We tested Apple’s MagSafe charger on everything but the iPhone 12
Fun with magnets.
After receiving Apple’s MagSafe Charger, we decided to test it out on, well, anything we could find. The results were a little surprising. While the handheld puck will charge most things that are enabled with Qi charging, we could only get a max of 5-watt speeds no matter which power adapter we connected to the MagSafe, including Apple’s new 20-watt charger.
And some devices that we thought it could charge – like the Apple Watch, for example – wouldn’t.
The MagSafe Charger was actually able to stick to some Android phones, including the Galaxy Note20 Ultra and Pixel 5. There must be something magnetic inside those phones. The connection wasn’t anywhere near as sturdy or clicky as Apple promises
the one with the iPhone 12 will be – in fact, the charger slowly slid down the devices when held at an angle – but for the most part, it worked.
It stuck a little to the iPhone 11 but didn’t stick at all to the iPhone SE. Here’s everything that’s we’ve tested with the MagSafe Changer so far.
SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE20 ULTRA
The MagSafe Charger stuck well enough to the Galaxy Note20 Ultra that we had a hard time shaking it loose.
Stick: Yes
Charge: Yes
SAMSUNG GALAXY S10+
Like the Note20 Ultra, the MagSafe Charger stuck well to the glass back of the S10+.
Stick: Yes
Charge: Yes
GOOGLE PIXEL 4 XL
The MagSafe Charger plays very nicely with Google’s phone with the sturdiest connection of all the devices here, including the iPhone 11.
Stick: Yes
Charge: Yes
GOOGLE PIXEL 5
The MagSafe Charger stuck surprisingly well to the aluminium Pixel 5, though not as well as the Pixel 4 XL.
Stick: Yes
Charge: No
LG VELVET
It’s not as tight as the Pixel 5, but the MagSafe Charger stuck well enough to the LG Velvet.
Stick: Yes
Charge: Yes
iPHONE SE
MagSafe is clearly an iPhone 12 feature and Apple didn’t sneak any hidden magnets into the SE.
Stick: No
Charge: Yes
iPHONE 11
We’re not really sure why, but the MagSafe Charger will stick to the iPhone 11, but not well enough where we’d recommend buying it.
Stick: No
Charge: Yes
APPLE WATCH SERIES 6
We thought the MagSafe Charger would at least stick to the back of the Apple Watch like the smaller puck charger but no dice.
Stick: No
Charge: No
AIRPODS PRO
While the MagSafe Charger didn’t stick to the all-plastic AirPods Pro case, it did charge it when positioned correctly.
Stick: No
Charge: Yes
GALAXY WATCH 3
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch supports Qi charging, but the MagSafe Charger couldn’t make the proper contact.
Stick: No
Charge: No
IPAD PRO
We knew the iPad Pro wouldn’t charge with the MagSafe Charger, but it also didn’t stick as well as we thought it would. It’s likely because of the shape of the charger versus the location of the magnets inside the iPad’s case.
Stick: No
Charge: No
SAMSUNG FRIDGE
If Samsung or Apple ever makes a stainless steel fridge that supports wireless charging, the MagSafe puck will stick nicely to it.
Stick: Yes
Charge: No