Short answer: MagSafe is Apple's magnetic system, built into iPhone 12 and every iPhone since, that snaps chargers and accessories onto the back of your phone and charges wirelessly at up to 15W. Qi2 is the new industry standard that copies the same idea, a ring of magnets plus 15W wireless charging, so a single Qi2 charger now works on iPhones and the latest magnetic Android phones. The newest tier, Qi2.2 (branded "Qi2 25W"), pushes magnetic wireless charging up to 25W on the iPhone 16 line and newer. If you want the fastest, best-aligned wireless charging, look for "MagSafe", "Qi2" or "Qi2 25W" on the box. Below is how it works and the accessories worth buying.
In this article
- What is MagSafe and how does it work?
- What is Qi2, and how is it different?
- What is Qi2.2 (Qi2 25W)?
- Does MagSafe work on Android?
- The best MagSafe and Qi2 accessories to buy
- Do you need a MagSafe case?
- How to choose a MagSafe charger
- FAQ
What is MagSafe and how does it work?
MagSafe is a ring of magnets built into the back of your iPhone, sitting around the wireless charging coil. When you bring a MagSafe charger close, the magnets pull it into perfect alignment over the coil and hold it there. That alignment is the clever part: it means the charger never sits slightly off-centre (the usual reason a phone charges slowly or not at all on a basic wireless pad), so you get faster, more reliable charging plus a whole ecosystem of accessories that snap on and stay put.
Apple introduced MagSafe with the iPhone 12 in 2020, and every iPhone since (13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 families, plus iPhone Air) has it built in. MagSafe charges at up to 15W, and beyond charging the magnets let you attach wallets, stands, car mounts, power banks and grips without a sticky pad or clip.
What is Qi2, and how is it different from MagSafe?
Qi2 (say "chee two") is the latest version of the global Qi wireless charging standard, and it essentially takes MagSafe's best idea and makes it universal. Qi2 adds a "Magnetic Power Profile", a ring of magnets for perfect alignment, plus up to 15W charging. In practice a Qi2 charger and a MagSafe charger do the same job. The difference is that Qi2 is an open standard, so one Qi2 charger can fast-charge a MagSafe iPhone and a Qi2 Android phone alike. Here is how the three compare.
| Feature | Standard Qi | MagSafe | Qi2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magnetic alignment | No | Yes | Yes |
| Typical max speed | 5 to 7.5W on iPhone | Up to 25W on iPhone 16 Series and newer (15W before) | Up to 15W (25W via Qi2.2) |
| Snap-on accessories | No | Yes | Yes |
| Works across brands | Yes | iPhone-focused | Yes (iPhone + Qi2 Android) |
Bottom line: for an iPhone, "MagSafe" and "Qi2" both give you fast, magnetic 15W charging. Qi2 is just the badge that also covers the newest Android phones, which is why most new magnetic chargers are now sold as Qi2.
Charges your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods from one plug, then folds flat to travel. The easiest, best-value way to go all-in-one.
What is Qi2.2 (Qi2 25W)?
Qi2.2 is the newest version of the standard, and the Wireless Power Consortium has branded it "Qi2 25W". As the name says, it lifts magnetic wireless charging from 15W up to 25W, around 70% more power, with smarter charger-to-device communication and better heat management so that speed is sustained. It was announced in mid 2025, and the first Qi2 25W certified chargers began arriving from late 2025 into 2026.
To actually charge at 25W you need three things: a phone that supports it, a Qi2 25W (Qi2.2) certified charger, and a 30W or higher USB-C power adapter to feed the charger. Pair a 25W-capable phone with an ordinary 15W Qi2 charger and it simply charges at 15W.
Which devices support Qi2.2 25W? On the Apple side it is the iPhone 16 line and newer: the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, the iPhone 17 range and the iPhone Air. The one exception is the iPhone 16e, which stays at the slower speed. On the Android side, select recent flagships such as newer Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel models are gaining Qi2 25W support. Everything older still works on a Qi2 25W charger, just at its own maximum speed.
One of the first Qi2.2 chargers in our range. Locks onto an iPhone 16 or newer and charges at the full 25W, with active cooling to hold that speed on the road.
Does MagSafe work on Android?
Officially, MagSafe is an Apple feature, so the "MagSafe" name belongs to iPhone. But the technology behind it is now open to everyone through Qi2. Newer Android phones that are Qi2 certified, including recent Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel models, have the same magnetic ring and will snap onto and fast-charge from a Qi2 charger. If your Android phone supports Qi2 (or you add a Qi2 magnetic case), the magnetic chargers in this guide will work for you too. Older Android phones without magnets can still charge on these pads, just without the snap-on alignment and usually at a slower speed.
