Samsung hasn't built magnets into the back of its phones. That means no Galaxy device, from the latest S24 Ultra to the Z Fold 6, is MagSafe-compatible in the way an iPhone is. But a thriving accessory ecosystem—and a looming wireless charging standard—means you can still enjoy the convenience of magnetic mounts, wallets, and chargers right now.

What’s actually different: hardware vs. accessories

Apple introduced MagSafe with the iPhone 12 in 2020, embedding a ring of magnets directly into the phone to align chargers and snap on accessories. Samsung has taken a different path. None of its phones contain that magnet array. The Galaxy S24, S23, Z Flip, and Z Fold series all lack the internal hardware to natively attach MagSafe accessories.

Instead, the compatibility comes from cases. Third-party manufacturers like Spigen, dbrand, and Pitaka sell cases with a magnetic ring built in, precisely positioned to align with the wireless charging coil. When you snap one onto a Galaxy S23 Ultra, for instance, it immediately locks onto MagSafe chargers, car mounts, wallets, and battery packs. Your Samsung phone isn’t MagSafe—but with the right case, it behaves exactly like one.

What this means for everyday use

For the average Samsung owner, the absence of integrated magnets is mostly invisible once you add a MagSafe case. The experience is nearly identical: attach a magnetic power bank, and it stays put. Drop the phone onto a MagSafe puck, and it centers itself for efficient charging. Stick it to a dash mount, and it holds securely over bumps.

The key difference comes down to charging speed. Apple’s iPhones pull 15W from official MagSafe chargers. Samsung phones don’t benefit from that tuned handshake. When you place a Galaxy device on an Apple MagSafe puck, it defaults to the standard Qi profile, typically maxing out at 7.5W—half the speed. That’s fine for overnight, but frustrating for a quick top-up.

Third-party MagSafe chargers designed for Android often push higher. Some deliver 10W or even 15W by using Samsung’s proprietary fast-charge extensions over Qi. But it’s a landscape of spotty support. A charger that reaches 15W on a Galaxy S22 might drop to 10W on an S23 due to subtle coil-positioning differences or firmware. Samsung’s own official wireless chargers, which support up to 15W, lack magnets entirely—you just lay the phone flat without alignment help.

A timeline of magnetic ambition

MagSafe wasn’t born in a vacuum. Apple revived the magnetic laptop charging port name for its phone system, but the underlying Qi wireless charging standard has been around since 2008. Samsung adopted Qi early and has steadily increased speed: the Galaxy S10 topped out at 12W, the S20 hit 15W, and recent flagships maintain that ceiling.

Apple’s magnetic ring was a proprietary layer on top of Qi. The rest of the industry waited. In 2023, the Wireless Power Consortium announced Qi2, an evolution that bakes magnetic alignment into the standard itself. Qi2 essentially incorporates Apple’s MagSafe technology under an open license, promising a universal magnetic attachment and charging protocol across brands.

Samsung has been a major contributor to Qi2 and is expected to build phones that natively sport the magnetic ring. But as of mid-2025, no Galaxy device has shipped with Qi2 magnets. Rumors point to the Galaxy S25 series being the first, though Samsung hasn’t confirmed anything.

How to bring MagSafe to your Galaxy now

If you want the magnetic lifestyle today, the path is straightforward: buy a MagSafe-compatible case for your specific model. Most major case brands now offer them for the Galaxy S line, Z Flip, and Z Fold. Prices range from $20 to $60. Look for cases that explicitly mention “MagSafe” or “magnetic ring” and confirm placement around the charging coil.

Once the case is on, the accessory world opens up. You can use:
- Magnetic chargers: pick models from Anker, Belkin, or ESR that advertise 15W for Samsung. Check reviews; not all reach full speed.
- Car mounts: many vent- and dash-mounted holders rely on magnets. You’ll slot the phone on and off with one hand.
- Battery packs: snap-on power banks from Apple (limited to 7.5W on Samsung) or Android-focused ones from Anker (often faster) are great for travel.
- Wallets and grips: magnetic cardholders or pop sockets that attach in seconds.

A critical note: the S Pen. On Galaxy Ultra and Fold models, strong magnets can interfere with the digitizer that tracks the stylus. When you attach a magnetic accessory, the S Pen may glitch or misregister in the area directly above the magnet. Samsung’s own official cases sidestep this with shielding, but third-party MagSafe cases rarely do. If you rely on the S Pen, test a case carefully or stick to non-magnetic accessories.

What to buy and what to avoid

Because Samsung doesn’t officially sanction MagSafe accessories, quality varies widely. Follow these guidelines:
- Cases: choose well-reviewed brands with precise coil cutouts. Misaligned rings can cause slower charging or overheating. Case manufacturers like Spigen have specific “OneTap” series for Samsung.
- Chargers: look for “Samsung fast wireless charging” or “QC 3.0/PD input” in the description. A charger that says “Made for MagSafe” isn’t optimized for your Galaxy.
- Avoid ultra-cheap no-name mounts and wallets: weak magnets can let the phone fall, especially with the weight of Samsung’s larger devices.

The Qi2 future

Qi2 will erase the fragmentation. When Samsung eventually ships a phone with Qi2 magnets, you’ll get Apple-rivaling 15W speeds and perfect alignment without a special case. The Qi2 standard also mandates a magnetic attachment profile, so accessories should work interchangeably between brands. Analysts expect the first Qi2-equipped Galaxy phones to arrive within the next 12 months, possibly with the S25 lineup.

Until then, the case-based approach remains a stopgap—one that works remarkably well today. Just mind the charging speed and the S Pen, and your Galaxy will feel every bit as magnetically modern as an iPhone.