MagSafe Portable Chargers for iPhone 12: Which One is Right for You?
Last fall, Apple reintroduced MagSafe charging with the iPhone 12 lineup, a feature that while reminiscent of the innovative MagSafe connectors in older MacBooks, takes a slightly different form. The iPhone version excels at simplifying wireless charging on the go, enabling users to power up their smartphones with a cord-free portable charger. But with several options available, determining the best MagSafe portable charger for your specific needs can be challenging.
We put four MagSafe-compatible wireless batteries – also known as portable chargers or power banks – to the test. These chargers come from reputable companies recognized for producing reliable and safe iPhone accessories. While cheaper alternatives might exist on platforms like Amazon, the risk of damaging a high-end smartphone to save a few dollars on a MagSafe battery isn’t a gamble worth taking. Here are the models we tested:
- Apple MagSafe Battery Pack ($99)
- Zens Magnetic Dual Powerbank with Stand (~$80.00)
- Mophie Snap+ Juice Pack Mini ($50)
- Anker PowerCore Magnetic 5K ($55)
What is MagSafe?
MagSafe debuted with the iPhone 12 series in late 2020. Apple integrated a ring of internal magnets around a Qi wireless charging coil on the back of each iPhone 12 model. This feature serves two key purposes:
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Improved Alignment: MagSafe makes it easier to align the charging coils between the phone and a compatible wireless charging pad, maximizing energy transfer efficiency.
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Accessory Attachment: It simplifies the attachment of accessories to the back of the iPhone or the iPhone to accessories like car mounts and desk chargers.
Apple also sells a leather wallet that attaches magnetically to the back of the iPhone. A portable charger offers more utility, allowing you to charge your smartphone while away from a power outlet without the hassle of cords. Standard wireless Qi pads offer a similar function, but the real advantage of MagSafe is maintaining the charging connection while walking or commuting on public transit. MagSafe ensures automatic alignment and secure attachment, so you can forget about the charger while moving around.
Aesthetics and Design
The decision to use a case on your iPhone reflects personal preferences for aesthetics and protection. Choosing a MagSafe battery can also be driven by visual appeal.
The Apple MagSafe Battery Pack and the Mophie Snap+ Juice Pack Mini are the front runners in terms of visual design, although all four options are relatively simple.
The minimalist Apple MagSafe Battery Pack will appeal to Apple enthusiasts, especially those who prefer to keep the Apple logo on their iPhone visible. However, its bright white finish may contrast with darker iPhone color options.
The Mophie Snap+ Juice Pack Mini has a fabric-like finish, that offers a more subtle look and will blend seamlessly with darker iPhone 12 Pro models or the standard iPhone 12 and 12 Mini shades.
The Apple MagSafe Battery Pack is the smallest of the four batteries and is designed to fit the dimensions of the iPhone 12 Mini. The Mophie Snap+ Juice Pack Mini has a slightly larger footprint but the same thickness. Although Mophie’s solution functions well with the iPhone 12 Mini, it will overhang the bottom of the device by nearly five millimeters and needs to be removed completely to use the Mini’s camera. iPhone 12 Mini users are better suited to select Apple’s MagSafe option.
Winner: Tie between the Apple MagSafe Battery Pack and the Mophie Snap+ Juice Pack Mini
Charging Speed
Wirelessly charging an iPhone 12 with a MagSafe battery is one of the slowest charging methods, surpassing only hand-cranked chargers or small solar cells. The trade-off is convenience. Wireless charging is inherently less efficient, and battery manufacturers prioritize battery life cycle over raw speed.
An Apple-certified MagSafe wireless charger plugged into a wall can recharge an iPhone 12 at up to 15W. However, the Zens Magnetic Dual Powerbank and the Mophie Snap+ Juice Pack Mini charge at 7.5W, while the Apple MagSafe Battery Pack and the Anker PowerCore Magnetic 5K are limited to 5W.
Mophie’s solution provides the fastest charging speed given its price and capacity.
It is important to note that the wireless charging speeds of some of these batteries can be increased when plugged into a wall adapter, even reaching as fast as 15W with Apple’s power bank. However, this negates the benefits of portability.
