At this point, testing MagSafe battery banks seems to have become my favorite pastime. I have tested small ones, thick ones, multifunctional ones, Qi2 versions, and ones with stands and fans; you name it, and I have more than likely tried it. While some of these battery packs have been great and have their own cool features, there is one feature that the old Apple MagSafe Battery pack had that has been missing from third-party packs until now.
Be sure to check our hands-on video review below!
iOS integration feature
One of the best (if not the best) features of the Apple MagSafe battery pack was that it was recognized by your iOS device. So when you attached the battery to the rear of the phone, you got a specific animation on your lock screen. Then, when you unlocked it, the battery pack would show up in your battery widget. You can see an example below.
When Apple switched to USB-C on its iPhones and accessories, it discontinued its first-party Magsafe battery pack. At that point, there were no third-party power banks with this type of integration. But Kuxiu, just released their new S1 and K1 Magsafe battery packs and, someway somehow have this ability!
Both of these battery packs have that awesome integration feature, but there are a few differences between them.
Kuxiu K1 3 in1 Power Bank
This is the more interesting one of the two because it is multifunctional and has a cool design language as well. As the name implies, this is a 3 in 1 power bank. It charges your iPhone and Apple watch simultaneously and also provides a kickstand. Whatβs also nice is that both the MagSafe charging point and the Apple Watch charger can charge your AirPods Pro as well. So you can charge your big three with just the power bank. These are the specs:
- 5000mAh power bank
- Qi2 15W magnetic charging
- 5W charging for Apple Watch
- 20W wired out and in charging
- Kickstand for portrait and landscape viewing
- 182g in weight
- iOS widget integration
What I also really like about this is that it uses frosted glass that feels nearly identical to the material feel of your iPhone. It feels extremely premium. This power bank is available in two colors, Black and Desert Titanium, and it is on sale for $69.99.
Kuxiu S1 5000mAh PowerBank
This next power bank also has the same cool integration feature but instead of a 3 in 1 I is just a power bank. It has no kickstand or Apple Watch charger. It is just a premium, well-built Qi2 power bank. Here is the spec list:
- 5000mAh power bank
- Qi2 15W magnetic charging
- 20W wired out and in charging
- 145g in weight
- iOS widget integration
- Frosted glass material
The strange thing is that you would think this battery pack would be cheaper since it technically does less. But it is actually an additional $10. The reason is that the battery is made of solid-state materials. Now, this is relatively new to me, but below is a list of some of the benefits of a solid state battery vs regular lithium batteries.
- Solid electrolyte (ceramic, glass, polymer)
- Safer, non-flammable
- Higher energy density (longer battery life, compact design)
- Longer lifespan, more charge cycles
- Performs well in extreme temperatures
- More resistant to wear and damage
There is a video on the Kuxiu S1 product page that really puts the battery through some insane conditions, and it still works. For the 2 weeks I have been using it, it has stayed very cool to the touch. This battery pack also comes in two colors, black and natural titanium, and is on sale for $79.99.
Final thoughts and availability
Funny enough, I actually prefer theΒ simpler S1Β because it is thinner, lighter, and provides the same amount of charge. The K1 is going to be great for those weekend trips, so I can just bring that along with me to charge my main devices. But from the material choices to the iOS widget integration to the multifunctionality it, all these are now my most recommendable MagSafe battery packs. As I said, these are available today from Kuxiuβs website at $69 for the K1 and $79 for the S1.
What do you think? Would you use one of these? Do you like the design? Is the iOS integration something you would want? letβs discuss below!
