Qi2 – new wireless charging standard brings iPhone and Android together
21/11/2023
Translation: Eva Francis
The Qi2 standard for wireless charging of smartphones and accessories will be available soon. The first accessories are expected to be launched before Christmas 2023. But what are the benefits of Qi2?
The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) announced the new charging standard at the beginning of 2023. The first accessories were presented at IFA in Berlin. By Christmas, Qi2 (pronounced «chee two») are set to hit homes.
According to WPC, over 100 devices are currently undergoing final tests. The manufacturers? Belkin, Mophie, Anker and Aircharge, to name but a few.
What is Qi?
The Qi standard enables wireless charging of smartphones and other portable devices. So far, however, only the Android world has been using the Qi standard, while Apple relied on Magsafe. Charging iPhones on Qi stations and Android devices on Magsafe ones is possible, but not at full power.
Source: Lorenz Keller
What are the benefits of Qi2?
Apple has now joined the Wireless Power Consortium, so everything can be combined into one standard. Among other things, the iPhone manufacturer has introduced its magnetic mount. Qi2 offers two charging profiles:
Magnetic Power Profile (MPP): MPP supports up to 15 watts of charging power and the magnetic mount that we know from Apple’s Magsafe. The iPhone 15 is the first phone to support Qi2 with the Magnetic Power Profile. Android devices such as the next Google Pixel are likely to follow. Smartphones and accessories with MPP feature the new Qi2 logo.
Extended Power Profile (EPP): EPP also allows for charging capacities of up to 15 watts, but without magnetic mount. Gadgets with EPP are marked with the existing Qi logo.
It’s also important to know that Qi2 is more efficient than its predecessor. In other words, less energy is lost during wireless charging – especially in combination with the magnetic positioning of the charging coils, which is perfectly aligned with the smartphone. On top of this, charging station and gadget can communicate better with each other, allowing for more gentle and adaptive charging.
Source: Lorenz Keller
Does this mean I have to buy new devices?
Not necessarily. You can continue to use the existing chargers. The smartphones and headphones with Qi2 certification that will be launched in the coming months can also be charged wirelessly with the old chargers. However, they won’t necessarily achieve the full charging power of 15 watts. The same applies when you’re charging older gadgets with a new Qi2 charger.
The advantage of the new technology is that the new magnetic mounts also work with Android devices, such as decorative chargers or docking points for the car that charge your phone and keep it in sight. Qi2 also standardises the charging speed. On top of this, the range of accessories for iPhones is likely to increase. And as Magsafe no longer has to be certified separately, the price level could also sink.
Source: Lorenz Keller
There’ll still be proprietary systems that can charge wirelessly much faster, but they’ll only work with devices from the same manufacturer. Google, for example, offers 23 watts for the Pixel, while Oppo and OnePlus deliver 50 watts with AirVooc and Warp and Xiaomi allows for 80 watts.
Header image: Lorenz Keller
Lorenz Keller
Senior Editor
Lorenz.Keller@digitecgalaxus.chGadgets are my passion - whether you need them for the home office, for the household, for sport and pleasure or for the smart home. Or, of course, for the big hobby next to the family, namely fishing.