What is Qi2 Wireless Charging? Detailed Explanation of What You Need to Know

Introduction

As technology advances, so does the way we charge our devices. Wireless charging has become increasingly popular in recent years, offering a convenient and cable-free way to keep our smartphones, smartwatches, and earbuds powered up. The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) has recently introduced the Qi2 wireless charging standard, which promises to take wireless charging to the next level. In this blog post, we'll explore what Qi2 wireless charging is, its standards, supported devices, and how it compares to other wireless charging technologies.

What is Qi2 Wireless Charging?

Qi2 is the next-generation wireless charging standard developed by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC). Building upon the success of the Qi1 standard, Qi2 aims to offer a more efficient, faster, and safer wireless charging experience for a wide range of devices. By incorporating magnetic alignment technology and supporting faster charging speeds, Qi2 seeks to address some of the limitations of its predecessor and provide a more seamless charging experience.

The Benefits of Qi2 Wireless Charging Standard

Faster Charging Speeds

A key upgrade in Qi2 is faster charging, with a required minimum power delivery rate of 15W at the adapter interface compared to just 5W or 7.5W for first generation Qi devices. This enables capable smartphones and other devices to charge up to 50% charge in about 30 minutes.

Increased Vertical Distance

Qi2 increases the allowed vertical clearance between a wireless charging device and receiver to 8mm, a 60% boost over the maximum 5mm separation in Qi version 1.0 systems. This provides more flexibility in positioning phones or other devices on charging pads.

Backward Compatibility

The Qi2 specification maintains backward compatibility with the large ecosystem of existing Qi1-certified devices. However, only future phones and devices specifically Qi2-certified can unlock faster charging speeds and greater coil separation distances.

Smarter Charging Capabilities

Qi2 enables smarter power delivery adaptations, with the capability for bidirectional communication between devices and chargers to optimize charging speeds and efficiency in real-time based on conditions.

Multi-Device Charging

Qi2 aims to improve simultaneous charging of multiple devices at once on charging mats and pads. This includes provisions to avoid interference between adjacent devices.

Expanded ecosystem

As more devices support Qi2, we can expect to see a growing ecosystem of compatible accessories, such as iPhone chargers, car mounts, and portable power banks.

Which Phones Support Qi2 Wireless Charging? 

As the Qi2 wireless charging standard is relatively new, the list of phones that support this technology is still growing. It is expected that many flagship smartphones from leading brands will adopt Qi2 wireless charging in the coming years.

Apple, known for its iPhone series, has built on the success of its MagSafe technology by adopting Qi2 wireless charging technology in its iPhone 15 models. Samsung, another major player in the smartphone market, is also expected to adopt Qi2 in its upcoming Galaxy S and Note series devices.

Other Android smartphone manufacturers, such as Google, Xiaomi, OnePlus, and Huawei, are likely to follow suit, integrating Qi2 wireless charging into their flagship offerings. As these brands have a history of adopting cutting-edge technologies, it is reasonable to anticipate their support for the Qi2 standard.

It is worth noting that the adoption of Qi2 wireless charging will likely be gradual, with some manufacturers introducing it in their high-end models before extending it to mid-range and budget devices. As the technology becomes more widespread and cost-effective, we can expect to see a broader range of smartphones supporting Qi2 wireless charging.

To take full advantage of Qi2 wireless charging, users will need to use a compatible wireless charger for iPhone or Android devices. Reputable brands are likely to offer a variety of Qi2-compatible wireless chargers, ensuring that users can enjoy the benefits of this advanced wireless charging technology with their supported devices.

Is Qi2 the same as MagSafe? What's the difference?

No, Qi2 and MagSafe refer to completely distinct wireless charging technologies that have several key differences:

Charging Method

The Qi2 wireless charging standard relies on an inductive coil system to transmit energy between chargers and devices without direct metal contact. By contrast, MagSafe uses magnets to align a wireless charging module to the iPhone for more efficient power transfer.

Device Compatibility

Qi2 is an open standard maintained by the Wireless Power Consortium that will eventually work across a wide spectrum of Qi2-supported Android and other smartphones once adopted by manufacturers. Meanwhile, MagSafe is an Apple proprietary charging method that only works with iPhones - no Android or other devices support it.

Speed Capability

While today’s MagSafe caps out at 15W charging rates just like early Qi devices, the new Qi2 specification significantly raises the bar with mandatory support for 15W charging and the potential to scale significantly above that. Apple has not announced any intention to make MagSafe charging speeds faster.

Accessories and Charging Pads

There is a vast global ecosystem of third party accessories supporting Qi wireless charging, including affordable charging pads, battery packs, cases, power banks and more. MagSafe accessories remain restricted to Apple's official product lineup only. Supporting the Qi2 standard in the future will be easy with a simple firmware update.

In summary, while MagSafe and Qi2 can both charge iPhone and Android devices wirelessly up to 15W today, Qi2 represents an open evolving standard driving innovation across brands.

What are the Differences Between Qi1 and Qi2?

Qi1 refers to the first generation of Qi wireless charging technology that currently dominates the market. Qi2 represents the next generation specification that aims to supersede Qi1 with upgrades including faster charging speeds. Here are the main differences:

Charging Power

Qi1 restricts charging output to a maximum of 7.5 or 10 watts in most implementations, limiting most devices to 5-10 watts charging intake. Qi2 more than doubles this with mandated support for 15-watt fast charging and likely even faster speeds in future.

Charging Distance

Qi1 allows for around a 5mm vertical separation distance between charging coils which requires precise device placement. Qi2 extends this range to 8mm for more positioning flexibility and better support for phone cases.

Backwards Compatibility

Qi2 wireless chargers will continue working seamlessly with older Qi1 phones. However, only devices with dedicated Qi2 support can unlock faster charging speeds above 10 watts that Qi2 enables.

Intelligence and Communication

Whereas Qi1 only supports simple inductive power transmission, Qi2 allows integrated circuitry in devices to communicate bidirectionally with chargers to regulate power flows for optimal efficiency.

In essence, Qi2 builds upon Qi's huge success with boosted charging speeds, convenience, and smarter capabilities. It moves wireless charging into an efficient future-facing era as adoption picks up over 2024-2025.

Conclusion

Qi2 wireless charging represents a significant step forward in the evolution of wireless charging technology. With improved efficiency, faster charging speeds, and enhanced safety features, Qi2 aims to provide a better user experience and wider adoption of wireless charging. As more devices support the Qi2 standard, it's essential to choose high-quality wireless charging accessories from reputable brands like UGREEN to ensure the best performance and compatibility.