Apple MagSafe Battery Pack (for iPhone 12-14)

I personally really like this product.It extends the battery for a few hours, rather than acts as a dedicated phone charger.As an official product, it works excellently with MagSafe, and it has never fallen off.For my 12 pro max it will effectively give a 50% charge.It is significantly less bulky than 3rd party equivalents.The phone can reverse charge this, although this is not an advertised feature of the iPhone (ie. If the charge is plugged into the phone, it will pass charge to the attached mag battery).My only real criticism is that it requires a lightning charger, and will not charge with MagSafe. For me that wasn’t a problem, but if you have already abandoned Lightning, then it will be.

There's no avoiding the fact that the Apple charger costs more than third party alternatives, but you struggle to find a competitor that is as compact and attractive to look at. The price on Amazon is often far cheaper than from Apple directly, and I have now purchased two of these so I can swap them out easily while travelling. It's not an exaggeration to say that this one product has eliminated my battery anxiety, and the magnetic connection and wireless charging make this far more practical than a power bank (even if the power bank might last longer). Either attach it to the phone, or keep it in your pocket, and slap it on when you need.This isn't a charger though, this is for extending your battery life while you're using your phone, so if you want a travel charger, get a power bank. If you want your battery to last all day and longer even with heavy use, this is for you.

I considered purchasing the Anker 622, but after reading reviews, a lot of complaints stated “excessive overheating” or “weak magnetic hold” now, this is not something I want after spending upwards of £1,000 for an iPhone: the battery on the iPhone 14 Pro itself usually leaves me around 20% after a full day of use, but as I’m due to go on holiday in January 2023 as well as all day events, I could be doing with additional usage time, particularly while considering terminal waiting time, in flight, reaching my destination and excursions to where I can recharge my device fully. As controversial as the pack is, I went ahead as I didn't want to fuss over cables and rake through hand luggage mid-flight and on trips when power sources aren't available. I spent a good while reading reviews and countless Youtube video reviews, both for and against it. Even as far as Amazon US reviews, to be direct, they weren't the most comforting, to the point I was going to cancel. However, the order was shipped, and that wasn't an option, so what else could I do but try it out for myself? As I'm not on holiday yet, I, of course, wanted to try it out in case it was a fluke, and I regretted the purchase, and it didn’t fit my purpose. I'd return it. I have used it for the last week for this reason. As this is quite a long review, I have separated it into sections, intro, pro, med and con, for ease of reading.Intro:____Firstly, I cannot stress this enough this ISN’T a power bank. Its primary use is a battery EXTENDER. The misconception is “it’ll charge back to 100%”, but it won’t, at least not without user intervention, explained below. It will keep your device to the highest battery-friendly possible percentage until the pack is empty and removed, which can vary from model. I put it on my phone after a full 20w wire charge in the morning if I know I'll be busier than usual and away from any power source. If my iPhone drops to lower than 90%, the pack kicks in and tries to keep it between 90-91% throughout my use until no power remains, which for me is an additional 8-10hrs. I take it off and run my phone as usual with the remaining internal iPhone percentage with the same 14-16 hour usage intact. Don’t purchase this as a stand-alone “power bank”, or you will be massively disappointed. It can deliver a 60% charge (14 pro model) in one go but be prepared. This process takes a while; for me, it isn't an issue, as there are times I'm not using my phone or going to, such as my upcoming flight, commutes and working hours, as well as the gym and trips planned on holiday. However, I appreciate that this is a deal breaker for most, especially for the price.Pro:____* The most important feature for me is it doesn’t overheat due to the intelligent features and optimisation for iPhone, which was an issue that made me pass on the Anker 622 not to single them out, but as do most wireless charging methods I have tried. However, they're more on the hotter side. With this, for me, there has been no excessive heat; to be honest, if any, extreme heat is well known to degrade batteries more rapidly. On what is already a pricy device, this isn’t ideal, so if the pack can minimise this while maintaining battery health long-term, meaning I won’t have to replace the battery prematurely due to degradation. Most other wireless chargers will continue to charge regardless if the battery is 100% until power is empty, even if both get remarkably hot. These conditions aren’t ideal for batteries.