Apple surprises with Qi2 wireless charging support for older iPhones

Apple, known for its cautious approach to new standards, already surprised us with Qi2 compatibility on its iPhone 15, but it seems that Cupertino has more tricks up its sleeve. According to 9to5Mac and some users, the release notes for the iOS 17.2 release candidate state that this update adds "Qi2 charger support for all iPhone 13 models and iPhone 14 models." This implies that these iPhone models can support up to 15W wireless charging with Qi2-certified chargers, although the release notes did not confirm the power specs. We will find out when Apple releases iOS 17.2 to the general public—probably in a few days.

Previously, 15W input on these iPhone models was only achievable through MagSafe-certified chargers, while the cheaper MagSafe-compatible ones were restricted to 7.5W. With Qi2's comparable performance, consumers will have more economical options for 15W wireless chargers, as manufacturers will not have to pay the Apple premium for MagSafe certification.

Qi2 was first unveiled at CES 2023, with its main feature being its MagSafe-like wireless fast charging standard — even for Android devices. This uses a "Magnetic Power Profile" to ensure compatibility across phones and chargers. While the output is currently limited to 15W, future versions will "significantly" increase charging levels beyond 15W, according to the Wireless Power Consortium. 

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