With the launch of the iPhone 17e, Apple has reached a significant milestone: every iPhone on sale now includes MagSafe. This includes the entry-level model priced at $599 and the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Samsung doesn’t have any equivalent feature across its entire Galaxy lineup.
What MagSafe Actually Is
MagSafe consists of a ring of magnets embedded in the back of every iPhone. This design allows accessories to snap perfectly into place. Imagine it as a built-in connector that lets your phone easily attach to chargers, wallets, car mounts, and battery packs without plugging anything in. It delivers charging speeds up to 25W on the latest iPhones and turns the back of the phone into a universal docking surface.
The iPhone 17e was the last model without MagSafe. Its predecessor, the iPhone 16e, launched without this feature as a cost-cutting measure, but Apple has now corrected that. Now, every iPhone sold comes with MagSafe as a standard feature.
Samsung’s Answer — and Why It Falls Short
Samsung Galaxy phones do support Qi wireless charging, which is the universal wireless charging standard for most Android devices. Some Galaxy models even support Qi2, a newer standard that also uses magnets for alignment. However, the key difference is that Qi2 magnets are optional for manufacturers. Samsung has decided not to include them in its phones.
This choice is important. Without the magnet ring, accessories can’t snap into place. You miss out on that satisfying click, guaranteed alignment, and compatibility with the growing range of MagSafe-specific gear, like stands, wallets, grips, and multi-device chargers designed around that magnetic lock.
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series, its current flagship lineup, allows fast wireless charging up to 15W on the base model and even higher on the Ultra. But these phones lack the hardware magnets needed for reliable snap-on accessories.
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A Growing Accessory Gap
Since Apple introduced MagSafe with the iPhone 12 in 2020, the accessory market has expanded significantly. Numerous hardware makers like Anker, Belkin, and Peak Design have developed product lines specifically for this magnetic standard. iPhone users can find MagSafe car mounts for under $15 that snap on in a second. Wallet attachments easily stick to and detach from the phone’s back. Battery packs attach without any cables.
Android users aren’t completely left out. A few third-party cases add magnetic rings to Galaxy phones, enabling compatibility with Qi2 accessories. However, that’s more of a workaround than a built-in feature and adds bulk to a phone that Samsung has worked hard to keep slim.
The Samsung Notes Situation Doesn’t Help
The hardware gap comes at a tricky time for Samsung on the software side as well. According to Android Authority, Samsung will end its Samsung Notes sync with Microsoft OneNote in July 2026. This integration allowed Galaxy users to write notes on their phones and have them automatically sync to OneNote on their PCs. After July, new notes won’t sync, and users will have to find another solution.
This issue is different from MagSafe, but it contributes to a larger perception problem. Samsung users are losing a feature while iPhone users are gaining new ones.
What This Means
If you’re an iPhone user, the bottom line is clear: any MagSafe accessory you buy today will work with any future iPhone upgrade, as long as you stay within Apple’s ecosystem. Now that the system is universal across all models, investing in that accessory ecosystem is less of a gamble.
For Samsung users considering a switch, this hardware gap is a crucial factor. Galaxy phones excel in many areas like screen quality, camera versatility, and customization. However, they lack the snap-on accessory experience that MagSafe provides without resorting to third-party cases.
As for Samsung, the big question is whether future Galaxy phones will support Qi2 hardware. So far, the company hasn’t announced plans to include physical magnets, but the growing MagSafe accessory market puts pressure on them to respond.
What To Watch
- July 2026: Samsung Notes and OneNote sync will shut down. Galaxy users who rely on this workflow should find a new plan by then.
- Samsung Unpacked (expected late 2026): Watch for any announcements regarding Qi2 magnet hardware in upcoming Galaxy Z Fold or Galaxy S26 devices.
- Apple accessory ecosystem: With MagSafe now standard across all iPhones, expect accessory makers to ramp up product launches targeting the entire iPhone customer base.
Sources: 9to5Mac — Every iPhone now has MagSafe | Android Authority — Samsung Notes OneNote sync ending
Maya Torres
Maya Torres is the Consumer Tech Editor at Explosion.com with 7 years covering product launches for major technology publications. She has reviewed over 300 devices across smartphones, laptops, wearables, and smart home products. Maya specializes in translating spec sheets into real-world buying advice and attends CES, MWC, and Apple keynotes as press. Her reviews focus on helping readers decide what to buy, not just what specs look good on paper.
