This 59 Anker MagSafe charger offers something Apple’s doesn’t
Review: Anker‘s 622 MagSafe wireless charger is cheaper than Apple’s and even has a kickstand for your viewing pleasure.
Christina Darby is an associate editor based in New York City with interests in lifestyle technology, fitness and health wearables, and Smart home appliances. She has a bachelor’s in Integrated Marketing Communication and Journalism from Wake Forest.
Christina Darby is an associate editor based in New York City with interests in lifestyle technology, fitness and health wearables, and Smart home appliances. She has a bachelor’s in Integrated Marketing Communication and Journalism from Wake Forest.
Anker 622 MagSafe Charger
pros and cons
- Well-priced, especially when compared to Apple’s charger
- Foldable kickstand is good for multi-tasking
- Lightweight and easy to hold while on the go
- Can charge your device while the charger itself is charging
- Not ideal for a “fast charge”
- The charger itself takes a while to top up
- Either have to purchase a MagSafe case or take your current case off to use
- Not compatible with the iPhone 12 or 13 mini
Ever since Apple introduced MagSafe, wireless charging on iPhones has never been the same. With a quick snap on the back, all your battery anxiety vanishes.
As someone who has always had a curiosity for portable wireless chargers, and has an iPhone that magically drops to 50% by lunchtime, Anker‘s new 622 MagSafe battery bank couldn’t have come at a better time.
Besides being able to top up an iPhone completely, the MagSafe-compatible charger also has a foldable kickstand to prop up your phone. You know, for those times when you’re low on battery but need to FaceTime your family before work or binging the latest season of the Bachelorette? Just me? Okay.
I’ve been testing the latest charger, running errands in the busy streets of NYC, and putting the 59 accessory to the ultimate endurance test. Here’s an account of my overall experience and why I think it’s a no-brainer if you’re an iPhone user, too.
Specifications
iPhone 12 or later (except for the mini), MagSafe-compatible Airpods and cases
Designed with portability in mind
One of my favorite aspects of the Anker MagSafe charger is its sleekness; it’s not bulky or flooding with extra cables that I have to keep track of. While it comes with a USB-C cable, I haven’t had the need to use it since the wireless charging is reliable enough. The charger takes up a good portion of the back of my iPhone but is compact enough that it just feels like I have a bulkier case on, and not some electronic brick. Even during my commutes to work, when most of the on-the-go charging is done, I’ve felt comfortable enough having the duo in hand or in my
That said, I was also impressed by the strength of the MagSafe magnet. The charger just snaps onto the back of my phone and never gives. That is unless you drop your device from, say, desk height, or forcibly detach the two.
I will say that to test the charger I did have to get a MagSafe case as it was not compatible with my original iPhone 12 Pro case. So, if you’re not already using a MagSafe-certified case, it will be Smart to invest in one.- for charging and protection’s sake. If you’re a risk-taker, you can also pair a careless iPhone with the Anker charger, as long as it’s an iPhone 12 or older and not a mini model. Note that the MagSafe charger won’t protect your phone from bumps and cracks and is not a substitute for a case.
Multi-faceted for multi-taskers
Here’s where I think Anker’s product truly separates itself from Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack : the foldable kickstand. On the outside of the charger is a flappy, foldable kickstand that creates a triangular base. In this mode, you can either set the iPhone in portrait orientation or landscape, for scrolling or watching videos.
I’ve been using the kickstand as a way to charge my phone while watching videos as I get ready for work in the morning. It was also useful when I needed to FaceTime my family while booking holiday flights and my iPhone was low on battery. I’ve even propped my iPhone up next to me while working, in case of an important notification, email, or message.
What I really appreciated about the kickstand feature was that it was seamlessly integrated and convenient to use. That is, it didn’t feel like an “add-on” Anker integrated last-minute to make its product more distinguished. You can say that the kickstand was designed to meet the practicality and reality of most situations in which your phone battery drains, from Facetiming, video streaming, or just scrolling through endless slides of news and posts.
Another design feature that contributes to the user-friendly and practical nature of the Anker charger is the four lights that indicate the battery level, so you’re never blindsided if the charger gives out on you. Naturally, the fewer lights that blink, the less battery the charger has.
Charging time and battery life
As with most portable charging devices, you still have to charge the battery pack itself. I find it takes a few hours.- about six.- to fully top up the unit. As for the actual battery life, it all depends on how often and what you’re charging. From my experience with the iPhone 12 Pro, the Anker 622 has been able to last about two and a half days before needing to be recharged.
