iPhone Air: Why the MagSafe battery only charges to 65 percent

The iPhone Air already caused a stir with its slim design and use of titanium. Now the iPhone Air MagSafe battery is causing a stir after a teardown by iFixit revealed some interesting details. Particularly noteworthy: The battery in the accessory is apparently the same as the one in the iPhone Air itself.

At just 5.6 millimeters thick, the iPhone Air is considered the thinnest iPhone to date. The question of how Apple would manage the power supply for such a compact device was already raised at the time of its launch. Things get even more intriguing when you look at the iPhone Air MagSafe battery pack, which serves as a complementary accessory. iFixit disassembled the product and revealed how closely the device and accessory are technically connected.

The battery in the iPhone Air MagSafe battery

When disassembling the MagSafe battery, iFixit discovered that the battery has an unusual shape. A direct comparison with the battery installed in the iPhone Air revealed strong parallels. Both batteries have a capacity of 12.26 Wh and are only 2.72 millimeters thick. This makes the battery so thin that it fits easily into the iPhone Air's casing.

Charging power and energy loss

Despite having the same capacity, the iPhone Air MagSafe battery can only charge the smartphone to around 65 percent. This isn't due to the battery itself, but rather to the unavoidable energy losses that occur during wireless charging. While the iPhone Air can utilize the full capacity of its internal battery, the available power drops noticeably when using the MagSafe battery.

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Differences in construction

Another issue concerns the construction. The iPhone Air MagSafe battery is thicker than the iPhone Air itself. iFixit believes Apple chose this size as the necessary minimum to ensure a functional product. In addition, the battery in the accessory is encased in plastic. In contrast, the iPhone Air's battery is embedded in a sturdy titanium frame, which provides additional durability.

Synergies between iPhone Air and MagSafe battery

iFixit's teardown reveals that Apple uses the same battery for the iPhone Air and the MagSafe battery pack. This underscores its strategy of using components as efficiently as possible and creating synergies between the device and its accessories. At the same time, the difference in charging clearly demonstrates that wireless power transfer is still associated with losses. For the iPhone Air, this represents consistent technical implementation, but for the MagSafe battery pack, it slightly limits its everyday usability. The best products for you: Our Amazon storefront offers a wide selection of accessories, including those for HomeKit. (Image: Apple)