Apple’s MagSafe charging system offers a whole new way to charge iPhones, and third-party companies like Anker are taking the chance to make their own magnetic chargers – both the official ones that work with the Apple system and the unofficial ones that just take out advantage of the magnetic configuration.
Anker’s $ 22 charger falls into the second category: it is not an official MagSafe charger, which means it does not offer the fastest charging speed of 15W or the sophisticated NFC tricks like “official” MagSafe products. But even with that load limit of 7.5 W, the Anker charger Look much like Apple’s, at least at first glance. Look more closely at the other end of the plug, however, and there is an obvious difference: the Anker model has an unusually large USB-C plug.
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This is because the Anker charger is actually just a normal Qi charger in a different shape, which moves the wiring and chips to the plug to reduce the size of the actual charging base. The project also helps to reduce heat, according to the company. It may seem strange, but if you think of it less as a charging cable and more as a miniature Qi charger, it’s really impressive to see what Anker has achieved here.
The new charger is also just Anker’s first effort. The company says the stock will be limited, but is already working on updated magnetic charger models, which are expected to be out in about a month.
On the one hand, the Anker charger is a clear indication of the limits of Apple’s MagSafe program. Third-party companies that are unable to create official products need to find creative alternative solutions, such as the giant Anker plug. On the other hand, Anker’s charger is a first generation product, so these alternatives are likely to get better over time. And for $ 22 – almost half what Apple charges for an official MagSafe charger, the slower charging speed can be a worthwhile exchange for the lower price, especially as the designs continue to get more and more refined .