Still, the brick is by no means a “fast charger” or going to increase your phone battery life significantly over a few minutes. For my morning routine, which involved checking maps and messages, and listening to a podcast, the Anker charger was sufficient enough to maintain my existing battery level. So, by the time I get to the office, I usually have about 88-91% battery instead of already creeping down into the 70s or 60s.
Bottom line
If you’re in the market for a solid portable charger that’s not too bulky, will free you up of any charging cables, and doubles as a kickstand, the Anker 622 is your best bet. Your iPhone won’t charge as fast as it would when plugged into a Lightning cable, but the convenience factor alone may sell you on the MagSafe accessory.
Alternatives to consider
Besides the Anker 622 MagSafe charger, these are the best alternatives to also consider.
Apple MagSafge Battery Pack
Though more expensive, Apple’s MagSafe case is slightly lighter and thinner than Anker‘s and is compatible with the iPhone 12 and 13 mini. It doesn’t have a kickstand, but it does have a reliable, magnetic snap, giving your iPhone plenty of support and up to 60% more battery.
Belkin Magnetic Wireless Power Bank
This 39 option from Belkin is perfect for MagSafe-compatible iPhones, old and new. While it, too, does not have a kickstand, the charger is compact and reliable enough for users on the go.
Mophie Snap charger
This Mophie charger has a 5,000mAh battery and a sleek design. But for only 49.99, you can double up on your iPhone’s battery for less than Anker’s or Apple’s offerings.
What is MagSafe Apple’s wireless charging technology?
Apple first introduced its MagSafe charging on its Intel MacBook computers but has since adapted the technology and now includes it on its latest MacBook laptops once again and of course across its iPhone range of devices. Providing an easy-to-use wireless charging system together with a wider variety of different accessories such as wallets, battery packs and more. All of which use the magnetic attachment system to great effect.
Quick Links:
Apple’s MagSafe technology has become an integral part of the brand’s identity, marking a significant milestone in the realm of wireless charging and peripheral connectivity. MagSafe has revolutionized how Apple iPhone users users connect and charge their devices, in this quick guide will take you through how the technology works.
What is Apple MagSafe?
MagSafe is a proprietary technology developed by Apple. The term combines “magnet” and “safe”, illustrating the core components of the technology: magnetic attraction and user safety. The original iteration of MagSafe was introduced in Apple’s MacBook line in 2006. It featured a power adapter that connected to the laptop magnetically, providing a secure connection that could be easily and safely detached if the cord was inadvertently tugged or pulled.
From personal experience the magnetic connection cable has saved my MacBook from being pulled from my desk, couch and tables many times, when people have accidentally tripped over the cable. But thankfully the cable has released from the laptop thanks to its magnetic connection. It always seemed a strange move by Apple to remove the MagSafe magnetic charging cables from MacBooks and replace it with a USB-C connection, but thankfully they have now been reinstated complete with plenty of USB-C connections.
Apple MagSafe for iPhones
In 2020, Apple unveiled a new version of MagSafe alongside the iPhone 12 series, marking a significant shift in wireless charging and accessory connectivity for smartphones. This version of MagSafe involves a system of magnets embedded around a central charging coil. These magnets allow for easy alignment and attachment of various accessories, such as cases, chargers, and wallets, to the back of the iPhone.
The reimagined MagSafe offers a fantastically wireless charging experience although sometimes slower than using a cable wireless charging speeds are becoming faster and MagSafe offers faster charging speeds than traditional wireless chargers. The system also opens up possibilities for a range of magnetic accessories designed for convenience such as magnetic wallets that can attached to the outside of your phone.
MagSafe Returns to MacBooks
Acknowledging the utility and popularity of the magnetic connection, Apple reintroduced the MagSafe charging port to its MacBook line. This latest iteration of MagSafe 3 (pictured above) in MacBooks blends the benefits of both worlds, offering the safety and convenience of a magnetic connection, along with the efficiency of high-speed charging.
Global Standards for Wireless Charging Technology
Wireless charging technologies, like Apple’s MagSafe, follow global standards to ensure safety, compatibility, and efficiency. These standards are established and maintained by the Wireless Power Consortium, an international group dedicated to developing and promoting wide-scale adoption of Qi wireless charging technology, the most widely used standard.
The Future of Apple MagSafe
The future of MagSafe looks promising as Apple continues to innovate and expand its range of MagSafe-compatible accessories. From charging docks to wallet attachments, MagSafe has the potential to redefine the accessory ecosystem for Apple devices, providing users with a more integrated and seamless experience. If you would like to learn more about wireless charging technology and how it will be used to charge electronic devices in the future without the need for cables jump over to our previous article exploring exactly what wireless charging is and how it works.
What Is MagSafe for iPhone, and What Can It Do?
