At CES 2023, a new standard for wireless charging was announced. Called Qi2, it is based on Apple’s MagSafe, which opens its technology to Android smartphones. A future revolution?
Wireless charging has become a key criterion for some users when choosing a smartphone. Thanks to it, all you have to do is place your device on the wireless charger so that the energy transmission takes place by magnetic induction. It’s really practical so you don’t have to make the effort to plug in your smartphone or end up with wires lying around everywhere. On the other hand, the energy balance is quite catastrophic… Another impractical detail: depending on the model, some wireless chargers are not compatible with all brands of smartphones and do not all offer the same power – moreover, like as usual, Apple has locked down its ecosystem. Ultimately, consumers are lost between Qi-certified devices — the ubiquitous standard for wireless charging that ensures it’s safe, efficient, and interoperable — and those that claim to work with Qi but aren’t Qi-certified.
To overcome this problem, the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) announced at CES 2023 a new generation for its standard: the Qi2 (pronounced “tchi”). She aims to become “the global standard for wireless charging and will provide that assurance to consumers and retailers”as he explains in a statement. It promises improved wireless charging thanks to Apple – also a member of the consortium – which provides the foundations for this new standard with its MagSafe technology. Apple and the other members of the WPC have developed the Magnetic Power Profile, which is the heart of Qi2.
Apple MagSafe: a system of magnets to optimize charging
The Qi2 differs from Qi by the presence of magnets used for the alignment of the charger and the smartphone. For this, he was strongly inspired by Apple’s MagSafe, who has “provided the basis for the new Qi2 standard”. This technology improves wireless charging by adding magnets in the phone and the charging roller to perfectly align the two elements, thus improving charging. As a reminder, the Qi standard arrived at Apple with the iPhone 8 and X, which inaugurated wireless charging. Then, with the iPhone 12, Apple added its in-house MagSafe overlay, which combines the classic charging system with the magnetic alignment system. Result: the charger remains glued to the back of the iPhone and the user can for example make a phone call while charging his phone – but, suddenly, he finds himself again with a wired charger.
A MagSafe charger can go up to 15W – in comparison, wireless chargers for Android usually go up to 10W – while avoiding energy loss as much as possible. Note, however, that some Android chargers exceed the 15 W offered by MagSafe chargers, such as the Pixel Stand 2, which rises to 23 W for compatible Pixels and 15 W for other smartphones.
Qi2: a new standard that is still a little vague
The Qi 2 standard now offers, and this is the great novelty, a Magnetic Power Profile which will improve wireless charging thanks to magnets which will correctly align the charging coil and the smartphone, “thus providing improved energy efficiency and faster charging”. She will also “pave the way for future significant increases in wireless charging speeds that will be safe and energy efficient and will not reduce battery life or harm the user’s phone”, promises the WPC. Still happy ! However, the press release does not indicate whether the charging speed will necessarily be able to reach 15 W, like MagSafe – perhaps in a second step?
There are still some gray areas in this announcement about the new standard. In fact, it is not known if the Qi 2 chargers will be compatible with the iPhones, given that the model of magnets will not be exactly the same as that developed by Apple. Similarly, devices supporting the standard might also require the wireless charger to be certified as well, which may increase user confusion. The first Qi2 models should arrive at the end of 2023. It will therefore be a while before many devices are certified.