Images purporting to reveal the original version of Apple's MagSafe charger today surfaced online, providing a look at how the company conceived of the accessory over two and a half years before its release.
The images, shared by the Apple leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami," claim to show the original version of the MagSafe charger that Apple considered launching. The prototype has a production date of March 2017, a key period in the development of Apple's AirPower wireless charging mat. This version of MagSafe was apparently developed directly alongside AirPower.
The earlier version of MagSafe for iPhone features a rubberized outer shell that feels similar to the base of the HomePod, rounded edges, a different array of magnets with opposite magnetism, and a large Apple logo. It is apparently the same approximate size as the final version, but noticeably thinner. The design language distinctively harks back to an earlier period in Apple's history that more generously used white rubberized plastics and featured its logo more prominently.
Unreleased prototype of MagSafe Charger. It’s super rare yet interesting. Featured different design, magnetic placement, and materials used. Produced around Mar. 2017, which same the AirPower does. Project started over after its cancellation. Infos in last pic. #appleinternalpic.twitter.com/lxTQqhgk5s
— Kosutami (@KosutamiSan) January 10, 2024
Following the cancelation of AirPower in March 2019, Apple apparently revisited this earlier MagSafe concept and rebooted the project. It ultimately launched with the design we know today alongside the iPhone 12 in October 2020, seeming to taking direct inspiration from the Apple Watch's charger with a thicker silver aluminum outer shell, flat sides, and no Apple logo.
The ultimately released version of MagSafe for iPhone (2020).
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has high expectations for Apple's first foldable iPhone.
In his Power On newsletter today, he said the foldable iPhone will be "the most significant overhaul in the iPhone's history."
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Apple's upcoming "HomePad" will offer a magnetic snap-to-wall feature and more, according to the leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami."
In a new post on X, Kosutami said that one of the HomePad prototypes features a MagSafe-like snap-to-wall capability, along with doorbell integration. It is said to be heavily reliant on Apple Intelligence. They apparently saw this prototype in...
Tuesday March 17, 2026 12:49 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Repair site iFixit today took apart the iPhone 17e, which is the new low-cost iPhone that Apple launched last Wednesday. The iPhone 17e is almost identical to the iPhone 16e in design, but it does include a MagSafe back panel that supports MagSafe and faster Qi charging than the iPhone 16e.
When disassembling the iPhone 17e, iFixit found that the MagSafe panel for the device is the same...
Thursday March 19, 2026 4:03 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Luxury brand Hermès has a new series of MagSafe-compatible chargers for the iPhone and Apple Watch, with prices that are higher than the cost of an iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The $1,250 Paddock Solo Charger is a magnetic charger that works with a single device, while the $1,750 Paddock Duo can charge an Apple Watch and iPhone at the same time. The $1,750 Paddock Yoyo is also a dual charger, but it...
I love the tactile feeling (even better if accompanied by the iOS chime) of the MagSafe charging disc when attaching to iPhone. It's also particularly nice to 'push' the disc off iPhone when a silicone MagSafe case is attached.
This kind of stuff that Apple do so well seems to be under appreciated.
Literally cleaner, as the white rubbery one would have become dirty over time.
Not just dirtier but would slowly wear overtime due to friction and heat. We've seen the longterm damage Apple's old rubber accessories used to go through, especially the Mac's original magsafe. There's a reason for Magsafe 3 they went with woven cables instead of rubber.
Not just dirtier but would slowly wear overtime due to friction and heat. We've seen the longterm damage Apple's old rubber accessories used to go through, especially the Mac's original magsafe. There's a reason for Magsafe 3 they went with woven cables instead of rubber.
Apple switched to woven for all of their power adapter cables across the entire product line likely for this reason. Their old proprietary power adapters were notorious for failing. I think the I replaced the "UFO" power adapter on my old Pismo PowerBook G3 at least 3 times in the six years I had it. All of my MagSafe MacBooks had to have the power adapters replaced at least once, sometimes twice. To me the biggest win from Apple wasn't the return of MagSafe 3, it's the fact that the power cable between the brick and the laptop are now replaceable without discarding the whole charger.
Apple switched to woven for all of their power adapter cables across the entire product line likely for this reason. Their old proprietary power adapters were notorious for failing. I think the I replaced the "UFO" power adapter on my old Pismo PowerBook G3 at least 3 times in the six years I had it. All of my MagSafe MacBooks had to have the power adapters replaced at least once, sometimes twice. To me the biggest win from Apple wasn't the return of MagSafe 3, it's the fact that the power cable between the brick and the laptop are now replaceable without discarding the whole charger.
That problem with the rubber sheathing, especially at the point when it entered the brick or similar object was so problematic. Why did it take Apple such a long time to switch out of that rubber sheathing? You see the issue also with Lightning cables at the Lightning end. Over time, it is possible for that rubber sheathing close to that tip to sort of bulge out, possible because of the rubber bending back and forth over time. Terrible.
And, we're not talking about cheap cables either! These cables, relative to other brands, are on the expensive range.
The ultimately released version of MagSafe for iPhone (2020).