Winner: Mophie Snap+ Juice Pack Mini
Capacity
The Anker PowerCore Magnetic 5K and the Mophie Snap+ Juice Pack Mini can fully recharge a completely depleted iPhone 12 Mini. Mophie claims its charger can also fully recharge an iPhone 12, while Anker estimates around 95% recharge for the standard iPhone 12.
The Apple MagSafe Battery Pack offers the least capacity due to its design to fit the iPhone 12 Mini. When paired with an iPhone 12 Pro Max, it will only recharge the battery to approximately 55%.
Wireless charging efficiency is affected by numerous factors, including environmental conditions and iPhone usage. These portable chargers are best used for topping off your iPhone battery rather than completely recharging a dead phone. If you need to fully recharge, consider large, 10,000 mAh MagSafe batteries from brands like Zens.
Winner: Mophie Snap+ Juice Pack Mini
Features and Functionality
All four MagSafe batteries are simple in design, but have varying functionality. The Mophie, Anker, and Zens batteries feature buttons that activate a multi-LED power meter to show the battery’s remaining charge, and turn the wireless coil on or off. Turning the coil off can save battery life. However, it is important to remember to turn the coil back on before attaching the battery to an iPhone.
The Apple MagSafe Battery Pack lacks a power button and automatically starts charging an iPhone 12. A single LED on the battery pack displays the charge status. On devices running iOS 14.7 or later, a charging status report will appear on the iPhone lock screen when the pack is attached (indicating both the phone and battery’s charge level). The iOS battery widget will display the accessory’s remaining charge.
Apple’s MagSafe battery integrates seamlessly with the iPhone 12. However, it is the most expensive.
The Mophie, Anker, and Zens batteries have a USB-C port for recharging from an adapter. Apple’s battery pack charges using a Lightning cable. Although not ideal, Apple users will already have this cable on hand.
All four MagSafe batteries can wirelessly charge other devices, such as wireless earbud cases and non-Apple smartphones. The Mophie, Anker, and Zens can also charge other devices non-wirelessly using a USB-C cable, while Apple’s solution can not. Apple’s solution wirelessly draws power from an iPhone 12 and charges itself when the phone is connected to a Lightning cable. This is a faster solution for charging both devices together.
All batteries attach securely to the back of an iPhone 12, but Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack holds the strongest.
Zens Magnetic Dual Powerbank offers a unique feature: wireless charging on both sides of the battery (only one is MagSafe-compatible). It can charge your iPhone and wireless earbuds simultaneously. The caveat is that the iPhone must be placed face down, and the battery’s capacity is split between two devices. This feature makes the Zens the thickest of the four batteries.
Zens includes a kickstand so you can prop up your iPhone 12. However, the MagSafe magnets did not hold strongly enough to keep an iPhone 12 Pro level.
The Apple MagSafe Battery Pack offers the best features and functionality when used with any of the iPhone 12 models. The premium pricing is further justified when considering the MagSafe Battery Pack can charge the iPhone 12, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max at up to 15W speeds when connected to a 20W+ power source.
Winner: Apple MagSafe Battery Pack
Overall Recommendation
Despite being the most expensive option with the least capacity and a finish that doesn’t match any iPhone color, the Apple MagSafe Battery Pack is worth the premium. It offers the best integration with Apple smartphones.
The ability to check the charge level of the MagSafe battery alongside the iPhone’s remaining charge within iOS is a great advantage. The Apple MagSafe Battery Pack starts charging automatically when it’s attached, which is a big plus.
Apple includes clever battery preservation features, limiting charging to 90% unless a user specifically requests it go past that. With a 20W+ power source, the Apple MagSafe Battery Pack charges the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro models at speeds of up to 15W.
The Mophie Snap+ Juice Pack Mini is an excellent value at $50 with 7.5W charging speeds, a 5,000 mAh capacity, and an inoffensive design. It charges other non-wireless devices through a USB-C cable, a feature absent on Apple’s battery. iPhone 12 Mini users may still want to stick with Apple as the Mophie’s larger footprint may partially cover the device’s camera.
These recommendations are specifically for iPhone 12 users seeking a portable charger that sticks to the back of their smartphones. With a cord, you can get batteries that will charge an iPhone multiple times over for less money than these options.