* The pack sits under the camera, not obscuring the view and casting shadows, as well as not interfering with ApplePay.* Once it’s on, there is little to no movement unless there is no protective case, to where it can move marginally at the bottom, as this is where the magnets aren’t as strong. Though easily removed when required. I use an official silicone case, and it won't budge at all as there is more grip. I can put my phone into a pocket with ease without the pack detaching.* It has a seamless integration into IOS via the widget and animations. Although basic. As well as firmware updates to improve further performance or bugs, which Anker, of course, doesn’t and will never have without releasing a new product. If you own a Mac or iPad compatible with USB-C, updates can be as little as 5-10. Without the above devices, the updates can take up to a week. (I know, ridiculous).* It can replace the official Magsafe charger, which is around £45. The wattage is the same at 15w, providing you have a USB-C to lightning and a minimum of 20w adapter, the added benefit of an extended battery for on-the-go at only the lower 7.5w. For me, this will be handy, as I can take it on holiday and allow it to charge more slowly throughout the night and both be ready and set to go in the morning; I usually charge my iPhone via a 20w to 100% just before I go to bed, at times throughout, which affected my previous iPhones battery health especially longterm.* Although the general battery of AirPods is good, and I’ve rarely run out of charge as there are four charges of the buds with the case, it can still wirelessly charge my AirPod Pro 2’s on the go if it should ever happen via Qi. My testing granted more slowly than direct lighting as expected, which takes an hour with the 20w adapter USB-C to lightning cable. With the pack, it takes an additional 30 minutes to charge due to dropping down the watts, expected with wireless generally being a slower method. Charging the Airpods wired also charges the pack simultaneously.* The pack supports reverse charging. Attach your MagSafe Battery Pack to your iPhone, then into a 20w or higher adapter. The MagSafe Battery Pack can charge your iPhone up to 15W. You can also power both if you attach your MagSafe Battery Pack to your iPhone and then plug your iPhone into a power source. You might want to charge this way if you need to connect your iPhone to another device, e.g. if you’re using wired CarPlay.Med:____* This element is both a pro and a con. In true Apple style, they approach their products with a minimalist design, so there isn’t an indication of how much power remains without attaching the iPhone first, even if charging independently, which annoyingly is only viewable via the widget, but thankfully in 1% when charging and when in use, which the Anker indicates with four lights which could be less accurate as they could fall marginally between both. Also, there’s one less button to press to activate. Put on and away it goes without any additional user interaction.* Initially, the pack charged at the standard 5w, although this was updated in a firmware release enabling this feature, allowing 7.5w. Whether it makes a massive difference is questionable, although Anker is the standard 5w, granted, Anker is more versatile in terms of USB-C capabilities. Just without the iOS integration and overheating protection.* As expected, it adds a weight of 115g and 11mm of thickness to my already 7.8mm iPhone, so it's not the most comfortable to use attached long-term, but it's not something that's forever going to be glued on your device unless you want to. Another reason I chose Apple, others claimed the magnetic strength was already poor but worse down to the sheer weight of the Anker 622, weighing 424g, including iPhone attached. Still, with this, you will notice the additional weight, 386g in total; for me, I couldn’t imagine having something heavier at 38g or bulkier with less magnetic strength.* Strangely there’s an inability to charge the pack via MagSafe chargers. So a lightning cable is paramount. Come on, Apple.* As mentioned above, the pack receives updates; the last being April 2022 (2.7.b.0) from what I could find out. Without this update, the improved 7.5w speed isn't available and will stay at the standard 5w otherwise. For me, mine arrived with the latest version already complete.Con:____* The most obvious is the “Apple” price, but that’s nothing new as they generally have a “premium price”. Even at £80, it’s steep, even for someone that usually buys into the Apple ecosystem if you don’t already own the required add-ons even more so.* Now I knew this before purchasing. However, I wish Apple had optional colours, as I use an official MagSafe case (Storm Blue). It sticks out and doesn’t look as aesthetically pleasing. Gone are the days when Apple discontinued integrated battery cases which were more discreet.* In my testing, on arrival, the pack is somewhat empty and will require charging before use. The time to fully charge as recommended before first use took around 1 hour 20 minutes using a 20w adapter and USB-C cable and 1hr 5 minutes with a 30w adapter. If you are using the standard USB to lightening, which only puts out 5w, it will take far longer, which is why most likely current reviews state “it takes ages”.