This ‘smallest’ dual charger for iPhone and Apple Watch might be perfect for on the go
Apple no longer sells the MagSafe Duo, the two-in-one charger for the iPhone and Apple Watch, but if you find yourself with a charger-sized hole in your life, Twelve South’s new ButterFly can do it Solving a problem.
Like the MagSafe Duo, the ButterFly comes with two magnetic charging pucks in a foldable design. It can power an iPhone and an Apple Watch or your AirPods at the same time, and Twelve South claims it’s “the world’s smallest 2-in-1 USB-C MagSafe charger.”
The ButterFly comes with a 20W fast charging adapter, as well as four international plug adapters, so you can use it in various locations abroad (currently the US, UK, EU and Australia). The whole thing is designed to be taken with you when traveling, something that’s helped by its unobtrusive and lightweight design.
It comes in an aluminum case to protect the components. The Apple Watch charger pops out so you can use your wearable in bedside mode, and this puck can also power an AirPods case (provided it works with wireless chargers).
None of this is cheap, not surprisingly. The ButterFly retails for $129.99 at Twelve South, making it even more expensive than the MagSafe Duo (albeit by only 99 cents). One of the problems with the MagSafe Duo was that you could buy a competing device for a fraction of the price, and that’s a hurdle that Twelve South’s product will have to overcome.
The MagSafe Duo alternative
The MagSafe Duo seemed like a smart idea for a gadget, because it allows you to charge two devices at the same time while only needing one free socket. Plus, it folded neatly and took up very little space in a bag – all features that made it ideal for travelers.
The only problem was that it used a Lightning port, and that would no longer work once the European Union (EU) and its Digital Markets Act (DMA) forced Apple to switch its devices to USB-C so as not to ignore the rules . law.
There was some speculation that Apple would swap the MagSafe Duo’s Lightning port for a USB-C port, but instead the company simply pulled it from sale right after the iPhone 15 event in September 2023.
While we wait to find out if the MagSafe Duo makes a comeback, Twelve South’s ButterFly could be a good option if you want a high-end alternative that’s small for travel and looks great – provided you don’t mind the dazzling don’t mind the price tag.