Does Having a MagSafe Wallet Mean I Have to Get Rid of My Regular Wallet?

While I was testing OpenCase, I remember sending out prototypes of the OpenCase iPhone cases and MagWallets to a host of friends and family. About a week later, I checked back in to see if they had any preliminary feedback. In this small group of initial testers, there was a two testers, who told me they hadn't even started testing yet, because they couldn't imagine getting rid of their regular wallet and fully committing to a magnetic phone wallet. I was so confused. Why would you have to choose between a MagSafe wallet and a regular wallet? I've always been a guy that used both, but this is the value of testing your product. It's more than dialing in the technical aspects of your product. It's learning how people think about your product.

About two weeks later, I called both testers back to see how things were going, and it was amazing to hear the update. Each of them had taken completely different paths, and for totally different reasons. In this post, we'll explore how things unfolded and any takeaways.

The Extreme Minimalist

Upon checking in with Tester 1, I was shocked at how things had worked out for him. From the start, this tester was EXTREMELY hesitant to even use the MagWallet at all, because he was terrified at losing it. His hesitation to embracing it was something a lot of consumers feel. Because he had expressed this from the start, we agreed that he could have stuff the MagSafe wallet with poster board cut into the shape of credit cards. Maybe he could just give feedback on how well the the OpenCase MagSafe case kept the wallet from falling off?

In quick time, not only did he decide to fill the MagSafe wallet with his actual credit cards and driver license, but he also completely got rid of his regular wallet. When he told me this, I was stunned!

After a few days of testing the OpenCase MagSafe Case and MagWallet with the prop credit cards inside it, he was shocked at how securely the wallet stayed on coming in and out of his pocket. It never budged for him, not even once. He proceeded to put his critical cards and ID in the MagWallet, and then scanned everything else into his phone (medical cards, loyalty cards, etc). The only thing he didn’t know what to do with was cash, as he liked to have a little bit at all times for “tech fail emergencies.” Other than that, he was now a MagSafe wallet and OpenCase iPhone case kind of guy. A wild transition. 

MagSafe Wallet + Regular Wallet

When I caught up with Tester 2, he had gone with the two wallet approach (MagSafe wallet + regular wallet). This tester reflected many of the same reasons that I use this approach. The cards he needed/used the most are stored in the MagSafe wallet attached to his iPhone. Everything else (cash, medical cards, etc) lives in his regular wallet. When he just needs to run an errand, he has everything he needs on his iPhone, whether it's his license to drive or card to pay at the register (although sometimes that's just Apple Pay). If he is going to on a more involved adventure, he has the MagWallet attached to his phone, but then, also brings his slimmed down wallet in his pocket, just to make sure he has EVERYTHING.

Tester 2 found the two wallet approach to be a nice balance. It’s my guess that that will be the norm for most. He also mentioned to me how secure the the MagWallet was with OpenCase. He said it was to the point that he “could not believe Apple hadn’t done this to begin with, with how much MagSafe accessories, and wallets in particular, move around on the back of a phone.” My sentiments exactly.

Conclusion

In the end, whether you use a MagSafe wallet to hold all the cards that matter to you or do a combination of magnetic phone wallet plus regular wallet, the approach comes down to your preferences, lifestyle, and priorities. The MagSafe wallet is perfect for those who prioritize ease, convenience, and minimalism, but for those who need more storage and prize having their physical cards for everything, adding a traditional wallet to the mix is also a great approach. The choice reflects the balance between simplicity and convenience, and more options and storage, but it’s up to each individual to decide where that balance lies.