It is ironic, however we right here at WIRED have lengthy been wireless charging fans. Not having to fumble with cables is sweet! Most wi-fi charging units as of late observe the Qi (pronounced chee) normal, which has taken its time reaching ubiquity. (The user experience has not always been great.) The Wi-fi Energy Consortium, which manages the charging protocol, introduced the next-generation model referred to as Qi2 in early 2023. Qi2 wi-fi charging guarantees good alignment, with the potential for equipment to bridge the Android and iPhone divide.
Sadly, Qi2 has not rolled out as shortly or extensively as we anticipated. Whereas each iPhone (from the 12 collection on) helps Qi2 now, there was just one Qi2-certified Android cellphone launched in 2024, the HMD Skyline, and we had been dismayed to seek out that it didn’t work with some older Qi chargers. Hopes that 2025 is likely to be a special story have taken an early knock with the information that Samsung’s Galaxy S25 is only Qi2 Ready. So, what is going on on with Qi2?
Up to date February 2025: We added extra particulars on Qi2 adoption and an evidence of the brand new Qi2 Prepared instances and telephones like Samsung’s Galaxy S25.
What Is Qi2?
{Photograph}: Simon Hill
Qi2 is an open wi-fi charging normal from the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), and it brings vital upgrades over the unique Qi normal. The headline is the Magnetic Energy Profile (MPP), which relies on Apple’s MagSafe technology. (Apple was concerned in creating the Qi2 normal.) This enables Qi2-branded units so as to add a hoop of magnets to make sure good alignment with chargers and permit for quicker charging speeds.
There may be one other normal: the nonmagnetic wi-fi charging Prolonged Energy Profile (EPP). Per WPC’s Paul Golden, EPP refers to a tool that complies with the specification, however just isn’t formally Qi2 and thus can’t use the brand or be known as a Qi2 machine. Golden informed WIRED in an e-mail that such units “would carry the Qi brand, not Qi2, and packaging and/or advertising supplies have a required assertion that the machine doesn’t include magnets. Any machine labeled Qi2 is MPP and should embrace magnets.”
To muddy the waters additional, we now have the “Qi2 Prepared” Samsung Galaxy S25 series. Out of the field, the Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Extremely assist the Qi wi-fi charging normal, and they don’t have magnets. However you’ll be able to add magnets by shopping for your individual Qi2 Ready cases (obtainable from Samsung and third events). Mix an authorized and examined Qi2 Prepared case with a Qi2 Prepared cellphone and also you successfully have a Qi2 cellphone (with the identical enhanced charging velocity and effectivity) that you need to use with Qi2 power banks and chargers.
This irritating and considerably complicated stopgap is probably going because of the lengthy growth cycle of telephones and the issue of designing magnets into them. Wanting on the intense aspect, since Qi2 Prepared is cheaper and simpler, it might be a viable path in bringing Qi2 to cheaper phones.