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Tim Brookes
@timbrookes
MagSafe lets an iPhone magnetically connect to a charger and charge wirelessly as well as connect to a variety of accessories. MagSafe ensures ideal alignment between the iPhone and the charging pad, and allows for iPhones to wireless charge at 15 watts. MagSafe also allows iPhones to connect to various accessories, like special MagSafe cases or phone mounts.
With the arrival of the iPhone 12 came a new ecosystem of accessories for Apple smartphones. MagSafe makes it easier to wirelessly charge an iPhone, attach cases, and use a wide variety of other accessories. Here’s why it’s a major step forward for the iPhone.
A New MagSafe
If you’re scratching your head thinking you’ve heard “MagSafe” before, you’re right. Apple previously used the name for its MacBook chargers prior to switching to USB-C.
Back then, MagSafe wasn’t a wireless technology. It was designed to easily snap on and off, allowing you to easily connect a charger to your MacBook even in the dark. The upshot of having the charger secured by a magnet meant that accidents were much less likely to result in a broken laptop.
MagSafe for iPhone is a bit different. It’s a fully wireless charging standard, but it’s not just for charging. Most excitingly, it paves the way forward for an iPhone that doesn’t need a Lightning port. That means better waterproofing and more room inside the chassis for other things, like a larger battery.
MagSafe’s wireless charging and accessory functionality was available on the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max at launch. It’s now also included on the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max. It will likely be included in future iPhones, too.
Wireless Charging Takes Center Stage
Apple first introduced wireless charging alongside the iPhone 8, but until now this has capped out at 7.5w. MagSafe doubles the throughput to 15w, bringing the iPhone in-line with most other fast-charging Android devices.
But there’s a catch. For an iPhone that uses MagSafe to reach those speeds, you’ll need to use an Apple-approved charge. You’ll be limited to the old 7.5w speed if you use any old “off-brand” Qi charger. This gives Apple greater control over the MagSafe ecosystem, a concept that most iPhone users are familiar with by now.
But MagSafe isn’t just about speed, it’s also about ease of use. One of the biggest problems with wireless charging is finding the “sweet spot” where the charger and device close the circuit. This is something you’ll be familiar with if you’ve ever put your smartphone on a wireless charging pad and returned 30 minutes later to see that it hasn’t charged at all.
MagSafe aims to solve this issue by snapping the charger into place on the back of the iPhone. This creates a perfect circuit every time, with enough magnetic force to keep the iPhone and charger firmly in place. Belkin’s new three-in-one MagSafe wireless charger for iPhone, Apple Watch, and Airpods demonstrates this by showing the charger holding the iPhone 12 at a 45-degree angle.
The first approved MagSafe charger is Apple’s own basic 39 offering, with the company planning on introducing a travel-friendly MagSafe Duo that charges both your Apple Watch and iPhone. Both Belkin and Griffin will have their own third-party accessories available soon, and more manufacturers will undoubtedly jump on-board as device availability improves.
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Big News for Cases
In addition to a wireless charger and snap-on wallet, two first-party cases were announced for each variant of iPhone 12 alongside the MagSafe reboot. A clear plastic case and a solid color silicon case with MagSafe will get the magnet treatment in what could be a major shake-up to the way we apply and remove cases from our iPhones. Apple also teased a leather case in its presentation.
Most cases have a lip to keep the case in place while in use. This stops your iPhone from falling out, but it can make removing a case difficult. Not only does popping an iPhone out of a tough plastic case require some force, it often deforms and warps the case with each application. It really should be easier to switch cases, clean your phone, or just enjoy a case-free iPhone, right?
Enter MagSafe. With a magnetic grip keeping your iPhone in place, there’s no need for a lip anymore. That’s the design philosophy embraced by Apple with the arrival of the clear plastic and colored silicon Apple-branded cases that are launching alongside the iPhone 12 as well as a third-party magnetic case from Pitaka.
The clear plastic case looks particularly dashing with its MagSafe magnetic ring on display. Cases are designed with accessories in mind, which means you should be able to snap any MagSafe-compliant accessory directly to the phone or to a MagSafe-compliant case.
It remains to be seen how the new MagSafe cases handle being dropped. Since many rugged cases use lips to protect the outer edges of the iPhone’s screen, you might find yourself in need of the new Ceramic Shield drop protection built into the iPhone 12 family, which promises four times better resistance against impacts.
Of course, there will still be regular “dumb” cases for sale long into the future. Some might incorporate MagSafe for better charging performance while still relying on the added protection that a lip affords.
A New Ecosystem of Accessories
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of MagSafe is the accessories that have yet to be announced. With support for up to 15w power delivery, accessory identification via NFC, and a magnetometer built into every iPhone going forward, it remains to be seen what Apple and third-party manufacturers have in store.
