Currently, the majority of Apple’s recent iPhones are only able to wirelessly charge at 15W using a MagSafe charger. By comparison, using a Qi-certified charger will only yield charging speeds of up to 7.5W (for chargers capable of providing at least 7.5W charging speeds). This is set to change with the release of the upcoming iOS 17.2 update that will introduce support for the Wireless Power Consortium’s Qi2 wireless charging standard to select iPhones. Qi2 chargers can be certified using MagSafe-like ring magnets and are capable of charging at speeds of up to 15W. The iPhone 15 is the pioneer in adopting this standard, marking a significant advancement in wireless charging technology, however, it is still limited to 7.5W when charging on Qi chargers. When iOS 17.2 is released, this limit will be increased to 15W allowing iPhone 15 users to make full use of the capabilities of Qi2. While the update is still in beta testing, compatibility with Qi2 for the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 is also expected, although whether they will be capable of the full 15W charging speed on Qi2 remains to be confirmed.
Apple’s support for Qi2 in the iPhone 15 was not unexpected as this latest version of the Qi specification was heavily influenced by its MagSafe technology. The adoption of Qi2 into older iPhone models will be a great boost to Qi2 adoption. Apple iPhones have continually been one of the highest selling devices with wireless charging capability, creating a huge market for peripherals such as wireless charger pads and stands. Making three generations of iPhones compatible will give Qi2 charger manufacturers access to this established ecosystem. On the consumer side, users will no longer be tied to Apple’s expensive MagSafe chargers for faster charging and can instead opt for Qi2 chargers offering 15W speeds at a more affordable cost and promised improved power efficiency. The limited number of Qi2 compatible chargers (from brands such as Anker, Belkin, and Mophie) currently ready for launch or on the market will be able to capitalise on this initial spike in the volume of potential customers before other products are released.
A possible direction for this announcement will be the adoption of Qi2 into other Apple products such as AirPods and Apple Watches. Get in touch if you would like to learn more about wireless charging or would like to access our market data on wireless chargers and mobile devices such as smartphones.
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