HyperMac to Halt Sales of MagSafe Charging Cables

110410 hypermac cables 500

Engadget notes that Sanho, maker of the popular HyperMac line of external batteries for Apple notebooks, will halt sales of the MagSafe charging cables required for connecting its batteries to Apple's machines as of November 2nd. The move comes as the company attempts to work out a licensing agreement with Apple to offer the MagSafe interface.

As part of our ongoing comprehensive licensing negotiations with Apple regarding a wide array of technologies and issues, we have decided to cease the sale of the MacBook charging cables and car charger on November 2, 2010.

While we will continue to sell the same batteries together with the rest of our product line after November 2nd, they will not be able to charge MacBooks without the cables.

Apple filed suit against Sanho early last month over the accessory company's use of the MagSafe interface, alleging patent infringement. Sanho had hoped to escape the eye of Apple by utilizing official MagSafe connectors recycled from Apple adapters, but their incorporation into new products was deemed by Apple to be an inappropriate usage.

It is unclear if Apple and Sanho will be able to work out an agreement to allow the MagSafe-compatible HyperMac charging cables to return in the future, but negotiations are clearly underway to at least settle the lawsuit brought by Apple.

Apple's suit had also targeted Sanho for including Apple's USB-to-Dock cable with its external battery battery products for mobile iOS devices, but Sanho has apparently already discontinued that practice, with customers having to rely on their current cables or acquiring new ones from elsewhere.

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro 3 4ths Perspective Aluminum Camera Module 1

New iPhone 17 Pro Details: Brighter Display, Best Battery Life, and More

Wednesday September 3, 2025 5:33 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models will feature a number of significant display, thermal, and battery improvements, according to new late-stage rumors. According to the Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital," the iPhone 17 Pro models will feature displays with higher brightness, making it more suitable for use in direct sunlight for prolonged periods. The iPhone 16 Pro and...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

iPhone 17 Pro: 5 Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 1, 2025 4:35 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series this month, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Prices Estimated Ahead of Apple Event Next Week

Tuesday September 2, 2025 1:50 pm PDT by
Just one week before Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series, an analyst has shared new price estimates for the devices. Here are J.P. Morgan analyst Samik Chatterjee's price estimates for the iPhone 17 series in the United States, according to 9to5Mac: Model Starting Price Model Starting Price Change iPhone 16 $799 iPhone 17 ...
iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
iOS 18 on iPhone Arrow Down

Apple Preparing iOS 18.7 for iPhones as iOS 26 Release Date Nears

Sunday August 31, 2025 4:35 pm PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 18.7 for compatible iPhone models, according to evidence of the update in the MacRumors visitor logs. We expect iOS 18.7 to be released in September, alongside iOS 26. The update will likely include fixes for security vulnerabilities, but little else. iOS 18.7 will be one of the final updates ever released for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR,...
iPhone 17 Pro on Desk Centered 1

Survey: Nearly 70% of Users Plan to Upgrade to iPhone 17

Monday September 1, 2025 8:24 am PDT by
A new survey has found that nearly seven in ten iPhone owners in the United States plan to upgrade to an iPhone 17 model, signaling strong demand ahead of Apple's expected unveiling of the devices at its September 9 keynote. Smartphone price comparison platform SellCell surveyed over 2,000 U.S.-based iPhone users in August to assess upgrade interest and brand loyalty before Apple's event....

Top Rated Comments

ShiftyPig Avatar
194 months ago
The most ridiculous aspect of this is that Apple doesn't even have a case - exhaustion doctrine says that the patent holder loses any claim to infringement at the first sale of a patented item. If Sanho is buying these things from Apple, there's no infringement.

This may be one of the most embarrassingly arrogant things I've seen Apple do. People can have whatever opinion of products, Apple tax, etc., but using financial might to launch a frivoulous lawsuit against a company who is providing a legitimate product is reprehensible. Good thing we all have removable batteries.... oh :(
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thejadedmonkey Avatar
194 months ago
If Apple allowed HyperMac to use the power cords it could open the door for Dell / HP to use them as well.
Never in a million years would that happen. The chargers cost $80 from Apple apiece, Dell's profit margins are ~15% on a $500 computer, or $75. Dell would have to take a $5 loss on each computer sold, just to offer the magsafe adapter, nevermind any R&D costs.

Hypermac sells their batteries for between $200-$500, $80 of which ends up going to Apple.


Bum move? Whose device is being sold as though it's their own?
But the first sale doctrine prevents any companies from controlling how their physical product is used, after it is purchased. This is why used bookstores exist, and it is why HyperMac should be allowed to keep doing what they're doing.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Amuraivel Avatar
194 months ago
If they are using 2nd hand connectors, I don't see how Apple can control the technology because Sanho is not manufacturing the product-- just like an author can't control who you sell your copy of their book too.

Just because a product is patented doesn't mean a company has the right to control all downstream uses of that technology when it's not being manufactured.

Moreover, Sanho isn't creating a product Apple makes.

If this legal doctrine Apple is asserting is allowed to persist IP holders will have a choke hold over the economy.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Full of Win Avatar
194 months ago
What a powerhungy move by Apple CONsumer Electronics. I would understand if they were making the connectors themselves, but they are buying APPLE MADE power AD/DC converters and using these connectors. I'm sure the Kool-aid crowd will overlook this and say how great this is of Apple to keep counterfeits off the market, not even releasing that they were just using Apple made products.

Or they could just pay Apple for a license to use the MagSafe connector. That would be the simplest solution. I'd guess they'll end up doing this after they get their publicity.
They are using original apple MagSafe connectors from power adapters made by Apple. Its not as if they are making a cheap knock-off, and somehow need to license the connector. This is just another example of Apple flexing its massive amount of power and pushing around "the little guy"
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)