Apple's MagSafe Duo charger not compatible with first-party 29W adapter

AppleInsider said:

A quick look at MagSafe Duo's specifications explains why the charger doesn't work with the older adapter.

And as well as not telling us here, the later linked article also has no mention of the 29w power supply directly. And Apple's page saying nothing more than it's incompatible.

LMFTFY: The 29w charger only deals with USB PD 2.0, and therefore whilst the 29w USB C PSU can supply the required 3a at 5v or 1.67a at 9v, it won't because the dock needs PD 3.0, and the USB PD 2.0 fallback  doesn't provide enough juice. A slightly more expensive voltage regulator that supported USB PD 2.0 and 3.0 in the dock would have dealt with that. Apple could have had a fallback to PD 2 or below, and had the dock charge one or the other items so that in a pinch (likely when travelling), you could borrow a super common USB A charger or use a USB A wall socket. I see USB-A wall sockets all over the place, yet to see a USB-C one. My Anker charging puck works just fine charging my iPhone X with a 5v/2a power supply, and I even have a 5w wireless charger that is slow but fine for overnight charging.

This thing is becoming a bigger and bigger white elephant as each day passes.

elijahg said:

AppleInsider said:

A quick look at MagSafe Duo's specifications explains why the charger doesn't work with the older adapter.

And as well as not telling us here, the later linked article also has no mention of the 29w power supply directly. And Apple's page saying nothing more than it's incompatible.

LMFTFY: The 29w charger only deals with USB PD 2.0, and therefore whilst the 29w USB C PSU can supply the required 3a at 5v or 1.67a at 9v, it won't because the dock needs PD 3.0, and the USB PD 2.0 fallback  doesn't provide enough juice. A slightly more expensive voltage regulator that supported USB PD 2.0 and 3.0 in the dock would have dealt with that. Apple could have had a fallback to PD 2 or below, and had the dock charge one or the other items so that in a pinch (likely when travelling), you could borrow a super common USB A charger or use a USB A wall socket. I see USB-A wall sockets all over the place, yet to see a USB-C one. My Anker charging puck works just fine charging my iPhone X with a 5v/2a power supply, and I even have a 5w wireless charger that is slow but fine for overnight charging.

This thing is becoming a bigger and bigger white elephant as each day passes.

Yep. I thought it was a gimmick from the start, plus the 12 series is having serious problems. Glad I got my 11 in September than wait in October for the 12.

The thing that is bugging me about this - and I accept the environmental argument in and of itself, and anything that we can all do to make a difference in reducing e-waste really helps, but even as an admitted Apple (cringes) “fanboy” I have to say that this has been an additional benefit for Apple, but primarily about the revenue in my opinion. At least that’s what the optics suggest.  And if not then it’s been poorly thought out and executed, however knowing Apple, I find it difficult to believe they would make a mistake this large but I digress... The point is the more that these types of details crop up the more It supports that they are being greedy. You can’t say that you’re not providing the new 20W chargers  (which are the new standard) because there are two billion was it? chargers already in circulation, and that this is good for the planet when those adapters are 90% + old 5W adapters that cannot charge even the new iPhones efficiently let alone support the new accessories. So either way people must buy even more adapters contributing yet more e-waste. I think it would have been prudent to offer credit for returning old gear or offering discounted/gratis 20W based on a similar principle. Ultimately reducing all the countless worthless old and unused plugs, and headphones.  It would also be wise to ensure that these new adapters and standards remain capable and consistent  for as long as possible so we don’t have this same issue again in a few years. In any event it’s safe to say this has been handled rather poorly. Personally I would have liked an option to swap out a lightning-usbC cable for a MagSafe. One can dream....

This this is getting more and more ridiculous. 

I bought a pair of HomePods. I've ordered the AirPods Max. However, I don't think I can pull the trigger on this purchase. This thing is just not making any sense to me. It is the iPod Socks of our era. 

Gaby:

You can’t say that you’re not providing the new 20W chargers  (which are the new standard) because there are two billion was it? chargers already in circulation, and that this is good for the planet when those adapters are 90% + old 5W adapters that cannot charge even the new iPhones efficiently let alone support the new accessories.

The old chargers can efficiently charge the phones just by using a cable. Wireless charging is an extra and is only 50% efficient. The wireless charger doesn’t come with the phone. If you have an old charger, just use a direct cable to the phone and you will charge faster than any wireless charging method and is more efficient. If you want the wireless charger and don’t have a new standard charger, buy both at the same time.