Two kinds of phones
iPhones from the 12 onward have magnets inside. A regular case puts plastic between those magnets and your accessory, and the hold drops sharply. A magnetic case carries its own ring on the outside, so the accessory grips the case directly.
The iPhone 11, the iPhone 16e and every Samsung Galaxy have no magnets from the factory. For them, the case's ring is the only magnet there is.
Charging through the ring
The ring is shaped around the charging coil, not over it. That's why MagSafe and ordinary Qi pads charge at normal speed through our cases, and why the phone snaps into the right spot every time.
Mounts, wallets and stands
A car vent mount is the hardest test: a heavy phone, bumps, and a turn at speed. The ring's pull is what keeps it there. Card wallets are the easiest test, and the most common. Stands sit in between.
What to keep away
Hotel key cards and old magnetic-stripe cards can be wiped by any strong magnet. Keep them out of a magnetic wallet, and your credit cards with chips will be fine.
