Qi2 Wireless Charging Gains Momentum with Samsung Adoption, New Features

The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) provided a status update on the Qi2 wireless charging standard. Samsung has committed to including Qi2 in Samsung Galaxy Android devices in 2025. Android phone makers have previously been slow to adopt the standard. Apple iPhones include Qi2, which is based on a combination of the original Qi and Apple's MagSafe. Qi2 uses magnets for better alignment, and supports faster 15-watt charging. WPC announced that Qi v2.1 will include a "Qi2 Ready" designation for phones and phone cases. When a Qi2 Ready phone is used with its corresponding Qi2 Ready case, the combination will fully support Qi2. The Qi v2.1 specification will also include support for a moving coil in automotive applications. Instead of relying on magnets for alignment, the coil built into the car would physically move as it "looks for the phone's exact location, so it can lock in a perfect connection every time". WPC also mentioned Qi v2.2, which will include "high-power wireless charging technology" contributed by Google. Google says it "is committed to the Qi2 wireless charging standard and increasing the penetration of Qi2 into Android handsets", but stopped short of promising to include the tech in its own Pixel phones this year.