Unlike previous years, Apple didn't launch a battery case for the iPhone 12 series, and therefore, people have been waiting for a similar accessory with MagSafe support. The new MagSafe Battery Pack, which snaps onto the back of your iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro, is the closest thing you can buy right now.

However, we suggest you avoid this accessory since it doesn't meet everyone's expectations. Apple's MagSafe Battery Pack falls short in multiple departments, especially when compared against third-party alternatives.

Here, we'll discuss three reasons why the MagSafe Battery Pack is not worth your money.

What Is MagSafe Battery Pack?

Apple's MagSafe Battery Pack is basically a power bank that you can use to charge your iPhone 12. Since it supports MagSafe, you don't have to use cables. All you have to do is align the magnets and snap the battery pack to the back of your iPhone to charge it wirelessly. The MagSafe Battery Pack also doubles as a wireless charging pad and, theoretically, supports speeds up to 15W when connected to AC power.

1. Slower Charging Speeds Than Expected

MagSafe battery pack on iPhone 12

The MagSafe Battery Pack can only charge your iPhone at just under 5W, which is underwhelming since people expected faster speeds from an official accessory. If the battery pack is running hot, it'll charge even slower, meaning you can't game and efficiently charge your iPhone. On the other hand, third-party magnetic power banks support above 5W, with some even touching 7W speeds.

Related: The Best Wireless Chargers for the Apple iPhone

If you intend to use it as a charging pad, Apple claims wireless charging speeds up to 15W, but you need to realize that this is not the speed at which the battery pack charges your iPhone. According to Max Tech (YouTube video link), the wattage that goes into your iPhone is roughly around 9W when connected to AC power. This makes the MagSafe Battery Pack 40% slower than the standard MagSafe charger for the iPhone 12.

2. Much Lower Battery Capacity Than Third-Party Options

MagSafe battery pack
Image Credit: Apple

Apple's MagSafe Battery Pack is thin and compact for sure, but its sleekness comes at the cost of its battery capacity. If you're someone who prefers function over form, you'll be disappointed with the MagSafe Battery Pack. Its battery capacity is only 1,460mAh (7.62V, 11.13Wh), which is not even close to what the competition offers.

Considering the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 12 Pro packs a 2815mAh battery, Apple's MagSafe Battery Pack will not be enough to charge them fully. As we learned from Max Tech's real-world tests, it's only good enough to get your iPhone to 50-60%. Anker's PowerCore Magnetic 5K, which packs a 5000mAh battery (3.6V, 18.5Wh) can't fully charge them either, but it'll get you to 85-90%.

3. Apple's MagSafe Battery Pack Is Really Expensive

We all know how expensive Apple's official accessories are, but we still cannot overlook the fact that you can buy a third-party option for half the price. In this case, these options are better, too. The MagSafe Battery Pack will set you back at $99, which is absurd for its capacity and charging speeds.

In comparison, Anker's 5000mAh magnetic battery pack is just $45.99. Yes, it's not as sleek as Apple's offering, but you can certainly get more charge out of it. Plus, it doesn't have any issues charging your iPhone when gaming, unlike the MagSafe Battery Pack. Also, if you want faster-charging speeds, you can get the HyperJuice Magnetic Wireless Battery Pack instead for only $39.99.

The MagSafe Battery Pack Disappoints

Most of us had huge expectations for the MagSafe Battery Pack, especially since it's an official accessory and the first power bank from Apple. Even though the capacity isn't bad for its size, the charging speed is underwhelming for MagSafe's standards. It seems like Apple limits the MagSafe Battery Pack's performance to minimize heating issues and make sure it lasts in the long run.

Image Credit: Apple