MagSafe vs Qi Wireless Charging Technology: What’s the Difference?

MagSafe and Qi Wireless Charging Technology are two of the most popular ways to charge your devices. MagSafe has been around for a few years now and is used in many Apple products.

Qi Wireless Charging was developed by the Wireless Power Consortium and is becoming more popular as more phones come out with wireless charging capabilities.

But, what are the real differences between MagSafe and Qi Wireless Charging, and how do they affect you as a tech user?

Let’s find out!

How Does Wireless Charging Work?

At its core, wireless charging works the same, whatever technology you use.

The process uses a science known as electromagnetic induction. This is where the wireless charger creates a magnetic field that transfers electrical energy that is then absorbed by your phone or another type of electronic device that has compatible technology.

However, this process can vary in terms of speed, power transfer rates, and performance, depending on whether you’re using MagSafe or Qi Wireless charging technology.

What is MagSafe Technology?

MagSafe is a proprietary charging standard developed by Apple. 

MagSafe uses precisely aligned magnets to attach the charger to the device and has a maximum charging speed of up to 15W, making charging faster for Apple devices. 

However, these speeds only apply to devices with 20W or above power capabilities. If you’re wirelessly charging on the move using a MagSafe Battery Pack, you’ll receive charging speeds of 7.5W, as defined by the Apple website.

MagSafe technology is only available on iPhone 12 models and above, and compatible devices will display the ‘MagSafe compatible’ tag somewhere on the device.

What is Qi Wireless Charging?

Qi Wireless Charging is an open standard that is developed by the Wireless Power Consortium and is pretty much the open standard for most major phone manufacturers and brands.

Compared to MagSafe Charging, Qi charging uses inductive charging, which means that it uses an electromagnetic field to transfer energy between the charger and the device by temporarily changing the copper coils found in the charger and device, creating a transformer design that conducts an electronic flow.

Qi chargers have a maximum charging speed of up to 15W, but most manufacturers opt for 7.5W and 10W charging rates for affordability and general performance reasons.

So, what does this all mean for you?

Well, if you’re an iPhone user, then MagSafe is the way to go. MagSafe is faster and more convenient than Qi Wireless Charging and is also compatible with Apple’s MagSafe Power Bank.

If you have a Qi-enabled device, then Qi Wireless Charging is the way to go. Qi is an open standard, meaning there are many more Qi chargers out there than MagSafe chargers.

Apple devices are compatible with both MagSafe chargers and Qi chargers, but you may experience limited charging speeds, whereas Qi-compatible devices are not fully compatible with MagSafe tech. 

However, if you’re looking for an all-rounded experience that provides optimal charging speeds, whatever brand or device you’re using, check out the VEGER Magon Wireless Power Bank.

This ultra-strong magnet supports incredible speeds of 15W regardless of whether you’re charging a modern MagSafe Apple device or a high-end Android device with a Qi-enabled device.

With a high-capacity 10,000mAh design weighing in at only 170g, a trickle-charging system for smaller gadgets, and built-in intelligent charging protections that protect your device from overcurrent, overheating, and overcharging risks, gone are the days of worrying about which power bank is best for your device.

Instead, just enjoy the benefits of a universal power bank that can offer the best possible experience, whatever device you’re using.