The highly anticipated release of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro brought with it the introduction of the new Qi2 magnetic wireless charging standard. However, it was later revealed that these devices are not yet Qi2-certified. Despite this, Qi2 is an exciting update to the existing Qi wireless charging standard, as it incorporates a ring of magnets to ensure proper alignment of the charging coils, similar to Apple’s MagSafe technology. Unlike MagSafe, Qi2 is an open standard, with Apple even contributing its “magnetic power profile” to the development of Qi2. Consequently, it is expected that Android phone manufacturers will also adopt this standard.
The addition of magnetic alignment is a significant improvement as it resolves the frustration of waking up to a dead phone due to placing it slightly off-center on the charger. Plugging the phone in does solve this issue, but wireless charging offers convenience and Qi2’s magnetic alignment eliminates the need for precise placement.
Another advantage of Qi2 is its potential to address a counterintuitive problem. Currently, if an $18 MagSafe-compatible charger is used on an iPhone, it will charge at 7.5W. However, if a magnetic case is added to an Android phone and placed on the same charger, it will charge at 10W. When an Android phone is placed on a certified MagSafe charger, the charging rate drops to 5W or even less, while an iPhone would receive 15W. With the introduction of Qi2, there is the possibility of having a single magnetic charger that aligns properly each time and charges all devices at the same rate.
For iPhone owners, the introduction of Qi2 brings good news. Currently, Apple limits most wireless chargers to a 7.5W rate, reserving faster 15W charging for expensive MagSafe-certified chargers. Qi2 is expected to change this, allowing iPhones to wirelessly charge at 15W with any Qi2-compatible charger. Companies such as Anker, Belkin, and Mophie have already announced Qi2 chargers, and although these have not explicitly mentioned compatibility with the iPhone, a Belkin spokesperson has confirmed that the Qi2 chargers will be able to charge MagSafe iPhones at 15W.
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While the official specifications and details regarding Qi2 support for the iPhone 15 lineup are not yet available, it is important to note that Qi2 products have not been certified yet. However, the Qi2 specification has been finalized, and certification testing equipment is currently being awaited. This explains the lack of a public-facing certification database for Qi2.
The exact specifications, such as magnet size, dimensions, and strength, will be specified in the Qi2 standard, but it is still unclear whether previous MagSafe iPhones will work with Qi2 chargers. Similarly, it is uncertain whether future Qi2 phones will be compatible with existing MagSafe-compatible handles, mounts, and stands.
Despite this uncertainty, if the iPhone 15 does support 15W charging over Qi2, there is still one reason to consider MagSafe certification: StandBy mode. While StandBy mode can be used with any charger, it can remember specific preferences when used with a MagSafe-certified charger in a particular location. For example, if you have different chargers by your nightstand and desk, StandBy mode will automatically display the preferred screen for each location.
The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), the organization responsible for developing the Qi2 standard, is currently aiming for a “soft launch” in October, with a full rollout planned for November. Further information regarding Qi2 certification and compatibility is expected to be available soon.
