Apple’s MagSafe Charging Defined: Qi2.2 May Make Magnetic Charging a Staple

Apple’s MagSafe was initially an unique characteristic on the 2020 iPhone 12 line, however 5 years later, the perfect components of MagSafe are actually additionally obtainable on Android phones like Google’s Pixel 10 line. That is as a result of Apple has contributed the important thing components of MagSafe into the open Qi2.2 normal, and the subsequent wave of flagship telephones may need quicker wi-fi charging and help for magnetic equipment.

The Qi2.2 wi-fi charging normal comes from the Wireless Power Consortium, whose membership consists of Apple, Google and plenty of different phone corporations that collectively construct and implement enhancements to Qi wi-fi charging.

It does not imply that Apple’s MagSafe goes away. The corporate will proceed to make use of the time period for the magnetic equipment that Apple makes or certifies from third-party accent makers. But it surely does imply that different cellphone makers will undertake the Qi2.2 normal — which is actually the identical as MagSafe — and even rebrand it. Google, for example, launched a line of PixelSnap equipment that use Qi2.2, that means they’re going to work simply positive on Pixel phones and on Apple’s iPhone.

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Even higher, these wi-fi charging equipment are cheaper now than when MagSafe debuted, with corporations equivalent to Anker and Belkin making Qi2.2 magnetic charging pads and stands that help 25-watt speeds. These quickest speeds are at present supported by the brand new iPhone 17 line, the iPhone 16  and Google’s Pixel 10 Pro XL, so long as you employ a Qi2.2 wi-fi charger with not less than a 30-watt energy adapter.

And it is not nearly charging. Apple’s MagSafe and different telephones that help Qi2 with built-in magnets permit for magnetic instances, wallets, stands, grips, and different equipment that may be shortly hooked up to the again of a cellphone. This implies an assortment of equipment created for the reason that 2020 launch of MagSafe for the iPhone now work on some Android telephones, making them extra versatile since you’ll be able to possible keep using them on your next device.

Despite the fact that MagSafe is changing into extra common by the Qi2.2 normal, there’s nonetheless so much to decipher between the brand new normal versus what is supplied with older Qi wireless charging accessories. We’ll break down these variations within the subsequent few sections.

What’s MagSafe for iPhone?

Apple’s MagSafe for iPhone normal refers to each a collection of magnets which have been put in in most new iPhone fashions since 2020 — apart from the iPhone SE and iPhone 16E — and a wi-fi charging normal that may recharge an iPhone quicker (15-25W) than the unique Qi normal (7.5W).

The MagSafe standard allows for accessories that may be hooked up to an iPhone utilizing magnets, equivalent to MagSafe cellphone instances, wallets, mounts, grips, chargers, stands and plenty of different choices.

Earlier than the launch of the Qi2 normal, Apple’s MagSafe wi-fi charger was additionally the one strategy to get quicker 15-watt wi-fi charging to work on an iPhone, with Apple citing that the magnets allowed a safe match to assist hit these speeds. In distinction to the Qi wi-fi charging on earlier iPhone fashions, which supported slower speeds and lacked the magnets to make sure the charger and cellphone had been related in essentially the most environment friendly place. Now, Qi2 chargers present the identical 15-watt speeds for earlier iPhone fashions, whereas the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 collection can hit 25 watts when used with a 30-watt adapter. When utilizing an ordinary Qi charger, the iPhone caps the speed at half that velocity, providing 7.5-watt wi-fi charging.

What’s Qi2 charging, and the way is it totally different from MagSafe?

Qi2 is an open standard that iterates on the prior Qi wi-fi charging normal whereas incorporating components of Apple’s MagSafe normal. Qi2 has each a magnetic profile for compatibility and a 25-watt wi-fi charging velocity, that means that any cellphone that helps Qi2 might probably help magnetic equipment together with quicker wi-fi charging.

The primary Android phone that natively supports Qi2 was the HMD Skyline, and Samsung adopted the charging normal for the Galaxy S25 collection (although you wanted a case to make use of magnetic equipment). Google was the primary main Android phone-maker to have each the Qi2 charging normal and magnetic profile in its new telephones: the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Professional, Pixel 10 Pro XL and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Google introduced a line of PixelSnap equipment, which is the corporate’s branded approach of describing Qi2 compatibility. The corporate even clarified that PixelSnap is totally suitable with Apple’s MagSafe equipment through the telephones’ announcement.

Telephones with out built-in magnets have a tendency to make use of the time period “Qi2 Ready” to delineate the distinction from simply having the Qi2 charging normal with out the magnetic profile. Samsung sells first-party magnetic instances for the Galaxy S25 line which have the Qi2 magnetic profile in-built, and OnePlus is selling a similar magnetic case for its OnePlus 13.

