The newest version of the Qi2 wireless standard is coming to iPhones and some Android handsets. It has also received a snappy, new branding of Qi2 25W, denoting the wireless charging speed, which is miles better than the previous name of Qi2.2.
The big hook here is right in the name. Qi2 25W provides up to 25 watts of power delivery to compatible products, which is a 66 percent increase over the pre-existing Qi2 platform. Paul Struhsaker, Executive Director of the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) says that “Qi2 25W’s remarkably fast and efficient wireless charging will encourage increased penetration of wireless charging usage and accelerate the adoption of the new standard.”
Newer iPhones already use the Qi2 standard, so the company’s forthcoming adoption of Qi2 25W isn’t that big of surprise, though it is a welcome bit of news. Most Android phones, however, have never been Qi2-certified, so this is a potentially game-changing event for the platform. Some Android phones could technically integrate Qi2 charging, but it typically required a dedicated magnetic case of some kind.
Smartphones are just the latest category to adopt Qi2 25W. Several products, including power banks and chargers, were certified earlier this month. Qi2 25W, back when it was called Qi2.2, was first announced in April. The WPC says there are “several hundred” devices in the queue waiting to be tested and receive official certification. We still don’t know which Android phones are in that queue.