What Is Qi2? The Wi-fi Charging Customary Goes Magnetic

It is ironic, however we right here at WIRED have lengthy been followers of wi-fi charging. Not having to fumble with cables is good! Most wi-fi charging units today comply with the Qi (pronounced chee) normal, which has taken its time reaching ubiquity. (The person expertise has not all the time been nice.) The Wi-fi Energy Consortium, which manages the charging protocol, introduced the next-generation model referred to as Qi2 in early 2023, and we’re lastly beginning to see units supporting it. It guarantees good alignment, with the potential for equipment to bridge the Android and iPhone divide.

Sadly, Qi2 has not rolled out as rapidly or broadly as we anticipated this yr. As of August 2024, there is just one Qi2-certified Android cellphone, the HMD Skyline (6/10, WIRED Evaluate), and we had been dismayed to search out that it didn’t work with some older Qi chargers. Is Qi2 coming unstuck?

Up to date August 2024: We added particulars on Qi2 adoption, clarification on the totally different certification choices, and the unwelcome information that some Qi2 units can not cost with Qi chargers.

What Is Qi2?

{Photograph}: Simon Hill

Qi2 is the brand new open wi-fi charging normal from the Wi-fi Energy Consortium (WPC), and it brings vital upgrades over the unique Qi normal. The headline is the Magnetic Energy Profile (MPP), which relies on Apple’s MagSafe expertise. (Apple was concerned in growing the Qi2 normal.) This enables Qi2-branded units so as to add a hoop of magnets to make sure good alignment with chargers and permit for sooner charging speeds.

There’s one other normal, the nonmagnetic wi-fi charging Prolonged Energy Profile (EPP). This has led to some confusion. Per WPC’s Paul Golden, EPP refers to a tool that complies with the specification, however it isn’t formally Qi2 and thus can not use the brand or be known as a Qi2 system. Golden instructed WIRED in an electronic mail that such units “would carry the Qi logo, not Qi2, and packaging and/or marketing materials have a required statement that the device does not contain magnets. Any device labeled Qi2 is MPP and must include magnets.”

Qi2 can be absolutely backward suitable, so you possibly can cost an older Qi Android cellphone or MagSafe iPhone on a Qi2 charger. Now we have examined a number of, and this appears to carry true. We additionally anticipated any outdated Qi chargers to cost Qi2 units, albeit at slower speeds, but it surely seems that’s not true. The HMD Skyline, for instance, didn’t work with a number of outdated Qi chargers we examined, and it appears this can be par for the course. We should watch for extra Qi2 telephones to search out out, however with heavyweights like Google and Samsung failing to undertake Qi2 of their newest flagships it is perhaps awhile.