Apple Reveals First Device-Exclusive MagSafe Accessory

Apple did something peculiar this week. Not only did it release the thinnest iPhone ever, the 5.6-millimeter iPhone Air , but it also unveiled an accessory that only works with that device. Weirder still, it's not a case or skin.

I'm talking about the iPhone Air MagSafe Battery , sold separately from the iPhone Air itself for $99. The device, made exclusively for the Air model, extends video playback time from 22 hours to 35 hours and increases total charge capacity by roughly 65% when attached to the back of the smartphone.

Unlike the older MagSafe Battery Pack, which worked with the iPhone 12, 13, and 14 lineups before being discontinued in 2023, the new version only works with the iPhone Air. Reports say this is probably due to the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro designs, which feature larger and differently positioned camera bumps that prevent the battery accessory from attaching.

Apple also notes that the accessory can be plugged in with a USB-C cable to power smaller devices. Charging speeds reportedly improve when users attach the MagSafe Battery and pair it with a 20W or higher adapter, and the iPhone Air itself supports Qi2 wireless charging up to 20W.

The iPhone Air's battery is the smallest since the iPhone 13 mini, which raises questions about how long it can hold up in day-to-day use. Apple says the device still offers "all-day battery life," but introduced this Air-exclusive MagSafe battery bank nonetheless.