MagSafe-compatible iPhones support Qi2, that means that for those who purchase a Qi2 wi-fi charger, it ought to help not less than 15-watt wi-fi charging. The newest MagSafe charger now bought by Apple bumps that as much as 25W speeds when used with telephones that help Qi2.2 — which proper now embody the iPhone 16 line, the iPhone 17 line and the Pixel 10 Professional XL. Google’s official PixelSnap charger additionally helps Qi2.2, that means it ought to present the identical velocity.

Plus, Qi2 telephones which have magnets ought to help the plethora of magnetic equipment that had been first launched with MagSafe in thoughts, possible bringing compatibility to docks, mounts, grips and pockets equipment. A few of these Qi2 equipment are additionally barely cheaper than MagSafe-certified equipment, which require certification by Apple as a way to get the MagSafe branding.

Which MagSafe equipment can I exploit?

With the launch of Qi2, a number of several types of magnetic equipment are actually obtainable that might work together with your cellphone. This may get a bit complicated, however for those who purchase a magnetic cellphone accent and your cellphone helps both MagSafe or Qi2, it ought to connect and performance to various levels.

For those who purchase a MagSafe or Qi2-certified wi-fi charger, it is best to be capable of use it to get not less than the utmost 15-watt wi-fi charging velocity while you’ve hooked up it to your cellphone. This consists of charging docks and stands, which additionally embody MagSafe or Qi2 branding. You probably have an iPhone 16 collection, iPhone 17 collection or the Pixel 10 Professional XL, you may get quicker 25-watt charging utilizing a MagSafe charger that is related to a 30-watt or faster power adapter.

For those who purchase a magnetic wi-fi charger that doesn’t specify whether or not it is MagSafe or Qi2-certified, that possible signifies that whereas the charger will connect to your cellphone, it is going to in all probability cost on the authentic Qi normal that’s restricted to a 7.5-watt velocity when utilizing it with an iPhone. Outcomes might range when utilizing one with an Android cellphone, since some telephones do help 15-watt wi-fi charging over the prior Qi normal.

And for those who’re shopping for a noncharging magnetic accent — like a pockets or a dock for utilizing your cellphone as a webcam — that accent will possible work with any MagSafe-compatible cellphone no matter its branding. These equipment are created with the magnets contained in the cellphone in thoughts and can largely connect no matter their certification. Nonetheless, I’ve observed — in my very own private expertise — that the power of the magnets can range between accessory-makers. For those who’re shopping for a magnetic grip, for instance, check it out a bit after shopping for to verify it suits your wants such as you would a pair of footwear, and do not destroy the field in case you determine to return it. 

Which iPhones are suitable with MagSafe?

Each iPhone that is been launched since 2020 — barring the iPhone SE line and the iPhone 16E — is suitable with MagSafe and the Qi2 normal. This consists of the iPhone 12 line and later. The iPhone 11 will not be suitable with MagSafe, however it does work with the unique Qi wi-fi normal for charging. It simply will not be as quick or contain magnets.

Which Android telephones are suitable with MagSafe or Qi2 wi-fi charging?

The HMD Skyline is the primary Android cellphone to help the Qi2 wi-fi normal with magnets and has now been joined by Google’s Pixel 10 line. Outdoors of these gadgets, you’ll be able to usually add a “MagSafe-like” expertise to an Android cellphone utilizing magnetic instances that some accessory-makers create. As talked about earlier, Samsung and OnePlus are beginning to present first-party help with magnetic instances, however there are sometimes third-party choices for including magnets to telephones that help wi-fi charging.

Can I cost my Apple Watch or AirPods over MagSafe charging?

The Apple Watch doesn’t help MagSafe charging: It makes use of a unique sort of magnetic wi-fi charger to refill its battery. Apple’s AirPods are far more versatile, nonetheless, relying on the mannequin, you may be capable of recharge the battery case with both an Apple Watch charger or a MagSafe-compatible wi-fi charger. 

All AirPods Pro instances help Qi wi-fi charging utilizing a MagSafe charger or an ordinary Qi wi-fi charger. This additionally extends to the second- and third-generation normal AirPods instances. The brand new AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation and the AirPods Pro 2 each embody Qi/MagSafe wi-fi charging and may use an Apple Watch charger. The usual AirPods 4, nonetheless, lack wi-fi charging and as a substitute use solely wired USB-C charging.

What about MagSafe on Apple’s MacBook laptops?

MagSafe on Apple’s MacBook line is separate from the road of MagSafe equipment for the iPhone. These proprietary laptop computer chargers — which briefly went into retirement when the MacBook line adopted USB-C charging — connect shortly to suitable MacBook laptops utilizing a magnet and may simply detach within the occasion the wire is unintentionally pulled from the laptop computer. That is significantly appropriate for anybody who tends to journey over energy cords.

Ought to your MacBook embody each a MagSafe port and USB-C ports, you’ll be able to select both technique for recharging your laptop computer. Simply do not attempt to slap an iPhone’s MagSafe charger in opposition to the pc, as that may do nothing.