Apple announces a $99 MagSafe Battery Pack for the iPhone 12 lineup, with a total capacity of 1460mAh, arriving July 19

9to5Mac 2021-07-14 Benjamin Mayo

Context & Ripple Effects

The pack extends the accessory system Apple introduced with MagSafe’s magnetic chargers and wallets for the iPhone 12. It also updates Apple’s earlier $99 battery-case approach into a detachable accessory rather than an integrated case.

Follow-on reviews found deep iOS integration and Qi-device charging, but also judged the pack expensive and short of a full iPhone 12 recharge. That trade-off makes the launch more about a first-party MagSafe experience than maximum battery capacity.

First-order effects

iPhone 12 owners gain an Apple-made magnetic battery option at $99, while Apple adds a battery product to its MagSafe accessory range.
Third-party battery-case and pack makers, including Mophie, now face an official alternative at the same $99 price point established by its earlier iPhone 6 product.

Second-order effects

Accessory makers must differentiate on capacity, price, or form factor, since the Apple pack’s iOS integration and ability to charge Qi devices create a feature baseline for magnetic battery packs.
The reviews’ capacity critique leaves room for third parties to compete on longer runtime even as Apple controls the most tightly integrated option.

Third-order effects

If Apple continues to turn iPhone functions into MagSafe complements, more accessory value shifts toward products that pair physical hardware with Apple-controlled software integration.
The pattern favors a two-tier accessory market: Apple can price convenience and integration at a premium, while independent makers compete more directly on specifications and value.

The trend: MagSafe is turning iPhone accessories from standalone add-ons into a software-integrated complement market where Apple sets the reference product.

