Late summer almost always means the same thing for Apple fans: rumors, expectations, and speculation ahead of the company’s upcoming launches. 2026 is no exception, and much of the attention is naturally on the next iPhone generation.
But changing phones does not have to mean replacing every accessory too. On the contrary, Apple’s shift to USB-C and the adoption of modern wireless charging standards have made it easier to buy accessories that can last through several generations of phones. That is worth considering before the next iPhone even lands in your pocket.
USB-C has made life much easier
For many years, a new Apple device also meant asking which cables and chargers would work. Today, the situation looks much better. USB-C is used on modern iPhone, iPad, and Mac models, so the same charger can be used with far more devices.
That also means a good USB-C charger does not need to be replaced just because your phone is. A model like Twelve South PlugBug can, for example, be used with several different Apple devices and comes in versions with multiple USB-C ports. That means the same charger can stay with you even when the devices around it are replaced.
Qi2 reduces dependence on a specific phone
Wireless charging has also become more standardized. Qi2 builds on Qi and uses, among other things, magnetic alignment so compatible phones sit correctly on the charging surface. That makes the technology interesting when choosing accessories meant to be used for years.
Twelve South butterFly SE uses Qi2 for its magnetic phone charging and combines it with charging for Apple Watch. Instead of a charger built around the shape of a specific phone, you get a solution based on an established charging standard.
Apple Watch does not need its own charger in the bag
Apple Watch is still a bit of a special case when packing a suitcase. The watch uses its own magnetic charging solution, which means one more cable if you use Apple’s regular charger.
That is where combination chargers become especially interesting. butterFly SE has both magnetic Qi2 charging and an integrated charger for Apple Watch. So when the phone is replaced, the entire charging solution does not automatically have to end up in the recycling bin or the tech drawer.
A good USB-C charger can stay with you for a long time
How much power you need depends, of course, on what you are charging. A phone requires far less than a larger MacBook, so it is smart to think a few years ahead when choosing a wall charger.
The PlugBug series is built for exactly that kind of use. With multiple USB-C ports, one charger can power several devices instead of each device needing its own adapter. PlugBug also supports Apple’s Find My network, making it possible to locate the charger itself if it is left behind.
Buy for the standard, not the model number
It is easy to get stuck on which iPhone generation an accessory is marketed with. But when it comes to charging, standards are often far more important than the phone’s model number.
USB-C and Qi2 make it possible to build a set of chargers and accessories that do not need replacing every fall. Exactly what features future iPhone models will offer is, of course, only known once Apple unveils them, but choosing established standards is a much better way to future-proof your tech bag than trying to guess the next product.
FAQ
Will my current chargers work with the next iPhone?
That depends on the charger and the specifications Apple chooses for upcoming models. USB-C and established wireless standards, however, provide much better conditions for the same charger to work across multiple generations.
What is the benefit of Qi2?
Qi2 standardizes, among other things, magnetic alignment for wireless charging. A compatible phone automatically sits correctly on the charger, while the accessory is based on a broad standard rather than a solution for just one specific phone.
Can the same USB-C charger be used for iPhone, iPad, and MacBook?
Yes, in many cases. How fast the devices charge depends, among other things, on how much power the charger can deliver and how that power is distributed when multiple devices are connected at the same time.
What is special about Twelve South PlugBug?
PlugBug combines USB-C charging with support for Apple’s Find My network. That means the charger itself can be located with Apple’s Find My app if it is left behind at a hotel or office, for example.
Why choose a combined charger for iPhone and Apple Watch?
The main advantage is that you need fewer separate accessories. A model like butterFly SE can handle both the phone and the watch, making it especially practical when traveling.
Recommended products
- Twelve South butterFly SE
- Twelve South PlugBug 50W
- Twelve South PlugBug 120W
