New Delhi: Wireless charging has always sounded great on paper, but in reality, it has mostly been showy, unreliable, and fragmented across smartphones. That’s about the change with the rollout of Qi2, the next-generation wireless charging standard that promises faster speeds and better efficiency for both iPhones and major Android smartphones. This isn’t another specs bump. Qi2 aims to bring universal, MagSafe-style magnetic charging to all devices that support it, meaning no more fiddling around with the misaligned coils or painfully slow charge speeds.
Now, there are some users who are familiar with Qi2 wireless charging, while others are not aware of Qi2. Essentially, ii2 is built on Apple’s MagSafe technology, but it is now being standardised across the industry through the Wireless Power Consortium. That means every phone using Qi2 will feature magnets, ensuring a secure lock between charger and device. It also introduces a 25W wireless charging speed limit, up from the usual 7.5W-15W range users have seen on most Qi chargers.
The iPhone 13, 14, and 15 already support this technology unofficially, but starting with iOS 17.4, Apple has begun rolling out official Qi2 support; expect this to become standard across the iPhone 16 lineup as well. For Android phones, the WPC states that major brands are already on board to roll out Qi 2 phones later this year. No names have been announced yet, but expect Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, and Google to join the party soon; it’s long overdue.
If done right, Qi2 could finally address all the issues that have been annoying about wireless charging for years. The magnetic alignment reduces heat and boosts efficiency, while the 25W speed puts it closer to real wired charging performance. This is especially relevant for users who rely on nightstands, desks, or car mounts to charge their phones wirelessly, where the ‘place and pray’ method often leads to a dead phone by morning. Qi2 addresses this issue with magnets and smarter power delivery. And because of its cross-platform standard, accessory makers can finally build for one specification instead of juggling separate iPhone and Android versions.
Qi2 accessories have already begun to hit global markets, and the first wave of certified Android phones is expected to arrive in the second half of 2025. Apple has already quietly flipped the switch with the software, so if users are buying a phone later this year or thinking of upgrading their wireless charger, check for Qi2 compatibility, because this time, wireless charging might live up to the hype.
