The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) has announced that its next-generation wireless charging standard will use Apple-designed MagSafe as its basis to provide improved energy efficiency and faster charging for phones and other rechargeable battery-powered mobile products through magnetic alignment.
The new Qi2 wireless charging standard will be introduced later this year, bringing with it the WPC’s new Magnetic Power Profile, which is at the core of Qi2.
Similar to MagSafe, the next-generation standard will harness magnetic connections between devices and wireless charging accessories to offer faster charging, providing enhanced convenience and efficiency for mobile devices and wearables.
According to the WPC, the Qi2 standard will ensure that like MagSafe accessories, all Qi2 compatible devices and accessories will align perfectly together, claiming that the Magnetic Power Profile will “pave the way for significant future increases in wireless charging speeds that are safe, and energy-efficient and won’t shorten battery life or damage a user’s phone.”
Energy efficiency and sustainability are on everyone’s minds these days, said Paul Struhsaker, executive director of the Wireless Power Consortium. Qi2’s perfect alignment improves energy efficiency by reducing the energy loss that can happen when the phone or the charger is not aligned. Just as important, Qi2 will greatly reduce the landfill waste associated with wired charger replacement due to plugs breaking and the stress placed on cords from daily connecting and disconnecting.
Qi2 Certified mobile phones and chargers are expected to be available for the 2023 holiday season.