Apple is resurrecting a MagSafe battery pack, but with a twist: it’s true for only the new iPhone Air. The $99 add‑on is tailor‑conditioned to atone for the Air’s extremes of thinness with countless reinforcement, and hints at an also-iPhone-targeted, one‑device‑only policy rather than a broad solution for the iPhone.
In other words: If you’ve got your eyes on an iPhone 17 or 17 Pro, this accessory isn’t for you. “Exclusively” for iPhone Air, is how Apple describes the pack though, as multiple outlets observed one the listing went live.
For Thinnest iPhone
The iPhone Air’s party trick is that it is ultra thin — 5.6 millimeters — which would make it the thinnest iPhone Apple has shipped. That design also means the battery has been downsized to just 3,149 mAh, when compared to smaller recent models, not even current generation flagships. Apple continues to promise “all‑day battery life,” but the custom MagSafe pack is the life raft for heavier users.
Why the one‑model lock? Apple hasn’t given a technical explanation, but The Verge’s coverage notes Apple’s own product language, and 9to5Mac’s reporting offers physical limitations as the likely cause. The iPhone 17 and 17 Pro families will have even larger, differently arranged camera humps; a pack contoured for the Air’s back plate just might not fit perfectly — or at all — on the other models.
What You Get With the New MagSafe Battery
According to Apple, the iPhone Air MagSafe Battery will add enough video streaming time for 22 hours to increase to 35 hours when both phone and pack are charged fully. It also promises an added 65% charge capacity for the Air, real‑world headroom for travel days, heavy navigation or camera days.
The pack attaches with MagSafe and has a USB‑C port. So it might be able to charge some other devices over USB‑C with a cable, offering more versatile utility than the previous generation, according to reporting by 9to5Mac. For the quickest top‑off on the Air itself, Apple recommends connecting the pack and charging the accessory by way of a 20W or higher adapter, effectively giving the phone first dibs on the accessory.
The iPhone Air can charge wirelessly at up to 20W via Qi2, and while Apple hasn’t disclosed a separate wattage rating for this pad, Qi2’s magnet‑assisted alignment enhances charging efficiency and consistency compared to older coils—key for small batteries where thermal management and every percentage point counts.
How It’s Different From the Old Pack
Apple’s previous MagSafe Battery Pack, which was discontinued in 2023, was compatible with the iPhone 12, 13 and 14 lineups. Mixed reviews praised its modest speeds and bemoaned its price premium. This new version has turned that on its head; what was once a broadly‑compatible accessory has been fine‑tuned to a device’s very geometry and power profile.
And the market around it has changed. Qi2 has launched a flood of magnet-equipped power banks, from brands like Anker or Belkin, which cost between $50–$80, based on capacity and features. Apple’s $99 price reflects close integration — lockscreen animations, battery widgets, optimized charge behavior — that third‑party packs can’t necessarily meet quite as well, even if they’re also based around the same magnetic standard.
Who Should Consider It
If you’re selecting the iPhone Air because it’s thin and hardly there, yet are concerned about your get‑stuff‑done days, this pack is the no-brainer add-on. It is especially for travelers, commuters, shoot video creators and makers wanting a folding plug for their drone, DSLR camera or camera charger, and anyone who prefers a snap‑on solution to carrying a cable and brick.
Owners of iPhone 17 or 17 Pro models, keep looking. Apple’s pack won’t stick, and third‑party Qi2 power banks might deliver more bang for your buck with wider compatibility. If you’re an Air user, bear in mind that some slim MagSafe cases hold fast while in position; with a bulkier case or a non‑MagSafe case, the strength of the hold may decrease. Here, as with any magnetic charger, you’ll get the best results when the phone and pack are cool and well-laid-out; heat will clam up the juicing process regardless of who made the charger.
Bottom line: Apple is taking another crack at a battery with its MagSafe battery and is avoiding a one-size-fits-most approach.
By tuning for a distinct ultra‑thin iPhone, the company is exchanging generality for fit and finish, for reliable performance — an Apple‑ish way to address the Air’s most blatant trade‑off.