What’s the Difference Between MagSafe and Wireless Charging (Qi)

Knowing your phone and which charging technologies it supports not only makes everyday use easier, it also helps you choose the right accessories, such as the most compatible phone case.

As we mentioned our earlier blog, choosing the correct device model and matching case is important for a smooth charging experience.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through Qi and MagSafe technologies so you can confidently choose the right Leather Apple Case or Samsung case for your phone.

Briefly, MagSafe and Qi are both wireless charging technologies. But they’re not the same thing. Qi is the open industry standard used by many brands. MagSafe is Apple’s magnetic alignment system layered on top of Qi (and now Qi2 on newer gear), adding precise coil alignment and a whole accessory ecosystem.

What is Qi?

Qi (pronounced “chee”) is the universal wireless charging standard maintained by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC). According to WPC, It enables inductive charging between a phone and a charging pad/stand. Newer Qi2 devices add a magnetic attachment profile for auto-alignment, better efficiency, and higher certified power levels (e.g., 15W and 25W tiers on supported phones and chargers).

What is MagSafe?

Apple says; MagSafe is Apple’s magnetic alignment system around the iPhone’s charging coil. With compatible chargers and power adapters, MagSafe intelligently manages power and can deliver up to 25W peak wireless charging on supported iPhones (actual power varies by model and conditions). The magnets also enable add-on accessories like wallets, stands, battery packs, and car mounts that click into place securely.

Qi is the universal, brand-agnostic wireless charging standard: place your phone on a pad and it charges. MagSafe is Apple’s magnetic alignment layer on top of Qi for iPhone 12 and newer, snapping the coils into place for more reliable, often faster charging and a click-in accessory ecosystem. In short, both are wireless charging; MagSafe adds magnets and accessories. The newer Qi2 standard brings MagSafe-style magnetic alignment to a wider range of devices and chargers.

When did phones start supporting these?

• iPhone + Qi:

  iPhone 8/8 Plus and iPhone X (2017) were the first iPhones with integrated Qi wireless charging, and every mainline iPhone since supports Qi.

• iPhone + MagSafe:

   iPhone 12 family (2020) introduced MagSafe magnetic alignment for wireless charging and accessories; later models continue to support it.

• Samsung + Qi:

   Samsung’s Galaxy S6 / S6 edge (2015) brought Qi wireless charging to the Galaxy S line, and Galaxy flagships have supported Qi ever since.

Key differences at a glance

• Alignment: 

  MagSafe (and Qi2) use magnets to align coils automatically; classic Qi pads rely on you placing the phone “just right.”

• Consistency & Efficiency:

   Better alignment usually means more consistent power and less heat.

• Ecosystem:

   MagSafe adds a robust ecosystem (wallets, battery packs, car mounts, stands) that mount magnetically. Qi accessories are broader in brand/device coverage; Qi2 is bringing magnetic alignment to the wider Android world.

• Speed:

   On supported iPhones and chargers, MagSafe can reach higher peak power (up to 25W on current models) vs. many legacy Qi pads; your exact result depends on the phone, charger, and power adapter.

What About Samsung Phones?

Samsung phones don’t include Apple’s MagSafe ring. They use Qi wireless charging (and many models also support reverse wireless charging). If you want magnetic attachment on a Samsung device—for example, to use a magnetic stand or mount—you can add a MagSafe-compatible ring designed for Galaxy. Charging still follows Qi (or Qi2 on newer devices/chargers); magnets just help with grip and alignment. As Qi2 expands across Android, more Galaxy accessories will support magnetic alignment natively.

In-Car Systems: What Works Best?

• Magnetic car mounts with charging (Apple MFi/MFM or Qi2):

   Easiest one-hand operation and steadier alignment. For iPhone, use a MagSafe-compatible case; for Samsung, use a Galaxy case with a magnetic ring (or a Qi2 mount + Qi2-capable phone/charger pairing).

• Clamp (non-magnetic) Qi mounts:

   Universal and budget-friendly; they charge via Qi but rely on arms/clamps for grip.

• Power matters:

   Use a USB-C PD 20W+ adapter in the car. Weak adapters limit wireless output and make it feel “slow.”

• Heat tip: 

  High cabin temps (or hot air from vents) can throttle wireless charging to protect the battery—mount placement can help.

Comparison table

Feature	MagSafe (Apple)	Qi (classic)	Qi2 (newer)
Coil alignment	Magnetic (iPhone 12+)	Manual placement	Magnetic (standardized)
Typical user experience	Snap-to-charge + strong accessory ecosystem	Works across many brands, placement sensitive	Snap-to-charge on broader ecosystem
Certified power levels*	Up to 25W peak on supported iPhones/chargers	Varies by phone/charger (often lower on legacy pads)	Certified 15W and 25W tiers on supported devices
Accessory fit	Apple-centric (iPhone 12+)	Universal	Growing Android + iPhone ecosystem
Works on Samsung	With magnetic case/ring (charging is still Qi)	Yes	Yes, where phone + charger both support Qi2

BoulettaCuir Leather Phone Cases: Which Technology do They Support?

Our phone cases are hand-crafted from genuine leather, supple in the hand, tough in daily life. With a snug, precision fit, reinforced stitching, and subtle edge protection, it keeps your phone safe from bumps and scuffs while delivering a clean, timeless look that develops a rich patina the more you use it.

Want to make it truly yours? Add custom engraving or hot press, initials, a name, or a meaningful date. See the details in personalization page.

You can find the table below showing which of our models are compatible with MagSafe or Qi.

• Leather Magic Wallet Cases → Available for all iPhone models. MagSafe (iPhone 12/13/14/15/16/17) + Qi (iPhone 6-iPhone 11 Models) compatible. Compatible with QI for Samsung Cases
• Leather Sonat Cases → Available for iPhone 16 & 17 only.Qi compatible only. See iPhone 16 Pro Max Sonat Case
• Leather F360 Series → Available for all iPhone models.MagSafe + Qi compatible. See our iPhone 17 Pro F360 Case.
• Leather Ultimate Jacket Cases→ iPhone 17 versions:MagSafe + Qi compatible.Older iPhone versions:Qi only. Compatible with QI for Samsung Series

Bouletta Leather is the Tale of Brightness and Motivation

Bouletta Leather was born from a love and passion for leather and transforming the material into something invaluable. Leather artisans, veterans, and foreign designers were the people making Bouletta Leather one of the top-notch brands and achieving unprecedented elegance in the people's mobile lifestyles worldwide. Bouletta, with its piece-of-art leather watch bands, versatile, functional yet eye-catching iPhone wallet cases, and ultrachic handbags and purses, claims to introduce you to sophistication in your mobile lifestyle. It provides durable, elegant, fashionable, and functional premium leather accessories with an overarching sense of impeccability. You stand out from the crowd wherever you go, thanks to our sleek, modern, and luscious designs having personalized options just for your needs. We believe that extraordinary should be a standard and be far from expensive. Making its own style, the Bouletta builds a community next to you. 

Why do you not visit our website, select the customization option, and inform us so you can have a specifically designed Bouletta watch band, iPhone Case, or handbag for yourself?

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