The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) has introduced Qi2, the new wireless charging successor to Qi, which takes some inspiration from Apple’s MagSafe charging. A press release by WPC stated that the idea was to create a unified system that would work with both Android and Apple devices.
Qi2 will replace the current Qi standard that has existed for over 13 years. It will be installed using a magnet system and wireless charging coil, similar to Apple’s MagSafe technology that comes with the iPhone 12. However, it will come with a feature called Magnetic Power Profile, which allows phones and other devices to perfectly balance with maximum charging speed and efficiency. This feature will also provide cross-brand compatibility.
“The excellent balancing of Qi2 improves energy efficiency by reducing the loss of energy that can occur when the phone or charger is unbalanced,” said Paul Struhsaker, executive director of WPC. It will greatly reduce the associated storage waste and the stress placed on cables by daily connect and disconnect.”
The first version of Qi2.0 will be released this year with 15-watt charging support, foreign object detection, and more. It will also provide faster charging for some devices, improve security and prevent device damage or shortened battery life.
The Magnetic Strength Profile, on the other hand, will make upgrades easier. In a conversation with The Verge by WPC, it was said that future iterations will raise charge levels “significantly” above 15 watts. It can also enable wireless charging for unusually shaped accessories that are not compatible with the current flat charging dock product.
Still, there are still some unanswered questions about Qi2’s current Qi standard or backward compatibility with Apple’s MagSafe.
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