Apple releases $99 MagSafe battery pack for iPhone 12 models

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Apple launched a battery pack on its website on Tuesday for all its four iPhone 12 models.
• The MagSafe Battery Pack snaps onto the back of the iPhone 12 with magnets to provide extra battery life.
• The battery pack, which comes in white, is available for preorder now.

Apple on Tuesday released a new $99 MagSafe battery pack that’s designed to work with the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 Mini. The new accessory provides “safe and reliable wireless charging” and won’t interfere with “credit cards or key fobs,” the company says on the Apple Store site. 

Apple says that when the MagSafe battery pack is connected to your iPhone 12, it can charge your phone with up to 5 watts of power on the go and up to 15W of power when connected to a 20W or higher power source. 

The battery pack is made of polycarbonate and silicone materials and is available in white. Apple notes that it can be used with or without a MagSafe case. 

Apple introduced MagSafe charging and accessories as part of its iPhone 12 lineup in October. MagSafe is reminiscent of the feature that used to be on all MacBooks, where the power cord auto-attached by way of a magnet and easily popped off if you tripped on the cord. The new battery pack joins a slew of magnetic MagSafe accessories that snap onto the back of the iPhone 12, such as cases, chargers, mounts and a wallet. 

Apple says your iPhone and MagSafe battery pack can also be charged at the same time when plugged in but notes that the iPhone might charge to 80% or higher before the pack begins charging. 

The MagSafe battery pack requires iOS 14.7 or later, Apple says in a support document. The charge status can be viewed on the home screen or in Today View by adding the batteries widget.  

Like with its iPhones, Apple didn’t share the capacity of the MagSafe battery pack. The accessory is available for preorder now on Apple’s website and will be available beginning next week. 

Source: CNet