Discussion

@panzer Matthew Panzarino on x
Finally. https://twitter.com/...
@tomwarren Tom Warren on x
am I alone in wishing Apple would just make the iPhone slightly thicker to give us better battery life? I don't want a mismatched hump at the back of my phone https://www.theverge.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@mattbirchler Matt Birchler on x
@film_girl It's amazing to me how many Apple accessories are releasing since last fall that require you to click into the compatibility details to figure out how to get the right cable and brick combination you need to make the thing function. 🤦🏻‍♂ ️
@leaksapplepro @leaksapplepro on x
Wow. Design has really changed from the prototypes I've seen. Source told me a couple times they were having overheating issues so that might be the reason. https://twitter.com/...
@maxwinebach Max Weinbach on x
MagSafe battery finally! https://www.apple.com/...
@snazzyq Quinn Nelson on x
There's seldom a moment when I'm away from a power outlet long enough that I need a battery without the ability to take a bag/pack.
@saradietschy @saradietschy on x
Bout timeeee :) Okay so maybe it charges slow but this is the perfect companion for charging on the go. Being on a plane or in the back of a car juggling a long cable and a battery pack is not ideal. LIKE✅ https://twitter.com/...
@greengart Avi Greengart on x
@JoannaStern Honestly, this isn't the worst solution if most of the time you want a small phone and keep this in the bag for long days.
@joannastern Joanna Stern on x
iPhone Mini for $700 + MagSafe battery pack for $99 = $799 for the small iPhone you've always wanted https://twitter.com/...
@leaksapplepro @leaksapplepro on x
The pretty shitty specs of it are due to the overheating issues. Only 5W charging, only 50% charge for iPhone 12... https://twitter.com/...
@snazzyq Quinn Nelson on x
New MagSafe batteries have 7.62V cells and iPhone 12 series has 3.85V. Converting all batteries to Wh and assuming a 70% Qi efficiency (generous) the new battery will charge iPhone 12 mini: 91% iPhone 12/Pro: 72% iPhone 12 Pro Max: 55% Actual Qi efficiency is probably lower.
@rsgnl Joe Rossignol on x
Deleted my tweets on MagSafe Battery Pack re: mAh. I think this confusion arose last time, you have to look at the watt-hours I believe? The battery pack is 11.13Wh. iPhone 12 + 12 Pro = 10.78Wh. I feel like this is a @reneritchie video in the making. cc @MaxWinebach @holgr
@gruber John Gruber on x
@panzer White only: boo hiss. (Ordering one now anyway...)
@reneritchie Rene Ritchie on x
2015 Smart Battery Case hot takes: Such a small capacity for such a high price, fail! Me: Here's how tech works! 2015 CES: You were right! Using it, more efficient than everything else! 2021 MagSafe Battery: Such a small capacity for such a high price, fail! Me: Ok, again...!
@tldtoday @tldtoday on x
you already know I ordered that magsafe battery pack lol
@leahcim_nyc @leahcim_nyc on x
Ordered instantly considering my battery life on my 12 Pro Max sucks now ever since 14.6 and my battery health is going to shit???? But then I'll just buy the 13 in 2 months anyway lmao 🤷🏻‍♂ ️ https://twitter.com/...
@samifathi_ Sami Fathi on x
I love surprise Apple drops like today's MagSafe Battery Pack. While leaks and rumors are fine, there's something very special about getting pleasantly surprised.
@snazzyq Quinn Nelson on x
Hot take: the new MagSafe battery is dumb. Qi charging is so inefficient and your phone gets so hot while doing it that you'd likely get a better experience buying (a) a third party battery case or (b) a small footprint battery with higher capacity.
@gregorymcfadden Gregory McFadden on x
Apple can't even release a battery pack without a wave of controversy and shitty hot takes.
@film_girl Christina Warren on x
Look, I'll buy the stupid MagSafe battery pack, but I want to rant that it doesn't include the 20w power adapter it needs (that also doesn't come with the iPhone 12 Pro Max) or the USB-C to Lightening cable. And it costs $100. Come on Apple!
@natisho Nati Shochat on x
“The MagSafe Battery Pack can also be charged through the iPhone if the iPhone is plugged into a power source.” The long rumored reverse wireless charging feature goes live w/ iOS 14.7 Apple's playbook of adding a technology as a feature continues. https://www.macrumors.com/...
@samifathi_ Sami Fathi on x
MagSafe Battery Pack needs iOS 14.7, guessing iOS 15 beta 1/2 doesn't include support, so a new beta with added support should be soon...?
@thecomputerclan @thecomputerclan on x
Clearly I don't use my iPhone enough. I don't even have the highest-end model, and I still get 2 days of use off a single charge (without Low Power Mode). 🤷‍♂️ https://twitter.com/...
@rendersbyian Ian Zelbo on x
not bad for 5 months early https://twitter.com/...
@greengart Avi Greengart on x
@WhatTheBit @JoannaStern If you've got an iPhone mini, this IS an iPhone-sized battery pack with magsafe built-in. I think I need this.
@stevemoser Steve Moser on x
Cool to see the MagSafe Battery Pack launch. I wonder if the ‘Mobile Charge Mode’ is still in play. “When you're using your MagSafe Battery Pack to charge your iPhone, you might get a notification that says your iPhone will charge only up to 90%” https://support.apple.com/... htt…
@airlineflyer Jason Rabinowitz on x
A 5W magnetic wireless charger has got to be the worst possible solution to poor battery life. Low capacity combined with slow charging speeds combined with something that will fall off all the time. https://twitter.com/...
@backlon Dieter Bohn on x
Okay you ingrates, you have to go buy an iPhone 12 Mini now. Here's a battery pack so it can last the day, so you have no excuse now. (you have plenty of excuses just saying) https://www.theverge.com/...
@tme_michael Michael Burkhardt on x
$99 and 1460mAh. Thats around half a charge for normal sized iPhones, even less for a Pro Max. Not to mention that it only comes in white. I'm honestly not sure how I feel about this product, especially considering Anker packs 5000mAh in a MagSafe battery bank for under $50. http…
@zollotech Aaron Zollo on x
Apple has finally released a MagSafe battery pack for iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max. https://twitter.com/...
@robertquinnnj Robert Quinn on x
@MacRumors @julipuli THANK YOU! This is the only MagSafe accessory I've wanted!
@rsgnl Joe Rossignol on x
1,460 mAh https://twitter.com/...

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