Images purporting to reveal the original version of Apple's MagSafe charger today surfaced online, providing a look at how the company conceived of the accessory over two and a half years before its release.
The images, shared by the Apple leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami," claim to show the original version of the MagSafe charger that Apple considered launching. The prototype has a production date of March 2017, a key period in the development of Apple's AirPower wireless charging mat. This version of MagSafe was apparently developed directly alongside AirPower.
The earlier version of MagSafe for iPhone features a rubberized outer shell that feels similar to the base of the HomePod, rounded edges, a different array of magnets with opposite magnetism, and a large Apple logo. It is apparently the same approximate size as the final version, but noticeably thinner. The design language distinctively harks back to an earlier period in Apple's history that more generously used white rubberized plastics and featured its logo more prominently.
Unreleased prototype of MagSafe Charger. It’s super rare yet interesting. Featured different design, magnetic placement, and materials used. Produced around Mar. 2017, which same the AirPower does. Project started over after its cancellation. Infos in last pic. #appleinternalpic.twitter.com/lxTQqhgk5s
— Kosutami (@KosutamiSan) January 10, 2024
Following the cancelation of AirPower in March 2019, Apple apparently revisited this earlier MagSafe concept and rebooted the project. It ultimately launched with the design we know today alongside the iPhone 12 in October 2020, seeming to taking direct inspiration from the Apple Watch's charger with a thicker silver aluminum outer shell, flat sides, and no Apple logo.
The ultimately released version of MagSafe for iPhone (2020).
Friday October 31, 2025 1:40 pm PDT by Joe Rossignol
The upcoming iOS 26.1 update includes a small but helpful change for iPhones, and it could prevent you from running late to something important.
Specifically, when an alarm goes off in the Clock app, there is a new "slide to stop" control on the screen for turning off the alarm. On previous iOS 26 versions, there is simply a large "stop" button, which could be accidentally tapped.
The new ...
Friday October 31, 2025 7:32 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple has just given a strong indication that it will not be releasing any additional new Macs for the remainder of the year.
Apple's CFO Kevan Parekh dropped the hint during the company's earnings call on Thursday:On Mac, keep in mind, we expect to face a very difficult compare against the M4 MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac launches in the year-ago quarter.Parekh essentially gave a heads up ...
Thursday October 30, 2025 4:42 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
One thing worth...
Wednesday October 29, 2025 4:22 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple is about to drop iOS 26.1, the first major point release since iOS 26 was rolled out in September, and there are at least six notable changes and improvements to look forward to. We've rounded them up below.
Apple has already provided developers and public beta testers with the release candidate version of iOS 26.1, which means Apple will likely roll out the update to all compatible...
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro models could be available in new rich and warm color option, according to a known leaker.
The Weibo user known as "Instant Digital" today suggested that next-year's iPhone 18 Pro models will be available in at least one of the following color options: Coffee, purple, and burgundy.
The iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 14, and iPhone 14 Pro were all available in ...
Friday October 31, 2025 8:52 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that 2026 could indeed be the year that Apple releases its first foldable device.
Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that have been leaked about Apple's foldable iPhone so far.
Ove...
Apple launched the Apple TV HD, the Siri Remote, tvOS, and their accompanying App Store a decade ago today, marking a major overhaul of the device.
The new vision for the Apple TV was unveiled on September 9, 2015 during Apple's "Hey Siri" event in San Francisco, where CEO Tim Cook introduced the device with the statement, "The future of TV is apps." The announcement represented a major...
Thursday October 30, 2025 12:42 pm PDT by Joe Rossignol
Tomorrow is Halloween, and then November is upon us. Below, we outline what to expect from Apple next month, as the slower holiday season approaches.
Apple is expected to kick off November by releasing iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, macOS 26.1, watchOS 26.1, tvOS 26.1, and visionOS 26.1. With beta testing now wrapped up, the updates will likely be released this Monday, November 3 or Tuesday,...
Monday October 27, 2025 7:55 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
The upcoming iOS 26.1 update includes a handful of new features and changes for iPhones, including a toggle for changing the appearance of the Liquid Glass design, "slide to stop" for alarms in the Clock app, and more.
Below, we outline key details about iOS 26.1.
Release Date
Given that Apple has yet to seed an iOS 26.1 Release Candidate, which is typically the final beta version, the...
Thursday October 30, 2025 1:50 pm PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple CEO Tim Cook today said that a more personalized version of Siri remains on track to launch at some point next year, with the new set of features expected to debut on the iPhone as part of iOS 26.4 in March or April.
"We're also excited for a more personalized Siri," said Cook, on Apple's earnings call for the third quarter of the 2025 calendar year. "We're making good progress on it,...
Literally cleaner, as the white rubbery one would have become dirty over time.
Not just dirtier but would slowly wear overtime due to friction and heat. We've seen the longterm damage Apple's old rubber accessories used to go through, especially the Mac's original magsafe. There's a reason for Magsafe 3 they went with woven cables instead of rubber.
I love the tactile feeling (even better if accompanied by the iOS chime) of the MagSafe charging disc when attaching to iPhone. It's also particularly nice to 'push' the disc off iPhone when a silicone MagSafe case is attached.
This kind of stuff that Apple do so well seems to be under appreciated.
Not just dirtier but would slowly wear overtime due to friction and heat. We've seen the longterm damage Apple's old rubber accessories used to go through, especially the Mac's original magsafe. There's a reason for Magsafe 3 they went with woven cables instead of rubber.
Apple switched to woven for all of their power adapter cables across the entire product line likely for this reason. Their old proprietary power adapters were notorious for failing. I think the I replaced the "UFO" power adapter on my old Pismo PowerBook G3 at least 3 times in the six years I had it. All of my MagSafe MacBooks had to have the power adapters replaced at least once, sometimes twice. To me the biggest win from Apple wasn't the return of MagSafe 3, it's the fact that the power cable between the brick and the laptop are now replaceable without discarding the whole charger.
I am really glad they didn't go with that rubber design. Having the puck be flat metal makes a lot more sense and a lot cleaner.
Literally cleaner, as the white rubbery one would have become dirty over time. [That said, I do like the ”vintage” feel of the prototype. I would be crazy about an iPhone mini in a version of the original iPhone’s body, with no MagSafe and no camera array.]
Apple switched to woven for all of their power adapter cables across the entire product line likely for this reason. Their old proprietary power adapters were notorious for failing. I think the I replaced the "UFO" power adapter on my old Pismo PowerBook G3 at least 3 times in the six years I had it. All of my MagSafe MacBooks had to have the power adapters replaced at least once, sometimes twice. To me the biggest win from Apple wasn't the return of MagSafe 3, it's the fact that the power cable between the brick and the laptop are now replaceable without discarding the whole charger.
That problem with the rubber sheathing, especially at the point when it entered the brick or similar object was so problematic. Why did it take Apple such a long time to switch out of that rubber sheathing? You see the issue also with Lightning cables at the Lightning end. Over time, it is possible for that rubber sheathing close to that tip to sort of bulge out, possible because of the rubber bending back and forth over time. Terrible.
And, we're not talking about cheap cables either! These cables, relative to other brands, are on the expensive range.
The ultimately released version of MagSafe for iPhone (2020).
