Rumors about an iPhone 12 battery accessory from Apple are starting to gain ground. Apple has offered a smart battery case for several previous iPhones, but this year Apple can use the MagSafe system to provide a unique experience for iPhone 12 users … what do you want to see from Apple?
The rumor
Bloomberg reported earlier today that Apple is developing a new attachment for magnetic batteries for the iPhone 12. The report explains that Apple has been developing these new accessories ‘for at least a year’, and that it’s scheduled to launch in the months following the release of the iPhone 12 line. ”
The report explains:
The battery pack would be attached to the back of an iPhone 12 using the MagSafe system, which uses all the new phones to charge and pair other accessories such as suitcases and wallets. Some prototypes of the battery pack have a white rubber side, says one of the people who asked not to be identified because the product has not yet been revealed. The new accessory will differ from Apple battery add-ons for previous iPhones, as it only offers extra battery life and does not serve as a complete protective case.
In terms of magnetic strength, the report states that the MagSafe battery ‘was strong enough to hold the charging unit in place.’
That said, Bloomberg warns that the development of the MagSafe battery pack has been delayed by software peculiarities. Specifically, one error causes iOS to incorrectly indicate that the package is overheated.
History lesson
As Bloomberg note, this new MagSafe battery pack would be a departure from Apple’s previous Smart Battery Case design. For example, it offers no protection for the iPhone, although it can be used with a separate MagSafe case.
Here’s Apple’s history with smart battery cases for the iPhone:
- iPhone 6s Smart Battery Case – December 8, 2015
- iPhone 7 slim battery case – 14 September 2016
- iPhone XS Smart Battery Case – January 15, 2019
- iPhone 11 slim battery case – 20 November 2019
The iPhone 12 was later launched as iPhones usually do, with Apple baffling the October and November release. This could mean that the iPhone 12 MagSafe battery will be launched later than the previous versions, or that Apple will remove the project altogether due to the above development barriers.
What do you want from Apple’s battery accessory for the iPhone 12? Do you prefer a traditional Smart battery or a MagSafe battery? Let us know in the poll below and in the comments!
FTC: We use revenue to earn automatically affiliate links. More.
Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news: