Apple, known for its cautious approach to adopting new standards, has surprised users with Qi2 compatibility on the iPhone 15. However, it appears that Cupertino has additional innovations in the pipeline. The release notes for the iOS 17.2 RC (release candidate) reveal that this update introduces “Qi2 charger support for all iPhone 13 models and iPhone 14 models.” This implies that these iPhone models should now be compatible with up to 15W of wireless charging using Qi2-certified chargers. While the release notes don’t explicitly confirm the power specifications, the public release of iOS 17.2, expected in a few days, will likely provide more clarity.
Previously, achieving 15W input on these iPhone models was limited to MagSafe-certified chargers, with MagSafe-compatible options being restricted to 7.5W. With the adoption of Qi2’s comparable performance, consumers can anticipate more cost-effective choices for 15W wireless chargers, as manufacturers won’t be obliged to pay the Apple premium for MagSafe certification.
Qi2, introduced at CES 2023, features a MagSafe-like wireless fast charging standard, applicable even to Android devices. Utilizing the “Magnetic Power Profile,” Qi2 ensures compatibility across various phones and chargers. While the current output is capped at 15W, the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) indicates that future iterations will significantly surpass this level. Anticipated during the holiday season are a range of Qi2-compatible accessories, including offerings from Anker, and this trend is expected to gain momentum at CES 2024 next month.
iOS 17.2 enables Qi2 on the iPhones 13 and 14. (iPhones 15 already shipped with it). pic.twitter.com/pvwPvciq7q
— Rosyna Keller (@rosyna) December 5, 2023
