get your iPhone's charging port wet, an automatic safety protocol will stop it from charging through a wired connection. MagSafe chargers bypass this, so you can refill your battery without having to wait for it to dry out. 

• It’s efficient: MagSafe chargers generate less heat than wired ones, and there’s less energy waste. 

• There aren’t any cables: this is the key selling point for MagSafe products. By using a magnetic connection, you don’t have to rely on cables. It’s tidier, and there’s no chance of experiencing that really annoying accident, where you trip over a cable and rip it out of the wall. 

And before you ask, yes, it even works through phone cases.  

Is MagSafe just for Apple iPhones?

Strictly speaking, yes. “MagSafe” is a registered trademark of Apple, so you won’t see that name used for anything but their devices. However, while you can’t get official MagSafe products for Samsung or Google phones, they do have comparable alternatives. 

This is because the underlying technology - known as Qi wireless charging - isn’t exclusive to Apple. This has led to various third-party developers creating MagSafe-compatible devices that can be used on Android smartphones. 

So, while Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones don’t have MagSafe compatibility built into them, there are workarounds. It is worth advising, however, that it isn’t as seamless as it is with Apple. The magnetic attachment can be weaker, and the power transfer isn’t as efficient. You might notice slower charging speeds, and if you’re using a magnetic stand in your car and hit a speed bump, there’s a higher risk of the phone falling off. 

Are There Any Drawbacks?

Aside from that unfortunate mental image of trying to retrieve a smartphone from the floor of your car, MagSafe sounds pretty useful, doesn’t it? Well, hold that enthusiasm for just a moment, because there are disadvantages too. 

• Slower charging speeds: When you need to charge your phone in a hurry, MagSafe is not the best option. The typical MagSafe charger provides 15W of power, which is substantially less than traditional wired ones. 

• Cost: MagSafe accessories and chargers are often more expensive than their non-magnetic counterparts. 

• Unreliability: We’ve not encountered this ourselves, but there have been reports of third-party magnetic chargers delivering a poor performance. 

• Magnetic interference: We’d recommend keeping any other everyday items that involve magnets away from your MagSafe devices, as they can interfere with them. 

We’ve been consistently satisfied with all the MagSafe products we’ve used since they debuted with the iPhone 12 series, but we’re not going to pretend they’re flawless. 

How to Find the Perfect MagSafe Cases, Wallets, and More

Despite those drawbacks, we’ve got no hesitation in recommending MagSafe products. The official Apple ones have proven to be consistently reliable, and a lot of the related Qi2 wireless chargers are decent, too. And if you want an at-a-glance guide, cast your eyes down a little:

Choose MagSafe If:

• You have an iPhone 12 or later model of any type

• You need a reliable source of power, and you can’t always guarantee access to a wall socket

• Value convenience and don’t like untangling cables

Choose a MagSafe Alternative:

• You own an Android instead of an iPhone, or

• Want to use the same magnetic charger on several types of phones 

• Would prefer to spend less money

Easy-to-Use Wireless Charging

It can be easy to think of ‘MagSafe’ as just another word for ‘wireless.’ We’re guilty of using the two terms interchangeably, but if we’re being pedantic, it’s strictly an Apple term. 

But as you can probably tell, there are plenty of magnetic charging and accessory options available for non-Apple customers. You can find a wealth of them, including cases, wallets, and others, right here at Ghostek. 

And of course, if you’re interested in keeping up to date with the latest MagSafe developments, your best bet is to check back here on the regular. Whether you want to stay on top of smartphone news or find a stylish MagSafe case, we’ve got you covered.