Apple has introduced a new technology, MagSafe, in its newly introduced iPhone 12 and 12 Pro. This new system marks the beginning of a complete ecosystem of accessories, and it is much more than a simple magnet glued to the back of the iPhone. What is it and how it works?
It was one of the surprises of the last presentation of the iPhone 12, since although the idea of placing magnets on the back of the iPhone had been revealed, we really did not know what Apple's plans were with that new system. Apple showed us various chargers, covers and card holders, as well as other accessories that other manufacturers like Belkin had prepared. What's behind the new MagSafe?
It is not a simple magnet placed on the back of the iPhone. The MagSafe includes magnets, an NFC antenna, a magnetometer and several layers that act as a barrier to avoid possible interference with other elements. All this complex system has been placed in the iPhone 12 Mini, 12, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max. The idea is that it is not only a magnet that allows you to fix the iPhone to a support, or make the charging disk not move, but rather a complete communication is established between the accessory that we place on the iPhone using the MagSafe and the iPhone itself.
In this way, if we use the new MagSafe charger with a compatible iPhone, in addition to being perfectly placed and being able to use the iPhone while it is charging, the iPhone will know that we have placed a MagSafe charger on it and it will accept a much faster charge than with the conventional wireless charging. MagSafe charging is 15W, just twice that of 7,5W charging that we can do with a conventional Qi charger. We can use Qi chargers with the new iPhones, of course, just as we can use the new MagSafe charger with iPhones prior to 12, but the charge will be limited to 7.5W. Only with a compatible iPhone and a MagSafe will we get the 15W charge.
But it also allows the iPhone to execute specific actions depending on the accessory that we place. Thus when placing the MagSafe we will see a completely different charging animation than the one we see when we place a conventional Qi charger. Or when placing the new leather sleeve, the iPhone will identify it and show the time through the window which has the front part, and it will also do so with a color according to the cover that we have placed.
In addition to these accessories we have also been able to see car holders that are placed in the ventilation grille and that allow you to place the iPhone without the need for tweezers or other types of grips that always with a push to adjust. And it seems that the best is yet to come. Perhaps Apple will no longer launch a battery case like the Smart Battery Case, but simply a battery that is magnetically attached to your iPhone through the compatible case, and that in addition to recharging your iPhone with the speed offered by the 15W of power allows you remove it and put it in your pocket when you no longer need it.
