Apple is working on MagSafe-compatible batteries that will be compatible with iPhone 12 models, and leaker Jon Prosser said on the Genius Bar podcast today that a version of the battery will have “reverse charge”.
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According to Prosser, Apple is working on two versions of the batteries, one that is a standard version and another that is a premium version with reverse charge. Prosser does not go into detail about reverse charging, but presumably this means that the battery will be able to charge an iPhone 12 while charging the AirPods on the other side at the same time.
Prosser has a mixed track record when it comes to predicting Apple’s plans and is not always accurate, so the reliability of this information is unclear and should be viewed with some skepticism until it is confirmed. Prosser says his source “is not sure” whether Apple will release both batteries or if only one will be released, so we may not see a reverse-charged version. Later this week, Prosser plans to release renderings of the batteries based on information from its source.
Apple’s work on the PiPhone 12 batteries was evident in mid-February, after the release of the second iOS 14.5 beta. There was a mention of a mysterious “battery” discovered in the code by MacRumors contributor Steve Moser, and Bloomberg later confirmed that Apple is actually working on a SaiPhone 12 MagSafe battery.
Gurman did not mention the possibility of reverse loading, but some of the prototypes have been described as having a white rubber exterior. Gurman said the development of the accessory was hampered by software problems that Apple is still working on fixing before launching the accessory.
There were rumors of bilateral wireless charging for the 2019 iPhone 11 models, but it didn’t end up being a feature implemented by Apple because the company was unable to make it work. Bidirectional wireless charging would have allowed an iPhone to charge another iPhone or a small accessory like AirPods.