Phone Glossary
Clear, jargon-free definitions of the specs and standards that matter when choosing cases, chargers, and screen protectors.
Charging
MagSafe
Apple's magnetic charging and accessory system for iPhone, using a ring of magnets for precise alignment.
Qi2
The next-generation wireless charging standard with magnetic alignment, bringing MagSafe-like features to all phones.
USB-PD
USB Power Delivery — a fast-charging standard that can deliver up to 240W over USB-C cables.
Qi2 vs MagSafe
MagSafe is Apple's proprietary magnetic charging system. Qi2 is the open standard built on MagSafe's technology. They're cross-compatible but differ in speed and ecosystem.
Qi2 vs Qi
Qi2 adds magnetic alignment and faster speeds to the original Qi standard. All Qi2 chargers are backward compatible with Qi phones.
MagSafe Gen 1 vs Gen 2
MagSafe Gen 1 charges at 15W (iPhone 12-15). Gen 2 charges at 25W (iPhone 16+). Gen 2 chargers are backward compatible with older iPhones at 15W.
Qi2 25W (Qi2.2)
Also called Qi2.2, this is the latest wireless charging standard supporting 25W with magnetic alignment. First certified chargers arrived late 2025.
USB-C vs Lightning
iPhone 15 and newer use USB-C. iPhone 14 and older use Lightning. The two connectors are physically different and cables are not interchangeable.
Compatibility
Camera Plateau (iPhone 17)
The iPhone 17 Pro replaces the traditional camera bump with an aluminum "plateau" that extends across the full width of the phone, breaking compatibility with older cases.
Action Button vs Mute Switch
The iPhone 16 replaced the physical mute toggle with a programmable Action Button. Different cutout shapes mean cases aren't interchangeable despite identical body dimensions.
Camera Control Button
A capacitive-mechanical button on the lower right side of iPhone 16 and 17 series for camera control. Cases need a cutout or conductive pass-through.