BYD Unveils MagSafe-Style 'Flexible Buttons' for Cars
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- BYD previewed 'Flexible Buttons,' a detachable magnetic smart device that uses Bluetooth to remotely control the vehicle's infotainment, climate, audio, and other in-car features at the push of a button.
- The device uses MagSafe-style magnets so it can be easily installed and charged in the vehicle, and can be carried on the go to control the car remotely instead of pulling out a smartphone.
- BYD also previewed a brand-new central magnetic hub designed to connect, charge, and manage smart in-car devices as part of its broader push into in-vehicle software and hardware.
- The Great Tang (Datang in China) flagship electric SUV will be the first vehicle to feature the new tech when it launches June 17, 2026.
- The Great Tang received over 100,000 preorders in its first two weeks after preorders opened at the Beijing Auto Show in April, with presale prices starting at 250,000 yuan ($36,500).
- The Great Tang measures 5,263 mm long with a 3,130 mm wheelbase — slightly larger than the Hyundai IONIQ 9 and Kia EV9 — and boasts '29 world firsts,' including a 590-mile (950 km) pure-electric range, Flash Charging tech, and China's first 2+2+3 seven-seat configuration.
- BYD last month revealed China's first 4nm smart driving chip, enabling L3 and L4 autonomous driving capabilities as the automaker expands beyond building batteries and drivetrains into chips and smart-device ecosystems.
Why it matters: BYD is turning its vehicles into platforms for an expanding smart-device ecosystem, mirroring Apple's MagSafe playbook. With the Great Tang already pulling 100,000 preorders in two weeks at a $36,500 starting price and offering 590 miles of range, BYD is stacking hardware, software, and now proprietary chips to deepen the moat against competitors like Hyundai and Kia in China's premium EV segment.
