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Apple’s New MagSafe Battery Has a Crush and It’s Only on the iPhone Air

But don't worry, Apple says you can still use it... with a cable

Abubakar Mohammed profile picture
by Abubakar Mohammed
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Apple iPhone Air with MagSafe Power Bank attached to the back

Image Credit: Beebom Gadgets

Summary

  • Apple's latest MagSafe battery pack works only with the iPhone Air and not on the iPhone 17 Pro.
  • While it fits the iPhone Air's unobstructive flat back, the camera module on the 17 Pro prevents it from snapping to the back.
  • The battery pack can still charge the iPhone 17 Pro via Type-C, defeating the purpose of MagSafe.

Contrary to Qi2's goal, Apple is apparently busy restricting its own accessories within its family. The latest iPhone drama unfolds around Apple's latest MagSafe battery pack, which was resurrected recently. The problem? It will only attach to the new iPhone Air.

Apple's new MagSafe battery pack is not compatible with the iPhone 17 Pro, and the reason for that is purely physical. The new battery pack was created to fit the unobstructive uniform chassis of the iPhone Air, but when used on the iPhone 17 Pro, the huge camera module gets in the way.

Apple MagSafe Accessories for 17 Pro, Air and 17
Image Credit: Apple
Apple MagSafe Accessories for 17 Pro, Air and 17
Image Credit: Apple

It's a classic case of one design's perfection creating another's incompatibility. However, to Apple's credit, the battery pack can still charge the iPhone 17 Pro via Type-C.

As much as it's thoughtful, it completely misses the point of MagSafe. It's also a bit ironic that it forces you back to the very cable MagSafe was meant to help you escape.

So where does that leave the Rs 11,900 MagSafe Battery Pack? Well, Apple says it can help the iPhone Air deliver 65% more battery, making it almost an essential accessory.

For everyone else, it serves as a perfect reminder of the firm's obsession with hyper-specific design, which creates walls inside the already walled ecosystem. Well, at least it's more useful than Apple's Microfibre cloth that sells for Rs 1,900.

While the perfect accessory exists for the iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro users are left to scour the internet. They must turn to third-party manufacturers who, ironically, seem to care more about design and create battery packs that fit the iPhone 17 Pro perfectly.

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Abubakar Mohammed profile picture
Abubakar Mohammed

Guides Writer

Expertise :

Abubakar is a seasoned Tech Journalist who covers everything Android and consumer electronics. He's a die-hard self-repair enthusiast who loves to dive into the specifics of consumer tech. In his free time, you will find him hunting heads in Valorant. He has previously worked with Android Police and How-to Geek.

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