Finally upgrading from my beat-up iPhone 12 mini—the battery life is basically non-existent now, which is killing me since I really need it for all-day camera use. I’ve been looking at the new iPhone 17e because of the smaller form factor, but I'm stressing about MagSafe compatibility. I read on a few blogs that standard Qi2 chargers are fine, but then some Reddit threads claimed the 17e uses a proprietary alignment for faster charging? It’s all a bit contradictory. I’m on a budget, so I don’t want to drop $100 on an Apple-branded puck if a cheaper third-party one works just as well. What are you guys actually using for these?
The iPhone 17e uses the standard Qi2 protocol, so you do not need the expensive Apple-branded gear. I have tested several chargers and found that third-party options perform identically for power delivery and alignment.
Re: "The iPhone 17e uses the standard Qi2 protocol..." — honestly, don't overthink the proprietary stuff. I saved a ton by ditching the brand-name markup. I use the Baseus Magnetic Wireless Charger 15W and it hasn't failed me yet. The dealer wanted way more for a setup that does the exact same thing! Just keep it simple. Quick tips:
Re: "The iPhone 17e uses the standard Qi2 protocol..." — honestly, I'm no expert, but I don't think just grabbing any certified puck is the whole story. I spent all last week stressing over this too. If you're doing heavy camera work, the magnetic strength matters more than just the wattage. I'd skip the cheap plastic ones and look at these instead: