A new leak suggests that Apple is questioning the magnetic charging technology in the iPhone – five years after its introduction.
MagSafe has been considered one of the hallmarks of modern iPhones since the iPhone 12. Magnetic charging, a quick connection to cases, wallets, stands, and mounts – all of this has grown into a huge ecosystem over the years. That's precisely why a new leak is all the more surprising: according to a Chinese source, Apple is currently discussing internally what the future holds for MagSafe on the iPhone.
We have analyzed the details and show what might be behind the debate – and why a complete abandonment still seems unlikely.
What the leak specifically says
The information comes from Weibo leaker Instant Digital, who has a history of accurate Apple reports. According to him, Apple's initial enthusiasm for MagSafe was quite aggressive – the company wanted to roll out the technology as widely as possible. There were even plans to integrate MagSafe magnets into the iPad lineup. These plans have not been realized to date.
Mark Gurman of Bloomberg reported back in 2021 that Apple was testing an iPad Pro with a glass back and wireless charging. A prototype with a large glass Apple logo that would serve as a charging pad was also discussed. Neither concept ever made it into a product. Even the redesigned M4 iPad Pro from 2024 launched without MagSafe.
Instant Digital now reports that initial optimism has given way to uncertainty. Apple is reportedly weighing the cost of the magnets used in the iPhone against the strength of its accessory ecosystem. The exact nature of this internal debate and its potential outcome remain unclear.
Why the debate is arising now
The timing is no coincidence. Apple is in the midst of a period where every component is being scrutinized. Soaring memory prices are forcing Cupertino to cut costs elsewhere. We've already reported that Apple is lowering the specs of the next-generation iPhone 18. MagSafe could fit into this pattern.
A look back reveals that Apple has already done without magnets once before. The iPhone 16e launched without MagSafe – the first new iPhone in years to lack the feature. Many buyers resorted to cases with integrated magnetic rings, but the experience is generally considered noticeably inferior to the native solution. The criticism was significant, and Apple reversed course: MagSafe returned with the iPhone 17e.
The upcoming foldable iPhone Ultra also appears to be taking a different approach. Dummy models of the device show no visible cutouts for the magnetic assembly required for MagSafe. This is likely due to its extremely thick design of approximately 4.5 millimeters when unfolded.
What Apple now has to consider
The discussion isn't necessarily about a complete end to MagSafe. It's more likely that Apple is exploring different scenarios. One of them: MagSafe could become a premium feature and only be included in the more expensive iPhone Pro models. The standard iPhones would then do without the magnets – similar to the iPhone 16e.
Another scenario envisions Apple scaling back the implementation in the device itself and relying more heavily on cases with integrated magnets. This would be a step backward for many users, but would save costs.
A complete abandonment of MagSafe across the entire iPhone lineup is considered unlikely. The reason is technical: the widely used Qi2 charging standard is directly based on MagSafe's magnetic ring specification. Apple would therefore not only have to abandon its own ecosystem but also move away from the industry standard. That would be an unusual step.
What this means for users
For current iPhone buyers, there are no indications yet that MagSafe will be dropped from the Pro line. However, the ongoing debate shows that Apple no longer considers the feature a given. In recent years, MagSafe has been a central component of Apple's accessory strategy. The loss of this security feature will have repercussions – not only for future iPhones, but also for the entire third-party market for wallets, chargers, and mounts.
For the next iPhone generation, it's worth taking a closer look at the model tiers. If Apple does indeed only include MagSafe in the Pro models, the choice between a standard and a Pro iPhone will become significantly more relevant. We've summarized what other changes Apple is planning in our iPhone 18 Pro rumor overview.
MagSafe on the iPhone: What's next?
One thing is clear: Apple is at a turning point with MagSafe. What was once a futuristic feature has become an open question. Whether Apple sticks to its guns for the Pro line and only adapts the standard models, whether the iPhone Ultra will truly launch without magnets, or whether a compromise will ultimately be reached – the next few months will bring clarity.
It will be particularly interesting to see how Apple's new leadership handles these strategic questions. The first major decisions are already on the desk of the designated CEO. Read more in our analysis of the key issues John Ternus now has to address. (Image: Shutterstock / Yalcin Sonat)
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