- The standard Qi2 25W is just launched
- It brings 25W wireless charging speeds to a variety of devices
- “Several hundred” devices awaiting certification
Wireless charging could be faster and more efficient with an update to the QI standard, Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) has announced, with the industry that says the new Qi2 25W platform should allow your phone “even faster and more efficient.”
The message explains that the Qi2 25W increases the maximum wireless charging speed for the Qi standard from 15W to 25W, one step up to just under 70%. It is designed to work across devices and ecosystems so they will not be locked down to proprietary products or designs.
To this end, the consortium says the new standard will be supported by “Major Android SmartPhones” in addition to Apple’s iPhone (currently the iPhone 16 series is the only ones supporting wireless 25W charging). So far, fourteen “units, recipients and transmitters” have been certified with “hundreds of” more waiting time in line.
QI2 was launched in November 2023, but its standard charge rate was set at 15W. One of the key features of QI2 was magnetic adaptation, which was based on Apple’s Magsafe concept after the Cupertino giant let its technique be used by WPC.
Faster, more effective charging
The advantage of something like Qi2 25W is that it is intended to be cross -platform. While several manufacturers have launched their own exclusive charging solutions over the years, they often ran into the problem of not offering the same benefits to all devices.
E.g. The iPhone 16 has been able to charge at 25W since it was launched in 2024, but only with an Apple-certified Magsafe charging pillow, while QI2 alternatives were stuck at 15W. Now iPhone users can enjoy 25W charging speeds with any Qi2 25W charger, not just Magsafe.
Android has been a little slower to adopt 25W, with most Google-driven phones limited to the 15W speeds of the old Qi2 standard. This means that you will soon get much faster wireless charging speeds if you are not Apple customer and give your phone certified by WPC.
To get the full 25W charging output you need a 30W USB-C power supply or higher. You also need to make sure your phone is compatible. WPC has not said which devices have already been approved, nor which ones are in the queue, but we keep our eyes peeled for updates.
With WPC that says hundreds of devices are waiting for certification, there is hope that this standard will be widely adopted so you can jupp your device with a wide range of chargers with impressive zipper speeds. Whether you have an iPhone or an Android device, you must feel the benefits soon.
