In its September iPhone 16 event, Apple quietly unveiled a faster and more powerful MagSafe charger. If you’re a fan of wireless charging, especially with the MagSafe system, you’re in for a treat. Apple’s new MagSafe puck, priced at $39 for the 1-meter version and $49 for the 2-meter version, offers better charging speeds for the latest iPhone 16 and 16 Pro models — but not without some catches.

Let’s start with the standout feature: faster charging. The new iPhone 16 models support up to 25W wireless charging using this MagSafe puck, which is a significant step up from Apple’s previous wireless charging speeds. If you’re using an older iPhone, don’t worry; Apple hasn’t left you completely behind. iPhones starting from the iPhone 12 can still charge wirelessly up to 15W using MagSafe, but to hit those speeds, you’ll need to pair the charger with a 20W USB-C Power Adapter.

That faster 25W speed means you can charge your iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro to 50 percent in around 30 minutes when using Apple’s 30W USB-C Power Adapter (which, of course, you’ll need to buy separately). This puts Apple ahead of both Samsung and Google when it comes to wireless charging speeds. For comparison, Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series maxes out at 15W, while the latest Pixel 9 phones can do anywhere from 15W to 23W with Google’s own Pixel Stand. The Pixel 9 can only reach 12W with regular Qi wireless chargers.

Speaking of Qi, Apple’s new charger is also compatible with Qi2 devices, meaning it’s not limited to iPhones. However, if you want that top-tier 25W speed, only the iPhone 16 lineup will give you that extra juice. Everything from the iPhone 8 onwards will still charge on it — just at slower rates. For instance, Qi charging on iPhones 8 through 11 caps at 7.5W, which feels positively sluggish compared to today’s standards.

If you’re considering upgrading to the new iPhone 16 models, you’ll need to shell out extra cash to fully take advantage of the faster charging rates. Apple, sticking with its recent trend, won’t be including chargers in the box. To get the fastest wireless charging experience, you’ll have to pick up both the new MagSafe puck and a 30W USB-C Power Adapter separately.

In a nutshell, Apple’s new MagSafe charger is faster, more versatile, and ready for the future — but to get the most out of it, you’ll need to invest in a few extra accessories. Still, if you’re someone who appreciates the convenience of wireless charging, especially with Apple’s MagSafe system, the performance boost might be well worth the upgrade.