For all their conveniences, they are not perfect.
MagSafe as a technology actually dates back to 2006, when Apple unveiled it as a magnetic power connector for the MacBook Pro. Apple eventually abandoned this feature in favor of USB-C in 2015, but it eventually made a return to the MacBook lineup.
You can still charge modern MacBooks through their USB-C ports at the same speeds you’d get with MagSafe, but you’ll need to purchase a compatible USB-C cable separately. Apple offers a USB-C to MagSafe cable with every MacBook, and it offers its share of conveniences. To get started, charging your MacBook becomes as simple as moving the MagSafe connector closer to the charging port and letting the magnets snap it into place. Second, there’s much less chance of your MacBook being ripped off a desk if someone accidentally trips over the charging cable – hence the name MagSafe.
As convenient as using a MagSafe cable is for your MacBook, it is a proprietary charging standard. This means that you will always have a dedicated cable with you that can only be used to charge your MacBook. A USB-C cable, on the other hand, can not only charge all your devices, but it can also be used to connect external displays, hard drives, and other peripherals to your Mac.
I remember using MagSafe almost exclusively to charge my MacBook when it was new and mostly connected to my desk, but by the time I started carrying it around, relying on USB-C just made more sense. It’s also easier to justify buying newer USB-C cables because you know they’ll be useful for other devices as well.
What about MagSafe on iPhones?
Adnan Ahmed for Woozad
Although it shares the same name and technically offers the same magnetic convenience, MagSafe on iPhone is a very different implementation of the connector used by MacBooks. For one thing, it’s completely wireless. This means it can’t (yet) charge an iPhone as quickly or efficiently as a wired USB-C or Lightning connection. If you have an iPhone 17e, iPhone 15, or older model, MagSafe charging peaks at 15W, while newer models can charge wirelessly at up to 25W. However, with a compatible charger and a USB-C cable, you can charge the iPhone 18 Pro much faster, at up to 60W.
So if you’re looking for a quick charge right before you leave, MagSafe may not be the most efficient solution. Plus, unlike the MacBook, Apple doesn’t offer a MagSafe charger with iPhones, so you’ll have to pay extra for convenience. That said, MagSafe on iPhone goes beyond just wireless charging. You can buy magnetic wallets, phone holders, car mounts, and other accessories that make good use of the magnets built into your iPhone.
MagSafe charging is still incredibly useful if you charge your phone overnight. You can set up a wireless charging stand on your nightstand or desk and simply insert your iPhone into it. Some AirPods models that come with a wireless charging case are also MagSafe compatible and can be charged using the same magnetic charging accessories designed for iPhone.
