The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) has announced the next-generation wireless charging standard, the Qi2 standard to unify the industry and offer consumers efficiency and convenience for mobile devices and wearables.
Launching later this year, the new Qi2 standard is built on Apple’s MagSafe wireless charging technology. In 2020, Apple introduced MagSafe charger along with iPhone 12 which magnetic alignment experience to easily snap on the back of the smartphone and provide faster wireless charging up to 15W. And compatible with Qi charging, MagSafe chargers can be used to wireless charge iPhone 8 and later models, and AirPods with MagSafe charging cases.
Qi2 standard to offer faster wireless charging and improve power efficiency
The announcement details that as a member of WPC, Apple provided the technology which is at the core of the upcoming Qi2 standard to offer improved faster charging and power efficiency without damaging the consumers’ phones or deteriorating their battery health.
WPC member, Apple®, provided the basis for the new Qi2 standard building on its MagSafe® technology. Apple® and other WPC members developed the new Magnetic Power Profile, which is at the core of Qi2. Qi2’s Magnetic Power Profile will ensure that phones or other rechargeable battery-powered mobile products are perfectly aligned with charging devices, thus providing faster charging and improving energy efficiency by reducing the enegry loss when phone or the charger is not aligned.
The executive director of WPC, Paul Struhsaker said that the Qi2 standard would end the confusion related to Qi-certified chargers and poor user experience. The Qi2 Certified mobile devices and chargers would be available for the 2023 holiday season.
“Consumers and retailers have been telling us they’re confused concerning what devices are Qi Certified and those that claim to work with Qi but are not Qi Certified. This confusion can lead to a poor user experience and even safety issues. Our standard assures consumers that their devices are safe, efficient, and interoperable with other brands. Qi2 will be the global standard for wireless charging and provide consumers and retailers with that assurance.”