The best MagSafe and Qi2 accessories to buy in 2026
Here are the accessories that get the most out of a magnetic iPhone or Qi2 Android phone, grouped by what they do. Our overall pick is the iQuick foldable 3-in-1 above: it does the all-in-one job for the least money and packs away for travel.
Best premium charging stand (home or desk)
If you want a fixed stand that lives on the desk or bedside table, a premium 3-in-1 keeps your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods charged from one tidy base. The Belkin BoostCharge Pro is our top pick at the full 15W, and the Aukey MagFusion adds active cooling so the phone holds top speed instead of throttling when it warms up.
Charges your iPhone at the full 15W, plus your Apple Watch and AirPods, all from one premium stand.
A magnetic charging station with active cooling, so your iPhone holds top charging speed instead of throttling when it warms up.
Best magnetic power bank (charge on the go)
A magnetic power bank snaps onto the back of your phone and tops it up while you keep using it, no dangling cable. It is the most useful accessory for travel, long days out, or festival season. Look for Qi2 15W and enough capacity for a full top-up.
A 5,000mAh magnetic power bank that snaps on and fast-charges at 15W. Pocket-sized backup for days away from a plug.
Cases, wallets and grips
Magnetic accessories go well beyond charging. A MagSafe wallet snaps onto the back to carry a few cards, and a MagSafe case keeps the magnetic ring strong even on phones that do not have one built in. Browse the full range of magnetic cases, wallets and mounts in our Mobile Accessories collection.
Do you need a MagSafe case to use MagSafe?
No, not on an iPhone. Because the magnets are built into the phone itself, MagSafe and Qi2 chargers snap on and charge even with no case at all. A case matters in two situations. First, if you use a thick or metal-backed case that is not MagSafe rated, it can weaken the magnetic grip or block charging, so choose a case labelled "MagSafe compatible". Second, on an Android phone or an older device without built-in magnets, a Qi2 or MagSafe case adds the magnetic ring so accessories will snap on. In short: iPhone owners do not need a special case, but the case you use should be MagSafe friendly.
How to choose a MagSafe or Qi2 charger
Three quick checks before you buy:
- Look for "Qi2" or "MagSafe" (or "Qi2 25W" for 25W). This guarantees the magnetic ring and fast charging. A plain "wireless" or "Qi" pad without magnets will be slower and will not align itself.
- Match it to your devices. If you have an Apple Watch and AirPods, a 3-in-1 stand is best value. If you are often out and about, add a magnetic power bank.
- Check the wattage and the plug. Aim for 15W, or 25W if you have an iPhone 16 or newer and a Qi2 25W charger, and make sure a compatible USB-C power adapter is included or that you already have one (30W or higher for 25W charging), since some chargers ship without the wall plug.
Frequently asked questions
Is MagSafe the same as Qi2?
Almost. MagSafe is Apple's magnetic charging system for iPhone. Qi2 is the open industry standard that uses the same magnetic ring and up to 15W charging, so it works across iPhone and newer Qi2 Android phones. On an iPhone, a Qi2 charger and a MagSafe charger perform the same.
Which iPhones have MagSafe?
Every iPhone from the iPhone 12 (2020) onward has MagSafe built in, including the iPhone 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 ranges and the iPhone Air. Older models can add it with a MagSafe case.
Does MagSafe charge faster than a normal wireless charger?
Yes. MagSafe and Qi2 charge an iPhone at up to 15W, while a basic Qi pad usually tops out around 5 to 7.5W. The magnets also keep the charger perfectly aligned, so you avoid the slow or failed charging you get when a phone sits slightly off-centre on a flat pad.
Will a MagSafe charger work with my Samsung or Pixel?
If your phone is Qi2 certified (many recent Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel models are), yes, it will snap on and fast-charge. If it is an older Android without magnets, it will still charge on the pad, just without the magnetic snap and usually more slowly. A Qi2 magnetic case can add the snap-on alignment.
Which iPhones support 25W Qi2.2 (Qi2 25W) charging?
The iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, the iPhone 17 range and the iPhone Air can all charge wirelessly at 25W. The iPhone 16e is the exception and stays at 15W. To reach 25W you need a Qi2 25W (Qi2.2) certified charger plus a 30W or higher USB-C power adapter. These phones all still work on a standard 15W Qi2 charger, just at 15W.
Do MagSafe accessories drain my battery faster?
No. Attaching a wallet, grip or stand uses no power. A magnetic power bank obviously transfers charge to your phone, but simply having MagSafe accessories on your phone does not drain it.
Upgrade your charging setup
From 3-in-1 Qi2 stands to magnetic power banks and new Qi2.2 25W chargers, find the right MagSafe and Qi2 gear for your iPhone or Android. Fast shipping Australia-wide.
Shop MagSafe & Qi2 accessories →Genuine brands, backed by warranty and local support.