Apple just announced a MagSafe battery pack for the iPhone 12

Apple's added to its range of iPhone 12-ready MagSafe accessories with a snap-on battery pack that will give your handset a bit of extra juice on the go. Much like other MagSafe accessories, the MagSafe Battery Pack magnetically connects to the back of any iPhone 12 or MagSafe-ready case. Apple does however note the Battery Pack may mark leather cases.

The MagSafe Battery Pack has a 1,460mAh battery inside, which is on the smaller side for an external battery. Even if you don't factor in the energy spent charging, it's not quite large enough to fully recharge any iPhone 12. The iPhone 12 mini has a 2,227mAh battery, for example. Apple hasn't provided any figures on how much charge you can expect from the MagSafe Battery Pack.

While the MagSafe standard supports fast charging at up to 15W, the Battery Pack is limited to 5W speeds to prevent your phone or the pack itself from overheating. As such, you shouldn't expect a fast top-up from the MagSafe Battery Pack. The MagSafe Battery pack can however work as a 15W wireless charge if you plug in a Lightning cable. A cable and power brick aren't included, however.

If you've got your Battery Pack connected to your iPhone 12, your iPhone 12 will also recharge the battery pack after you top it up past 80%.

The MagSafe Battery Pack is available to order now for $139 with orders shipping from the start of next week.

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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