* To repeat, this will NOT charge your iPhone back to 100% (though it can to a degree; see below), which It’s not its primary function. What it will do is EXTEND. As mentioned above, while it has charging capabilities, let's say your iPhone is running too low for comfort, and you’re not near any power sources and won’t be for some time. Attach the pack, and it’ll charge up to 40-70% depending on the iPhone model, but this takes a while, depending on how low the internal battery percentage is. If your phone is above 90%, the pack won’t automatically kick in until the internal iPhone battery reaches 88-89% and try to maintain it at 90-91%. That said, hidden within the control centre inside the Haptic Touch menu on “Low Power Mode”, you can select “charge past 90%”, It’ll only do this when there is enough sufficient power remaining. If you are already sitting at 85-90% with the pack in a similar state, and you don’t see yourself needing maximum capacity in the next few hours, I’d use sparingly or when it’s critical as the pack takes quite the hit for the sake of 10-15% as this is where the state of energy to charge beyond 90% is more significant this applies with both wired and wireless charging.To give you an idea of the capacity:- Up to 70% charge with iPhone 12 mini or iPhone 13 mini- Up to 60% charge with iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro- Up to 40% additional with iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 14 Plus or iPhone 14 Pro Max.Conclusion:____I echo other reviews. It is expensive for what it does, even at £79 at the time of this review, £20 cheaper than directly through Apple. In typical Apple fashion, in the packaging, no cable or adapter is included, or even basic instructions for where many misconceptions come from, not being informed on its intended use. To purchase the USB-C cable and 20w adapter is an additional £38 if you want to go all “Official”. (I bought both a few years ago for 11 Pro) so it’ll cost you £137 without the £20 off deal whenever that should end, and that's basing it on if you already own a Magsafe case as, without it, the pack is not entirely stationary, so another £49 if not a whopping total of £186. Still, if you know what it does and how to use it correctly, it simply does as advertised and intended, as an extension.Is it worth £99 alone? I'd have to agree with others and say no. It’s not something you’ll rely on daily, but occasionally when you need that extra time or a trickle top-up to see you through until you can get back and recharge your iPhone wired or 15w MagSafe back to full. So the ultimate question do I regret it? I regret one thing; the price is ridiculously hefty, but it helps. I already own the required cable and adapter, and case. You don’t get a complete 100% without selecting to do so, but at a cost, but as an extender, I appreciate it's not for everyone, but for me, it simply works and does what I need. To like it, you need to understand it, which many people misunderstand, as I did initially. But hopefully, I have explained further. Sure some alternatives are more versatile that offer an entire charging cycle or more, but they aren’t as optimised for the iPhone and output excessive heat. So if you're looking for more bang for your buck in terms of multiple charges, this isn't it; if you want a small footprint product optimised for iOS/iPhone and more battery heath friendly with minimal operational fuss and don’t mind the drop in power storage but still will get you through one day or when caught up, then I’d say give it a go especially if you can get it cheaper, you can always return it. Because of the price and the additional hardware necessary that others may not currently have to use the pack fully, id have to say it's not worth spending more on for an already expensive product. I could go on and on; it's going to be a hate-it-or-love-it product; you need to try it yourself to see on which side of the fence you sit.

The name of this product is misleading. It is not a battery pack. Put it on a fully charged phone and by the end of the day it will still have 90% L. It trickle charges and manages your battery to preserve the battery life over time. Very clever device and so much better for your phone than cheaper charger packs. Do not get hung up on the products capacity. It has all you need to get through a day.

Buy this if you want a sophisticated and well engineered battery power extension.They are extremely sturdy and appear to be almost scratch-proof.The white surface somehow hasn’t picked up any stains (so far) and I’ve had two of them since they came out.They are best used with an iPhone 13 (any model) as they really seem to attach more firmly. They do not come off easily at all.A big motivator for me was the fact that (at the time of this review) they don’t charge your phone to 100% by default, you can force them to if you wish, instead they keep your phones battery at 91% which is better for the life span of the internal battery.PS - ensure you use a MagSafe case with this if you have a case on your phone.