Roman GłogulskiWireless charging technology was introduced to the smartphone market several years ago, but until now, finding the perfect standard that would satisfy all users has been a challenge. A year ago, the Wireless Power Consortium announced a revolution in this field, but progress so far has been partial.
In 2020, Apple launched the iPhone 12, which utilizes MagSafe technology. By using magnets, wireless charging has become more convenient and safer. Customers loved this technology, but unfortunately, no other manufacturer has been able to create a competitive alternative. However, it turned out that Apple is a member of the Wireless Power Consortium and in January 2023, it announced a closer collaboration with the organization. The result is the new Qi2 standard, which also uses magnets but can be adopted by all smartphone manufacturers.
In January of this year, at CES 2024, numerous magnetic Qi2 chargers were showcased. Accessory manufacturers were interested in this new technology, but unfortunately, none of the phones presented at the event were yet compatible with the new Qi2 standard. The first phone to support this standard will be the iPhone 15, but for users who have been using iPhones for years, the change will be merely cosmetic.
Meanwhile, Android smartphone manufacturers will have to wait a bit longer for Qi2-compatible devices. The reason for this delay is that the technology was standardized only at the end of last year, and developing a phone requires more time than creating a charger. However, it cannot be said that manufacturers are completely disinterested in this new technology. Considering previous experience with MagSafe technology, it is certain that in the near future, we will see more and more smartphones that are compatible with Qi2.
Although progress in wireless charging technology is still limited, it is worth being patient. Soon, it will be possible to use this convenient method of charging smartphones regardless of their model or manufacturer.
