Qi2 25W Aims to standardize fast wireless charging for iPhone and Android
The new Qi2 25W standard brings faster wireless charging to iPhones and major Android phones, unifying power at 25 watts!
The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) has released the latest version of its Qi charging standard, Qi2 25W, which is compatible with not only iPhones but also many major Android smartphones for the first time.
The WPC detailed in a press release that full-scale certification testing is now available, with hundreds of devices in line to be certified. Currently, fourteen devices, receivers, and transmitters have already been certified under the new Qi2 25W standard in a limited launch ahead of the announcement.
The Qi2 25W standard follows the original Qi2 charging ability, which was introduced almost two years ago, in November 2023, offering 15 watts of charging power. There have been over 1.5 billion devices, transmitters, and receivers certified under the Qi2 standard globally within a year of being introduced to the market, the Consortium noted.
The WPC’s Board of Directors chair, Fady Mishriki, noted that the Qi2 25W that the new standard offers nearly 70% more power than the previous standard, calling the number of devices waiting to be certified with Qi2 25W “unprecedented.”
“The momentum building behind the next stage in the evolution of the Qi standard is incredible,” Mishriki said.
The WPC is following up with consumer requests for faster wireless charging. This can be an industry-wide benefit as it will allow there to be a more consistent charging standard for devices. Many smartphone brands have become accustomed to launching their own fast charging protocols that are optimized for their devices but might not work well or at all with others. Qi2 ushered in a broader standard for fast charging, while Qi2 25W is pushing forward with a fast wireless charging certification, WPC noted.
Many Android manufacturers have used their own branded fast-charging and wireless charging options as marketing opportunities to make their devices more attractive to consumers. Some charging options have had power delivery far beyond 25 watts, making the interoperability between devices apparent.
Engadget noted that some Android phones could potentially integrate the Qi standard into their hardware, but brands could also enable the protocol with Qi-enabled magnetic cases.
There is no word on which Android smartphones are set to be Qi-certified.