Wireless charging has been a feature of the iPhone life since 2017, when it was added to the iPhone 8 and iPhone X. Three years later, with the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, wireless charging received a boost with the addition of MagSafe – Apple’s system of using magnets to ensure the wireless charger is correctly aligned.
Wireless charging is based on a standard called Qi (pronounced ‘chee’). When the iPhone was released in 2024, it received the latest version of that standard, Qi2. The Qi2 standard is managed by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC).
Apple introduced Qi2 in the iPhone 16. According to the WPC, When Qi2 devices began rolling out in the fall of 2023 but only Apple iPhone supported it, adding Qi2 to iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro owners. At CES 2025, Samsung announced that it was adding Qi2 to its Galaxy products in 2025. Google also says it will support the standard.
As well as being added to a variety of smartphones from major manufacturers, we can expect more Qi2-compatible accessories hit the market. And that’s good news for iPhone users looking for third-party charging accessories. While there have been many accessories on the market, those either the Qi2 logo will offer faster, more energy-efficient charging.
The WPC also notes that Qi2 offers better usability in cars with a moving charging coil that can find the optimal position to ensure efficient and effective charging. This is important as there’s no standard design in vehicles to ensure perfect positioning of the phone and charging coils.
Qi2 is a great innovation. I very rarely connect my iPhone to a cable for charging, relying on wireless charging almost 100% of the time. And with more Qi2 accessories like to come to the market, as the market for compatible accessories grows, iPhone owners will have greater choice.
Anthony is the founder of Australian Apple News. He is a long-time Apple user and former editor of Australian Macworld. He has contributed to many technology magazines and newspapers as well as appearing regularly on radio and occasionally on TV.