These days, more and more apps use location services and we spend more time on social media, so even though smartphone batteries have grown in capacity, it’s common for a charge not to last a full day.
At the same time, with things like mobile payments, running out of battery has become a real problem in daily life. As a result, demand for portable batteries is greater now than it used to be.
What is MagSafe?
With an ordinary portable battery, you also need a cable to connect it to your phone, which means carrying more stuff. On top of that, the battery itself is fairly heavy, so the whole thing is a bit of a hassle.
Some batteries come with a built-in cable, but the cable is short, so they aren’t well suited to using your phone while it charges.
Recently, Apple introduced MagSafe—magnet-based wireless charging—starting with the iPhone 12 series.
Magnets are embedded in the back of the phone so the wireless charger snaps into place, which means there’s no risk of it slipping out of alignment.
MagSafe has been included since the iPhone 12, and some models don’t support it (the iPhone SE, for example). However, if your phone supports wireless charging, you can buy a MagSafe-compatible case and use MagSafe accessories with it.
The magnetic hold isn’t noticeably weaker either—it’s very strong. (I actually use this setup with an iPhone SE 3.)
The Anker 622 Magnetic Battery is just too good
MagSafe accessories include chargers and phone grips, but personally I think a portable battery is the best choice.
There are several MagSafe portable batteries out there, and the best of them is the Anker 622.
Some models are just plain batteries, but this one doubles as a stand.
You can also turn charging on and off with a button on the battery, so you can leave it attached and charge only when you need to—meaning it works as a stand on its own. And since the magnet is circular, you can also use your phone in landscape orientation.
The magnet is strong enough that the battery won’t fall off even if you shake the phone, yet it comes off easily when you want to remove it—just the right strength.
It comes in plenty of colors, and the size and weight are modest enough that they don’t get in the way. Excellent all around.
As for the all-important charging speed: it isn’t as fast as a wired connection, but it’s fast enough that the battery percentage still climbs while you’re watching YouTube.
What’s more, you can charge the battery while it’s attached to and charging your phone (pass-through charging), which effectively gives you the same experience as if the iPhone’s charging port were USB-C.
The downsides are, as you’d expect, the weight and the charging speed.
There’s no getting around the added weight—it’s heavier than the phone alone, so you definitely notice it in your pocket.
And since charging isn’t fast, it’s best to think of it as an extended battery for your phone.
It’s been a while since I came across a product this good, so I wanted to share it.