Apple is reportedly developing a new iPhone charging accessory in the form of a battery that attaches magnetically to the back of the device using MagSafe, Bloomberg reports. Although some prototypes have a rubberized exterior, the battery should not function as a protective cover like the previous battery accessories on Apple’s iPhone. Along with the details of the new battery case, Bloomberg also notes that the iPhone line is unlikely to receive support for wireless reverse charging anytime soon.
The battery accessory is believed to have been in development for at least a year, but he would have faced development problems related to iPhone software thinking the battery is overheating. Bloomberg notes that Apple is cautious about announcing charging accessories after it was forced to cancel its AirPower charging mat in 2019, a year and a half after its first announcement. Development problems can mean that the new battery accessory is delayed or even discarded.
The charging pack would be the latest in Apple’s iPhone 12 MagSafe accessory line, which is attached to the back of the phone with the help of a built-in magnet circle. Previous accessories included wall chargers, as well as magnetic fastening wallets. MagSafe is said to be returning to Apple laptops too, with just a connector that resembles the old tablet-shaped design.
Rumors about the new battery first arose after a reference to it was found in the iOS 14.5 beta code, MacRumors reported earlier this week. Bloomberg notes that the reference was later removed.
Like the new battery, Apple is interested in allowing its devices to charge each other. Bloomberg notes that it had planned that its 2019 iPhone line could charge AirPods wirelessly, but the plans were later discarded. The functionality is “unlikely in the near future”, according to Bloomberg.
Other accessory manufacturers are already trying to offer functionality similar to the rumor pack MagSafe battery. 9to5Mac reported about one such package last year, which was being sold on Alibaba and Aliexpress under a variety of names.