Real World Tests With Apple's New MagSafe 2 Charger - Should You Get One?

Summary

The new 25W MagSafe 2 charger from Apple promises faster charging, claiming up to 50% in 30 minutes for iPhone 16 models. While tests show improvements—46% for the iPhone 16 Pro and 43% for the Pro Max—earlier models see less benefit. Compared to previous MagSafe and third-party chargers, it offers only modest gains, often at a higher price. Concerns about fluctuating charge rates may affect battery health, prompting the reviewer to advise potential buyers to hold off on purchasing until software issues are resolved. Overall, the MagSafe 2 charger shows promise but warrants caution.

Takeaways

• ⚡ Fast Charging: The new 25W MagSafe 2 charger claims to provide about 50% charge in 30 minutes for iPhone 16 models.
• 📉 Limited Improvement: Charging speed significantly improves for iPhone 16 models but not for older devices, which are recommended to upgrade.
• 🔋 Comparison to Previous Chargers: The MagSafe 2 charger is about 12% to 26% faster than the original 15W MagSafe charger for iPhone 16 models.
• 💰 Cost vs. Benefit: The new charger is 2.5 times more expensive than some older MagSafe-compatible options, raising questions about value.
• 🚗 Performance with Third-party Chargers: Testing shows the MagSafe 2 charger performs similarly to various third-party chargers.
• 🌡️ Temperature Stability: The new charger runs cooler compared to many third-party options, which can help in maintaining device battery health.
• 📊 Charge Graphs: There are significant fluctuations in charging wattage with the iPhone 16, raising concerns about battery health.
• 🧑‍🔬 Reviewer Perspective: The presenter emphasizes their role as a reviewer, not an influencer, and prioritizes providing accurate information.
• ❓ Future Updates: The presenter suspects that the charging irregularities may be due to software issues that Apple might resolve in future updates.
• 🔍 Product Recommendations: The video includes references to other products reviewed by the presenter for viewers seeking reliable charging accessories.

Q & A

What is the main feature of the new 25W MagSafe 2 charger?

The new 25W MagSafe 2 charger is designed to provide faster charging speeds for iPhones, claiming to achieve approximately 50% charge in 30 minutes.

How does the charging speed of MagSafe 2 compare to the original MagSafe charger?

The original MagSafe charger delivers about 22% charge in 30 minutes, while the MagSafe 2 charger offers significantly faster speeds, especially for iPhone 16 models.

What were the charging results for the iPhone 16 Pro with the MagSafe 2 charger?

The iPhone 16 Pro achieved approximately 46% charge in 30 minutes using the MagSafe 2 charger.

What concerns does the reviewer express regarding the MagSafe 2 charger's performance?

The reviewer notes fluctuations in power delivery and higher operating temperatures, which may negatively impact the battery health of the iPhone 16 models.

How does the new MagSafe 2 charger compare against T2 chargers?

The MagSafe 2 charger is faster than most T2 chargers, achieving up to 31% faster charging for car chargers and 44% faster for multi-chargers.

Is the MagSafe 2 charger compatible with older iPhone models?

While the MagSafe 2 charger works with older models, Apple suggests that users of devices older than the iPhone 15 consider upgrading for optimal performance.

What is the price difference between the MagSafe 2 charger and the best MagSafe-compatible chargers?

The MagSafe 2 charger is approximately 2.5 times more expensive than the best MagSafe-compatible chargers available.

What did the reviewer recommend regarding the purchase of the MagSafe 2 charger?

The reviewer advises against purchasing the MagSafe 2 charger for now, citing concerns over battery health due to charging irregularities.

What was the performance of the MagSafe 2 charger with the iPhone 15 Pro models?

The MagSafe 2 charger delivered around 40% charge in 30 minutes for the iPhone 15 models, indicating improved speed compared to older chargers.

What is the significance of the charging curves observed during testing?

The reviewer found the charging curves for the iPhone 16 models to be inconsistent, which could indicate potential issues with the battery management system in these devices.