Apple has improved MagSafe wireless charging in the new iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro by increasing the maximum capacity. Wireless charging is now as fast as charging with a USB-C cable. You will need a new MagSafe charger and a power adapter of at least 30W.
Together with the iPhone 12 (Pro) series, MagSafe was introduced. Apple’s own solution for the wireless charging protocol Qi that has been around for several years. Last year, Qi2 was launched and shows many similarities with the first generation MagSafe. Perhaps this was the reason for Apple to launch the second generation.
Wireless charging with MagSafe
When you charge an iPhone wirelessly, you no longer need to plug a cable into the iPhone. You place the iPhone on the wireless charger and the device charges.
However, wireless charging has also historically been slower than charging via a USB-C cable on the iPhone. During its It’s Glowtime event on Monday, Apple announced that this is a thing of the past. MagSafe now makes charging devices as fast as a cable.
A new Apple MagSafe charger (from €49) can charge an iPhone 16 (Pro) up to 25W in combination with a 30W power adapter. This ensures that the iPhone 16 (Pro) is 50% charged in about 30 minutes.
Fast charging like cable
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro specs pages note that you can also charge the iPhone from 0 to 50% in about 30 minutes using a USB-C cable and a power adapter of at least 20W. That 20W is also the max for the iPhone 15 series, and appears to remain the same for the new models.
The new generation of MagSafe now also allows you to achieve these speeds wirelessly. Whether you use MagSafe or USB-C, the iPhone 16 models can charge up to 50% in 30 minutes, provided you have the right accessories. It is also good to know that MagSafe is more than a charging protocol.
Need a new MagSafe charger
While improvements to MagSafe charging speeds are always welcome, there are limitations. Only the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models can charge at 25W, but only with the new MagSafe charging puck that Apple introduced on Monday. Apple’s new MagSafe chargers come in two models, the 1-meter (3.3-foot) A2580 model for $49 (£49) and the 2-meter (6.6-foot) A3250 model for $59 (£49).
With every other iPhone, the new puck can charge with a maximum of 15W. If you charge the new iPhone 16 (Pro) with the old MagSafe charger or other accessories, they can only charge with 15W.
It’s not yet known whether Apple will allow manufacturers to use the faster version of MagSafe in their accessories.