- The Qi2 25W standard has just been launched
- It brings 25W wireless load speeds to a range of devices
- “Several hundred” devices await certification
The wireless load could become faster and more efficient with an QI standard update, the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) announced.
The announcement explains that the Qi2 25W increases the maximum wireless charge rate of the Qi standard from 15 W to 25W, just under 70%. It is designed to operate between devices and ecosystems, so will not be locked in proprietary products or conceptions.
To this end, the consortium claims that the new standard will be supported by “main Android smartphones” in addition to Apple’s iPhone (currently the iPhone 16 series is the only ones that support wireless 25W). Until now, fourteen “devices, receivers and transmitters” have been certified, with “several hundred” more by queuing.
Qi2 was launched in November 2023, but its standard load rate was set at 15 W. One of the main Qi2 characteristics was magnetic alignment, which was based on the Apple Magsafe concept after the Cupertino giant allowed its technology to be used by WPC.
Faster and more efficient load
The advantage of something like Qi2 25W is that it is supposed to be multiplate. Although several manufacturers have launched their own exclusive load solutions over the years, they have often encountered the problem of not offering the same advantages to all devices.
For example, the iPhone 16 has been able to load at 25 W since its launch in 2024, but only with an Apple certified Magsafe load, while Qi2 alternatives were blocked at 15 W. Now, iPhone users can take advantage of 25 W load speeds with any Qi2 25W charger, not just Magsafe.
Android was slightly slower to adopt 25 W, most of the phones supplied by Google limited to the speeds of 15 W from the old Qi2 standard. This means that you will soon get much faster wireless load speeds if you are not an Apple customer, providing your WPC certified phone.
In order to obtain the full load output of 25 W, you will need a USB-C 30W or more power supply. You will also need to make sure your phone is compatible. The WPC has not said which devices have already been approved, nor which are in the queue, but we will keep our eyes open for updates.
With the WPC saying that hundreds of devices await certification, there is hope that this standard will be largely adopted, allowing you to make juice of your device with a wide range of chargers at impressive zipppy speeds. Whether you have an Android iPhone or device, you should soon feel the advantages.
