Almost three years in the past, Apple modified the sport of how iPhones charged when it launched a brand new MagSafe accent ecosystem to go alongside its iPhone 12 lineup.
Nonetheless, true to its typical type, the corporate solely launched two MagSafe charging equipment, each in “Apple white.” The usual one was the MagSafe Charger, with a easy disc-like design that would clip onto the again of an iPhone in any orientation to wirelessly cost it at 15-watt speeds. The second accent, Apple’s MagSafe Duo, got here just a few weeks later. Because the identify implies, this one is a journey charger that may deal with an iPhone and an Apple Watch.
The MagSafe Duo was on the expensive facet for what it provided, particularly because it wanted a correct high-wattage energy adapter to ship full-rate charging — and it didn’t embody one within the field. It wasn’t lengthy earlier than significantly better third-party choices appeared.
Whereas Apple additionally launched different MagSafe equipment, like a leather-based pockets and a number of other circumstances, the MagSafe Charger and MagSafe Duo have been the one power-related choices. Apple appeared content material to cede the remainder of the market to third-party MagSafe chargers. Nonetheless, sadly that additionally received a bit complicated as many merely capitalized on the ring of magnets within the new iPhones with out adopting true MagSafe expertise. This allowed for magnetic attachment with charging speeds no sooner than a typical Qi wi-fi charger.
Apple Prototyped Different MagSafe Chargers
It seems these two MagSafe chargers weren’t the one concepts Apple had. A small however thriving group of oldsters who gather Apple paraphernalia have uncovered some fascinating prototypes of different MagSafe charging choices that Apple should have thought-about and rejected.
A Twitter consumer who goes by the deal with Kosutami lately shared a prototype of the MagSafe charger in what seems to be a Rose Gold or Starlight end. It’s unclear if different colours have been accessible, however the collector of uncommon Apple merchandise likens it to Apple’s MacBook MagSafe 3 charging cables, that are color-matched to the MacBook Air in House Grey, Silver, Midnight, and Starlight.
The implication is that Apple as soon as thought-about releasing a lineup of MagSafe Chargers that may be equally matched to every of the iPhone finishes. It’s unknown whether or not this was meant for the unique MagSafe launch in the course of the iPhone 12 period or as an up to date model that will have been launched alongside the iPhone 13. If the colour shared by Kosutami is certainly Starlight, that may recommend a later model, as Apple didn’t launch these colours till its 2021 iPhone 13 lineup. Nonetheless, it’s laborious to make sure from the images.
Earlier than we get too excited, although, Kosutami emphasizes that the MagSafe charger used to have a coloured model. In different phrases, that is an older prototype that Apple tried and deserted. Regardless of the cause, it was probably extra about logistics or advertising and marketing than technical points. Maybe Apple didn’t really feel like coping with such a different stock, particularly if these have been meant to match the colours of iPhone fashions that change yearly.
The collector additionally included a photograph of a prototype “Magic Charger” that they first found final 12 months (they have been going by the Twitter deal with TheBlueMister on the time), suggesting that this was additionally meant for launch in a number of colours.
It appears “Magic Charger” would have probably been the official identify for this gadget had it come to market, because it identifies itself by that identify when it’s plugged right into a Mac. The design seems to include a pop-up MagSafe disc, just like the Apple Watch charging disc on the MagSafe Duo.
It’s not clear how sensible the stand mode would have been for charging an iPhone — it probably would have been confined to panorama orientation — but when the bottom have been heavy sufficient, this might have made a way more appropriate desktop resolution than the usual MagSafe Charger, which must be taped or weighed down if you happen to don’t need it to remain connected to your iPhone whenever you decide it up.
Since these prototypes are all in Apple’s previous, there’s no cause to imagine it’s getting ready to launch a brand new MagSafe Charger in numerous colours, however we can also’t rule it out. Current stories recommend the iPhone 15 lineup will introduce assist for the brand new Qi2 customary. Whereas Qi2 is predicated on MagSafe, it’s nonetheless a brand new charging spec, and although the iPhone 15 will undoubtedly be backward-compatible with MagSafe, there’s a great likelihood Apple will launch new Qi2 chargers this 12 months to evolve to this new business customary that it helped to create.