By now, you’re likely familiar with Qi (pronounced “chee”) charging. This is the charging technology that allows you to plop a mobile device, like a compatible smartphone (now including the latest iPhones) or true wireless earbuds case atop a flat surface to gain an instant wireless charge. Qi charging is evolving, however. And this year, it’s all about Qi2.
What is Qi2 Charging?
The Qi charging protocol is managed by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), and the organization announced the next evolution, Qi2, late last year. Now, we’re finally seeing products come to fruition that support it. Many of them, in fact, were on display at CES 2024 earlier this month from top brands like Belkin, Anker, and Scosche.
Just like Qi, Qi2 is an open wireless charging standard. But this one was developed alongside Apple, integrating benefits of MagSafe technology, which is found in the latest generation iPhones. Magnetic Power Profile (MPP), based on MagSafe, is at the heart of Qi2. Devices that can work with Qi2 charging will have a ring of magnets inside that allow for ideal alignment with the charging surface. This, in turn, should permit faster charging speeds. That’s a big deal because slow charging is one of the biggest issues that has plagued wireless charging to date.
Qi2 is fully backward compatible with Qi, so even devices that use Extended Power Profile (EPP) without any magnets will still work with Qi2 chargers. But these will remain branded as Qi charging compatible and will continue to charge at the slower speeds. If you purchase a new Qi2 charger, you don’t need to worry that it won’t work with your old phone or earbuds, and vice versa. Think of it like a wired charging block that might support faster speeds but will only charge your device at the maximum speed it supports.
What Benefits Does Qi2 Charging Offer?
Now that we know what Qi2 charging is, what benefits does it offer over and above Qi?
Faster charging: As noted, you’ll get faster charging with a Qi2 charger and Qi2 compatible devices. Qi charging is 5 watts while Qi2 can charge a compatible phone or other device at 15 watts, the same as MagSafe. This isn’t a blazing fast speed, and it’s still nothing close to a wired charger (some phones can charge with a wired USB-C cable at as much as 45 watts). But it’s far quicker than you have become used to with Qi charging.
More efficient: Qi2 is more efficient than Qi because the MPP ensures perfect alignment between the coils in your phone or other device and the induction coils in the charging base. Since the two are always in sync, you lose less power from misalignment. Lost energy can convert to heat, which can impact your phone’s battery. The MPP profile results in gains relating to efficiency.
Compatible with more accessories: Since Qi2 chargers are backwards compatible, as mentioned, they will work with both the latest Qi2 devices as well as older model Qi devices. There will also be accessories like cases with magnetic rings, or magnetic rings on their own that can you affix to a third-party case. With these, you’ll be able to charge a phone that doesn’t have magnets on a Qi2 charger and enjoy the benefits of faster charging. It effectively works in much the same way that MagSafe charging cases do. There are already MagSafe charging cases for Android phones as well as Apple.
What Qi2 Charging Devices are Available Now?
There are some new Qi2 devices available or coming soon from top brands. It might take some time before you see more, since each must be tested by the WPC in independent labs to be officially certified. Any device you see with the Qi2 logo has been certified for the charging rate, magnet strength, and device compatibility, meeting WPC’s stringent standards.
Scosche
Satechi
The Scosche BaseLynx 2.0, for example, is the next generation of the company’s modular charging system. It now has a Qi2-certified magnetic wireless charging stand for your phone and AirPods wireless charging case. It comes with four interconnected modules you can orient how you wish to charge other devices, too. This includes via USB-C, magnetic connection for Apple Watch, and an AC outlet.
The brand is also extending Qi2 to the car with new versions of its popular MagicMount wireless charging mounts for the dash and vent. If you’re using a non-MagSafe-compatible phone, you can add the MagicRing adapter to make the device compatible.
Satechi has its 3-in-1 and 2-in-1 foldable Qi2 wireless charging stands that also support the new standard. Both offer 15W power to an iPhone (twice that of a traditional Qi charger), 5W power to AirPods, and 5W power to an Apple Watch. Since they are foldable and compact, they are perfect for taking on the go.
Belkin
Belkin is a leader in the charging space, and the company has plenty of Qi2 compatible chargers, including the BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 wireless charging pad and the BoostCharge Convertible Qi2 wireless pad to stand. The former can, as the name implies, charge three devices wirelessly at the same time. The latter can charge your phone lying flat or hold it upright, ideal for the nightstand or while video chatting or watching movies.
Anker
Another top brand in the charging space is Anker, and that company has new Qi2 chargers, too. This includes an on-the-go charging bank, the Anker MagGo Power Bank 10K, that has an LCD on the side to show charging status, 10,000 mAh capacity for multiple charges of a phone, foldable kickstand to prop the phone upright, and five colour choices. There’s also the funky globe-designed Anker MagGo wireless charging station that’s perfect for the nightstand or office. It not only has a wireless charging surface to charge at 15 watts but also a 67-watt USB port and three AC ports so you can power all your devices in one neat and tidy spot.
What Devices Support Qi2 Charging?
Not surprising, chief among the devices that currently support Qi2 charging are iPhones, including the new Apple iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Qi2, in fact, is supported all the way back to the iPhone 13 models, since this is when Apple integrated MagSafe charging into the mobile devices.
We’re still waiting to see Android phones come to market that are Qi2 certified. It was anticipated that the new Samsung Galaxy S24 devices would support it, but they do not. For now, you can invest in a Qi2 charger to future-proof your set-up and still use it to charge Qi devices. Once you upgrade, rest assured your new Qi2 enabled device will charge much more quickly through the Qi2 charger.
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