PopSocket, which makes wildly popular stick-on smartphone grips, has already announced plans to embrace MagSafe. The success of such a product surely depends on how strong the magnet connection between the device and the accessory is, so it will be interesting to see what the company comes up with.
MagSafe is more than just a charging method, but battery cases and snap-on battery packs could become a reality. This would provide an easy way to vastly increase your iPhone’s power capacity simply by snapping an accessory onto its back.
It’s not clear whether MagSafe has any overhead for data transfer in its initial form, although it’s possible Apple could use MagSafe to “handshake” with devices to enable fast wireless data transfer. This could see the arrival of MagSafe drives (just as we have Lightning-USB combination drives today) for backup and data transfer.
What about audiovisual accessories like lenses and microphones or audio interfaces? Apple was granted a patent for what can be loosely described as “MagSafe lenses” in 2014. Could companies like Square and PayPal use MagSafe for their card readers too? Time will tell, but Apple certainly seems to be steering us toward a wireless future.
“Magnets, How Do They Work?”
One issue that’s been raised by Apple’s decision to put magnets in your with the iPhone 12 is the possibility of damage to items like credit cards and hotel room keys. While this is a real possibility, Apple says that the MagSafe wallet won’t cause any more damage to these items than your smartphone normally would.
Apple does this with shielding that’s built into the wallet, so it’s possible that a bare MagSafe connector could still cause issues. For now, it’s best to put items with sensitive magnetic stripes (like gift cards and hotel keys) in another Most credit cards are resistant to magnetic interference—and, if you use a chip or contactless payments, then you have nothing to worry about.
MagSafe wasn’t the only big change that carried with the iPhone 12. Learn more about Apple’s implementation of 5G in its latest smartphones.
What is MagSafe? Understanding Apple’s wireless charging technology
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- MagSafe is a wireless charging technology found in recent iPhone models starting with the iPhone 12.
- It uses magnets to ensure the charger and phone perfectly align for a top charging speed of 15 watts.
- MagSafe only magnetically connects to MagSafe accessories, so other devices won’t snap to the back of your iPhone.
Apple introduced MagSafe in October 2020, promising fast and convenient wireless charging that was a better alternative to ubiquitous Qi charging systems. Here is everything you need to know about MagSafe.
What is a MagSafe charger?
MagSafe is a wireless charging technology that Apple debuted with the iPhone 12, and it’s directly compatible with the iPhone 12 series and subsequent iPhone models. It’s a form of induction charging that can deliver fast 15 watt charging, about twice that of phones with traditional Qi wireless charging.
Like Qi, MagSafe uses inductive charging — coils on both the charger and phone line up and transfer electrical energy wirelessly over very short distances. But MagSafe uses a series of magnets to precisely align the coils, allowing them to perfectly match every time and charge at a higher wattage (up to 15 watts, depending on the phone and charger) than other wireless charging tech.
The magnets have other applications as well — you can easily affix MagSafe accessories to your iPhone, such as cases and wallets, which stay firmly attached to the phone via the MagSafe magnets.
How does a MagSafe charger work?
Thanks to the series of magnets around the charging coil in the back of your iPhone, MagSafe accessories like chargers automatically snap into perfect alignment, so the system works automatically. Apple designed the MagSafe charger standard so that only certified MagSafe chargers and accessories will magnetically attach to the MagSafe surface on the back of an iPhone, so other kinds of magnetic devices won’t get attracted to or stuck to your phone.
While the MagSafe charger is able to charge recent iPhones starting with the iPhone 8, it is only optimized for models that feature the magnetic charging coil on the back of the phone, which include the iPhone 12 and later models.
For best results, you should always plug your MagSafe charger into its power source before connecting it to the iPhone. This allows the two devices to “negotiate” their connection and set the charging wattage properly. If you ever connect the iPhone to a MagSafe charger that’s unplugged, separate the devices, plug in the charger, and then rejoin them. This way your phone is guaranteed to charge at top speed.
What’s the difference between wireless charging and MagSafe?
Wireless charging using the Qi standard built into iPhones, Android, and other devices has been around for years. Although convenient, it’s highly inefficient. There’s no way to know how well you’ve aligned the phone and charger, but you only get the maximum charging speed when they are perfectly aligned — even slightly off, and you’ll charge at a fraction of the top speed.
MagSafe solves that problem by ensuring the phone and charger perfectly align with the array of magnets that surround the charging coil. MagSafe iPhones can still be charged with ordinary Qi chargers, though they perform better with a MagSafe charger.
Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he’s also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.
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