Key Takeaways

  • Apple’s iPhone 16 helps 25W wi-fi charging with the brand new MagSafe Charger, however real-world outcomes fall wanting the marketed pace.
  • Whereas Apple’s 25W charger presents quicker speeds than older variations, design flaws persist within the up to date MagSafe Charger mannequin.
  • iPhone 16 house owners with a 30W+ adapter can profit from the quicker charging charge supplied by the Apple MagSafe Charger, however it could be expensive for these with out one.

An understated new function Apple included within the iPhone 16 is its 25W wi-fi charging functionality, the quickest accessible in any smartphone but. In tandem, the corporate up to date its MagSafe Charger (2024) to assist this, giving us an opportunity to check if the marketed charging speeds are the actual deal.


Apple MagSafe Charger 2024
Apple MagSafe Charger (2024)

$33 $39 Save $6

Apple’s up to date MagSafe charger that gives 25W wi-fi charging to the iPhone 16 line.

Professionals
  • Sooner iPhone 16 wi-fi charging
  • Moveable design
  • May cost AirPods
Cons
  • Charging speeds are slower than Apple marketed
  • Requires an costly energy adapter
  • Just a few design flaws

Worth and Availability

The Apple Magsafe Charger (2024) is accessible with a 1-meter wire for $39.00 or a 2-meter wire for $49.00. The field solely contains the magnetic charging puck, so that you’ll want to supply your individual energy adapter (Apple will sell you one for another $39.00).

Expectations Versus Actuality: Testing 25W Wi-fi Charging on iPhone 16

Apple MagSafe Charger 2024 on iPhone 16 Pro Max
Tim Rattray / How-To Geek


Apple set excessive expectations for iPhone 16 wi-fi charging when it touted on the phone’s web page that it’s able to “as much as 25W with a 30W energy adapter or larger, enabling as much as 50% cost in round half-hour.” After testing this function with the up to date MagSafe Charger, it seems that “as much as” is doing greater than its fair proportion of heavy lifting.

It is price noting that Apple got here to those numbers utilizing its 30W charger, one thing I didn’t have readily available for this assessment. Nevertheless, it’s advertising and marketing converse to say you want any particular model’s adapter for these speeds: if an adapter outputs 30W or extra, you ought to be set.

The 2 adapters I used for testing have been Anker’s 735 Charger (65W) and a 2023 MacBook Professional adapter (140W). I plugged these immediately into energy retailers and didn’t contact the telephone throughout the check. I additionally didn’t have every other gadgets plugged into Anker’s charger, which modified the output wattage of its ports.


After half-hour of charging, my outcomes have been as follows: 29% recovered battery life with the Anker 735 and 26% recovered battery life with the MacBook Professional adapter. These outcomes are sufficient beneath Apple’s claims to guide me to conclude that utilizing the corporate’s 25W MagSafe adapter, the typical shopper won’t get near 50% cost in half-hour, although maybe you could get there in roughly 45 minutes.

How Does It Evaluate to 15W MagSafe/Qi2 Chargers?

Anker MagGo Qi2 wireless charger lineup.
Anker

I additionally examined the 2 official 15W MagSafe charging stations with the iPhone 16 Professional Max beneath the identical circumstances: immediately plugged into an influence outlet with no different gadgets being charged and with out utilizing the telephone mid-test. I examined the Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charger and the Anker 3-in-1 Cube, which resulted in 15% and 17% recovered battery life, respectively.


This reveals that whereas Apple’s claims about 25W wi-fi charging don’t match our outcomes, the brand new MagSafe puck presents practically twice the charging pace of its earlier iteration. This can be a appreciable improve for anybody who likes wi-fi charging however needs quicker speeds, and with expectations in examine, I believe that particular person can be glad with what Apple’s providing.

It’s additionally price noting that any iPhone that helps wi-fi charging previous to the iPhone 16 will cost at its most wattage with this puck. That’s, it’ll perform identically to different 15W MagSafe and Qi2 chargers available on the market. Additional, it’ll additionally cost your AirPods simply as previous iterations did.

Moveable Design That Retains Flaws

Apple MagSafe Charger 2024 from an angle
Tim Rattray / How-To Geek


The 2024 MagSafe Charger refresh retains the identical design as its predecessor. This puck-shaped system magnetically attaches to the again of your iPhone, including MagSafe-compatible cases. It’s ultra-light, so it doesn’t add weight to the telephone or a backpack.

There are some design flaws that I want Apple would have mounted by now. First, there’s no reinforcement on the connection level between the puck and the wire, which leaves it weak to put on and tear. Additionally, the steel ring surrounding the gentle charging pad causes metal-on-metal contact when faraway from the telephone, leading to an unsettling scratching sound. These continued points are unusual given the eye to finer particulars that usually assist justify Apple’s premium costs.

Ought to You Purchase the Apple MagSafe Charger (2024)?

Apple MagSafe Charger 2024 next to box
Tim Rattray / How-To Geek


At current, third-party producers have but to announce 25W chargers, so the 2024 Apple MagSafe Charger is your solely choice for quicker wi-fi charging. Even when it doesn’t dwell as much as the corporate’s guarantees, it’s nonetheless a marked enchancment at near-double the charging charge. Any iPhone 16 proprietor who wants this performance and owns a 30W or larger adapter will discover what they’re searching for right here. Should you don’t personal an adapter, this turns into prohibitively costly.

In case your wi-fi charging wants additionally embody AirPods and/or an Apple Watch, I’d recommend waiting for third parties to offer 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 solutions. The following iteration of these product traces is certain to incorporate 25W iPhone 16 charging (and for a extra inexpensive value).

Wish to know what to search for when shopping for a wi-fi charger? Give my checklist a look here.

Apple MagSafe Charger 2024
Apple MagSafe Charger (2024)

$33 $39 Save $6

Apple’s up to date MagSafe charger that gives 25W wi-fi charging to the iPhone 16 line.


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