Android users generally aren’t too envious of the iPhone experience, but I think it’s safe to say MagSafe is a notable exception. Since Apple introduced magnetic connection and wireless charging standards in the iPhone 12 series, MagSafe has grown into the world’s largest accessories ecosystem. From simplicity to functionality to compatibility, it has everything right. The accessories you bought for the long-discontinued iPhone 12 mini will work with the new iPhone 15 Pro Max without any issues.
Luckily, the MagSafe experience is coming to the best Android phones, thanks to the Qi2 standard. We don’t know which mainstream phone will be the first to launch with Qi2, but it’s likely to launch sometime this year. Many were disappointed that Samsung did not include Qi2 in the Galaxy S24 series launched in January.
If you don’t want to wait, the Peak Design ecosystem is bringing the MagSafe experience to Android phones today. As a long-time MagSafe user, I’ve spent a few weeks using the magnetic accessories from Peak Design on my iPhone and Android smartphones. With just a Peak Design phone case, your phone can access the extensive ecosystem of MagSafe accessories. If this is the future of Qi2 on Android, I’m excited about it.
What does the future hold for accessory compatibility?
In late 2023, the Wireless Power Alliance announced that the Qi2 standard was ready for inclusion in new devices. The Qi2 standard has many benefits, such as 15W wireless charging instead of the 5W speeds of regular Qi. Because devices must be WPC certified to use the Qi2 name and branding, you can be confident that chargers and accessories will work with your phone.
Most of Qi2 has little to do with charging, though. The standard includes support for magnetic profiles, which are derived in part from Apple’s own MagSafe technology. Qi2 contains a ring of magnets that help your phone perfectly align with the wireless charger’s coil for more efficient charging. What’s more, Qi2 standard magnetic rings can interoperate with MagSafe. The future is shaping up to be one where you’ll be able to buy Qi2 or MagSafe accessories and use them with basically any new phone you can find.
The Peak Design Ecosystem is Today’s Solution
In 2024, there are a surprising number of ways to use MagSafe with your Android phone. Some cases include built-in MagSafe rings, or you can add a MagSafe ring sticker to any phone or case of your choice. For me, using the Peak Design Everyday Case is one of the better options. Everyday cases are available for all the largest Android phone models, and they come with more than just MagSafe compatibility. In fact, Peak Design includes its own SlimLink connectivity standard as an alternative to MagSafe on everyday cases.
What sets Peak Design’s ecosystem apart from all other ways of getting MagSafe on Android is that it feels official. Things like magnetic sticker rings and cheap MagSafe phone cases often feel like hacky solutions rather than elegant solutions. In contrast, it’s not obvious from the appearance alone whether the everyday case supports MagSafe. Aside from the SlimLink mounting points, the Everyday Case looks like any other premium case with a canvas exterior and plastic frame.
A wide variety of first-party accessories round out the experience compared to Apple’s own official MagSafe accessories. For example, the Peak Design mobile wallet is like the Apple MagSafe wallet, but better. I’m currently on my third leather MagSafe wallet from Apple, and I’ve replaced two of them under warranty because they were literally falling apart. So far, mobile wallets seem to be better than MagSafe wallets in many ways. It also matches everyday cases, just like the MagSafe Leather Wallet matches Apple’s official iPhone leather cases.
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However, the best part about using the Peak Design Everyday Case is that you can use it with non-Peak Design accessories. I use my mobile wallet on my iPhone 15 Pro Max, but I don’t use the case. I also use the official Apple MagSafe charger with my Pixel 7a via an everyday case.With these accessories, you get the same great products you get with your iPhone and Android phone. Considering that accessory makers have been building products for the iPhone, interoperability is a huge win for Android users.
Qi2 only makes everything better
I was able to replicate the MagSafe experience by simply placing the Peak Design case on my Android phone. However, in the near future, this functionality may not even require a case. When Android phones start shipping with Qi2, the accessory market will get the much-needed parity between the iPhone and Android markets. If my time with Peak Design accessories is any indication, the future of Qi2-equipped smartphones is looking bright.