The first foldable iPhone to arrive, called the iPhone Duo, has sparked a mixture of excitement and misgivings. The device, released on September 9 by Apple’s new CEO John Turners, regains the spirit of the “One More Thing” segment and adopts a square design similar to the fusion of iPhone mini and iPad mini. But in addition to appearance design, one of the issues that users are most concerned about is whether the new iPhone is compatible with the existing MagSafe ecosystem. The answer is yes, but there are some important details, especially when it comes to the use of external batteries and magnetic wallets.
Official specifications have confirmed that iPhone Duo integrates MagSafe functionality: wireless charging power up to 25W, the same as the iPhone 18 Pro, and compatible with the Qi 2.2 standard, so third-party chargers with the same power can be used. However, problems arise when trying to use accessories designed for traditional iPhones. The foldable phone’s magnetic ring and camera module take up less space than many battery-powered models require, causing the battery to either bulge from the bottom or not fit fully into the back. Magnetic wallets have similar problems: Apple does not include the iPhone Duo in its official list of compatible devices for the wallet, and tests using bank cards have shown that the camera module hinders the normal use of the vertical wallet.
Batteries and wallets: two of the biggest headaches
This practical compatibility issue mainly affects two types of accessories. The first is the magnetic power bank: Although the iPhone Duo supports MagSafe, many power banks currently on the market cannot be firmly attached due to the limitations of its square body and camera position. Next is the magnetic wallet, a rectangular wallet about the size of a credit card that interferes with the camera bulge. Although manufacturers can launch horizontal wallets, this will completely change the user experience. It’s worth noting that before MagSafe, people often carried their cards and phones separately, so this limitation isn’t the end of the world. Many users who already use Apple Pay can do without the magnetic wallet without encountering any problems.
The good news is that the accessories market is starting to heat up. Brands like Nomad have launched a range of products specifically designed for iPhone Duo, including the Magnetic Leather Back, an ultra-thin Horween leather back with micro-suction technology and compatible with MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging; and the Traditional Leather Folio, a wallet-style case with two card slots and support for magnetic charging. The two products, priced at $59 and $129 respectively, are designed to protect devices while taking into account both aesthetics and magnetic features.
Response from third-party manufacturers
Other manufacturers, such as BMX, have also introduced custom solutions. SolidSafe Ultra is a 5.000mAh ultra-thin battery with a 360-degree ring stand and 15W magnetic charging, and comes with an integrated USB-C data cable that can provide up to 20W charging power. It also comes with an LCD display for battery monitoring and is priced at $79,99. This way, iPhone Duo owners can now find a battery option that suits their device without having to wait for Apple to release its own battery, which will be released sooner or later, just like the iPhone Air.
The arrival of these specific accessories shows that even if current MagSafe accessories are not compatible, the entire ecosystem is gradually adapting to this new format. Apple has confirmed that the iPhone Duo is not listed in the official MagSafe wallet product catalog, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t alternatives. The question is whether the average user will be willing to accept these initial limitations, or whether they will be more inclined to wait for the accessories catalog to be more complete. At the same time, buying a foldable phone that costs more than 2,000 euros is a personal choice, and some people will understandably be put off by this, while others will see it as part of the unique characteristics of the new device.
The future of MagSafe in Apple’s foldable phones
The iPhone Duo is one of six smartphones in Apple’s current lineup, and users always have the option to stick with the previous generation model if one of them doesn’t suit their needs. But for users who have already invested in magnetic chargers and stands, the addition of MagSafe and 25W charging power is undoubtedly good news. Qi 2.2 compatibility further expands options, allowing users to use any brand of charger that complies with the standard. However, accessories such as batteries and power banks will have to wait for manufacturers to design products specifically for the size and camera layout of the iPhone Duo before they can be used.
In a nutshell, the current situation is this: iPhone Duo is compatible with MagSafe, but the magnetic accessories (battery and card holder) are not compatible with traditional designs. Third-party manufacturers have begun to launch adaptation solutions, and Apple is expected to release official batteries in the next few months. In the meantime, users who want to use these accessories will either need to find ones that can be used in landscape orientation or wait. Therefore, incompatibility with certain accessories does not mean that there are no alternatives at all: iPhone Duo does not need to copy all the design elements of existing iPhones to function as a foldable phone. Ultimately, the MagSafe ecosystem is still here to stay, but it will take time to fully adapt to the new form factor.
