This article was automatically translated from Japanese using AI. The Japanese version is the authoritative version.
These days, with more apps using location services and more time spent on social media, smartphone batteries often fail to last a full day even as their capacities keep growing.
At the same time, with things like mobile payments, running out of battery has become a serious inconvenience in daily life — which is exactly why demand for power banks is greater now than ever.
What is MagSafe?
With an ordinary power bank, you also need a cable to connect it to your phone, so you end up carrying more stuff, and the power bank itself is fairly heavy — all rather annoying.
Some batteries come with an attached cable, but the cable is so short that it isn’t well suited to using your phone while charging.
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 magnetically and there’s no worry about it slipping out of alignment.
MagSafe has been included since the iPhone 12, and some models don’t support it (such as the iPhone SE), but as long as 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’m actually using this setup with an iPhone SE 3.)
The Anker 622 Magnetic Battery is just too good
You can attach chargers or phone grips as MagSafe accessories, but personally I think a power bank is the best choice.
There are several MagSafe power banks out there, and the most impressive of them all was the Anker 622.
Some models are just plain batteries, but this one also works as a stand.
You can also toggle charging on and off with the button on the battery, so you can leave it attached and charge only when you need to — meaning it doubles as a simple stand.
And because the magnet is circular, you can use your phone in landscape orientation too.
The magnet is strong enough that the battery won’t fall off if you shake the phone, yet it detaches easily when you want it to — just the right amount of holding force.
It comes in plenty of colors, and the size and weight are modest enough not to 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 your battery percentage still climbs even while you’re watching YouTube.
What’s more, you can charge the battery itself while it’s attached to and charging your phone (pass-through), which effectively gives you the same experience as if the iPhone’s charging port were USB Type-C.
The downsides are, unsurprisingly, weight and charging speed.
There’s no getting around the added weight — the combination is heavier than the phone alone, so you definitely notice it in your pocket.
And since charging isn’t rapid, it’s best to think of it as an extended battery for your phone.
It’s been a while since I came across such a great product, so I wanted to share it.