Apple is now lending some of that expertise to help improve the Qi standard with its second major iteration, which arrives later this year and covers both phones and wearables. In press release published in Business Wire, the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), which oversees the development of Qi standards, says it is bringing an inherent Magnetic Power Profile system to Qi2. To recall, Chinese smartphone maker Realme has already showcased a similar wireless charging system called MagDart.

More Functional Than Innovative

As per WPC, Qi will end the confusion between Qi-compatible and Qi-certified charging accessories, while also raising the standards for safety and power efficiency. But that’s not the only Qi2 advantage in the pipeline for consumers. In its official press release, the consortium notes that the new “Magnetic Power Profile will ensure that phones or other rechargeable battery-powered mobile products are perfectly aligned with charging devices, thus providing improved energy efficiency and faster charging.” To recall, MagSafe is not the fastest wireless charging solution out there. That honor goes to the likes of Honor’s Magic 4 Pro, which draw wireless power at an unprecedented 100W output. In comparison, the OnePlus 10 Pro can only reach the 50W mark.

Industry leaders Samsung and Apple are far behind. But one area where Apple’s MagSafe system races ahead of the Qi standard is the magnetic clamping system, which locks the charger and the device in a fixed position. Aside from ensuring a secure power transfer, it has also paved the way for a bunch of creatively designed wireless charging accessories such as levitating table and car mount chargers.

A MagSafe-compatible iPhone, for example, is locked in its place while charging and also lets users interact with the screen without worrying about the phone sliding off the charging mat. What we don’t know, however, is if there will be a bump in wireless charging speeds when the Qi2 standard is ready for prime time.

Xiaomi has already demoed a stunningly fast 120W wireless charging tech for smartphones, and the rest of its Chinese rivals are not too far behind either. Apple is rumored to speed up MagSafe charging with the iPhone 15 generation, but given the tainted history of its wireless charging ambitions with the AirPower mat, it would be wise to wait for an official announcement regarding any such upgrade. What is certain, however, is that the convenience of a magnetically-locked wireless charging system is coming for all premium smartphones, instead of being limited to the iPhone’s paltry 15W wireless charging output.