September 10, 2025, 3:05 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Alongside the iPhone Air, Apple introduced a new MagSafe battery on Tuesday evening. This accessory charges the iPhone wirelessly via MagSafe on the back. Many users have been waiting for this, but they may be disappointed, as the battery pack is only compatible with a single iPhone model.
In 2020, Apple introduced the first version of the MagSafe battery. Although it was taken off the market in 2023, it remains compatible with all MagSafe-capable iPhones to this day. Users had to wait two years for the successor, which finally goes on sale on September 15. However, even if they purchase the battery right at launch, they cannot use it immediately. The only compatible model is released four days later.
Developed Exclusively for iPhone Air
The MagSafe battery listed in the Apple Store for 115 euros is, according to product information, “made exclusively for the iPhone Air.” The compatibility list also only mentions the new, sleek iPhone Air.
The product images show why this is the case. The battery is significantly longer than the previous model and covers the entire back of the iPhone Air under the camera strip. On the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro, the cameras extend further down, leaving no room for the MagSafe battery. While this may upset many users, Apple is correcting a mistake made with the predecessor. It was compatible with all iPhone models at the time–including the iPhone 12 mini. This meant that the capacity was undersized for larger models like the Pro Max. By focusing solely on the Air, Apple avoids this problem.
According to Apple, the battery extends video playback time to up to 40 hours. During use, the iPhone Air charges at up to 12 watts. If you’re in a hurry, you can charge the Air even faster with a 20-watt charger and the MagSafe battery simultaneously.
Third-Party Alternatives
If you insist on using Apple’s original, you can also use the new MagSafe battery with other iPhone models–but you’ll have to attach it at an angle on the back. As with the old model, it’s not necessary to place the battery upright. It charges the iPhone even when mounted at a 90-degree angle.
Meanwhile, there are also numerous compatible battery packs from third-party providers that support MagSafe and the Qi2 standard. They allow fast wireless charging at up to 25 watts, making them even more powerful than the original.
More Could Have Been Done
“As an owner of the first MagSafe battery, I feel a bit blindsided. Back then, the wireless battery was a novelty and saved my iPhone 13 mini from shutting down several times.
If the new MagSafe battery were compatible with my iPhone 15 Pro Max and other models, I probably would have bought it right at launch. I understand the reasoning behind focusing on the iPhone Air, which most needs the extra battery power. Still, I would have appreciated broader compatibility.
For now, I’ll stick with a Qi2 model from a third-party provider, which not only charges my iPhone faster (15 watts instead of 12 watts) but also actively cools it. I also paid only half of what the new Apple original costs. Maybe by 2030, the perfect model will finally come from Cupertino itself–think about it, Apple.”