Anker has apparently beaten Apple to the punch, with the release of a new MagSafe-compatible wireless power bank for the iPhone 12 series. As first reported by 9to5Google, the Anker PowerCore Magnetic 5K Wireless Power Bank is now available to order on Amazon, with shipping to begin on the 3rd of March 2021. However, do note that the Amazon page states that stock is “currently unavailable”, and that the official price isn’t stated on the listing.
Regardless, this would certainly be an achievement for Anker. Since the launch of the iPhone 12 series, an Apple-branded MagSafe battery pack has been rumoured to be in the works. Now, Anker’s MagSafe-compatible power bank looks to be the option for iPhone 12 series users who want to extend the battery life of their smartphones—without having to lug around a separate power bank or charger.
How it works
Essentially, the PowerCore Magnetic 5K Wireless Power Bank is a 5,000mAh battery pack which can be magnetically attached to your iPhone 12. To use the power bank, attach it onto the back of a MagSafe-compatible iPhone (where it stays in place thanks to the iPhone’s array of MagSafe magnets), and your iPhone will begin wirelessly charging.
Anker also promises that the power bank works through compatible magnetic cases, which means that this is the first power bank that we’ve seen to work natively with Apple’s new magnet-based charging system. As such, the power bank has been specifically designed for the iPhone 12, 12 Mini, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max. The power bank also comes with an LED indicator to give you an idea of battery levels, while you can top it up with an included USB-C to USB-C cable.
However, there is a rather large caveat to this, particularly for Pro users.
The 5,000mAh battery can only provide 95 percent of a full charge on the iPhone 12, and 97 percent of a full charge on the 12 Pro. Meanwhile, the iPhone 12 Pro Max can only be charged at up to 75 percent on a single charge. You do, however, get a full charge out of the battery pack on the iPhone 12 Mini—and you even get an additional 20 percent of juice in case you need it.
Additionally, this doesn’t appear to be an officially certified MagSafe accessory, so the PowerCore device is limited to a slow 5W for charging speeds. MagSafe compatibility, in this case, only applies to the power bank’s ability to magnetically attach to MagSafe magnets, and it’s worth noting that Apple’s own MagSafe charger can push power at 15W (although that’s a more conventional-looking charging pad).
At the moment, there hasn’t been any official word on global availability just yet, but 9to5Mac reports that the Anker PowerCore Magnetic 5K Wireless Power Bank will be available in the U.S. for USD 39.99 (~RM161), with shipping to begin on the 3rd of March 2021. If you’re keen, keep an eye out on Anker Malaysia’s official website—and of course, keep SoyaCincau.com bookmarked for the latest coverage.
