MagSafe in the iPhone 12 family has been useful primarily for wallets and charging stations, but Apple is apparently ready to extend this functionality in smart directions. Bloomberg sources say Apple is developing a MagSafe battery that would charge your iPhone 12 wirelessly (and, presumably, future iPhones). Unlike previous Apple batteries, this would not work as a case – not necessarily as elegant, but useful if you have a preferred case and only occasionally need a backup.
Apple declined to comment, but developer Steve Moser got that that iOS 14.5 beta has temporarily referenced a battery.
It is not clear whether he will or not. The prototype battery add-on is supposed to remain in place, but it currently has problems with false overheating alerts, as well as switching between a ‘naked’ iPhone and a case. Failures like these are not unprecedented in hardware development, but apparently they are enough for Apple to delay or cancel the project. Keep in mind that Apple ended up discarding the AirPower despite announcing it on stage – it may have few reservations about filing an external battery that did not make an official debut.
There are incentives to continue working on this. The package could serve as a poster boy for MagSafe, which drives sales of iPhones and their accessories. It would certainly be useful to carry the cordless phone while it is still in your pocket. It may just be a matter of practicality. If the accessory loads very slowly or has a very high premium, it can be more difficult to sell, no matter how convenient the magnetic connection is.