What's been the buzz around Qi2 wireless charging lately that everyone seems to be talking about it? Is it just a mere saying at least for the headlines or there's something more to Qi2? Let me take you back to the CES event in 2023 when Qi2 wireless charging was first announced. But before then, Apple’s proprietary MagSafe charging had been in vogue. However, during the announcement, we received a promise that something similar to the MagSafe technology used by Apple would soon be seen in Android phones.
Since then many people have been looking forward to seeing Qi2 wireless charging grace the stage. Although the announcement was met with high expectations, Qi2 has failed to roll out as quickly as we expected. However, if rumors were to be believed, then this year 2025 could be the year that we have been waiting for. A year when Qi2 wireless charging would finally become mainstream.
How true can this be? Well, here's the latest update you need to know about Qi2 wireless charging.
How it All Started (Power Consortium’s Stand)
To be sincere, I, personally, have long been a big fan of wireless charging. Not having to fumble with tangled cords, lost charging cables, or damaged ports is truly a relief. Of course, life would get easier and better with wireless charging. This longing for a better life brought about the invention of the Qi standard wireless chargers. However, the Qi would not remain for a long period of time. And the reason is because it wasn’t efficient and had several shortcomings.
It's so sad that the majority of wireless charging devices currently available these days only follow the Qi standard. Because of the inefficiency, the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), which manages the charging protocol, assured us that there would be an improvement—a next-generation version called Qi2. All things being equal, Qi2 wireless charging promises better charging speed and perfect alignment and could potentially bridge the Android and iPhone divide.
Beginning with the iPhone 12 series up till the current iPhone 16 series, all Apple phones support the Qi2 wireless charging. Unfortunately, only one Qi2-certified Android phone (the HMD Skyline) was released in 2024 and even at that, it still did not work well with some older Qi chargers. Against all odds, there seems to be a glimpse of hope! The newly launched Samsung Galaxy S25 is said to be Qi2-ready.
So, what exactly is Qi2 and what's going on?
What Exactly Is Qi2?
Qi2 in simple terms refers to the newest iteration to the Qi open wireless charging standard from the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC). This brings important upgrades over the original Qi standard. In order to successfully improve the Qi, the Magnetic Power Profile was introduced as a new feature in the Qi2 wireless charging standard to enable faster and more efficient charging.
With the introduction of the Magnetic Power Profile (MPP), Apple became involved in developing the Qi2 standard because MPP is based on Apple’s MagSafe technology. As a result, Qi2-branded devices will be able to utilize a ring of magnets (similar to Apple phones) to ensure perfect alignment and allow for faster charging speeds.
Apart from the MPP, there is another standard called the Extended Power Profile (EPP) which uses a non-magnetic wireless charging. In 2017, the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) appointed Paul Golden as Vice President of Market Development and in this role, he would lead the WPC's efforts to accelerate the growth of the global Qi ecosystem amongst others. According to Paul Golden EPP simply refers to a device that is compliant with specifications, but doesn't officially represent the Qi2. As a result of this, EPP cannot use the Qi2 logo or be called a Qi2 device. The major difference between the EPP and MPP is that MPP is Qi2 enabled and must include magnets while EPP does not use magnets.
Is Samsung Galaxy S25 Really Qi2 Ready?
Now, here's the twist! The Samsung Galaxy S25 series was released on February 7, 2025, and has been labeled as Qi2 Ready. However, there's a catch: the Samsung Galaxy S25 series does not come with built-in magnets. So if you want to enjoy Qi2 wireless charging, you can buy specially designed Qi2 cases with necessary magnets either from Samsung or third-party sellers. Here's where things get interesting: pairing a Qi2 ready case with a Qi2 ready phone results in the same fast and efficient charging as though you had a full-fledged Qi2 phone. It will also be compatible with Qi2 power banks and chargers.
I know right now you're probably thinking why the workaround? Well, it's likely because phone development is a process that needs time (no need to rush things). Additionally, designing magnets into phones can be somewhat tricky, you know. Regardless, on the bright side of things, this approach (Qi2-Ready smartphone) is a giant leap that's definitely going to make it easier to introduce Qi2 technology to lesser smartphones in the future.
Benefits of Qi2 Wireless Charging
The human race is naturally configured to evolve and so is technology with it. For Qi2 wireless charging to keep its worth and value, it must have certain upgrades over traditional wired chargers and Qi wireless chargers. Below are some of the improvements that Qi2 has over the initial Qi standard:
1. Faster charging Speed
The charging speed of the Qi standard was originally limited to 5-watt. However, with the introduction of Qi2 wireless charging certified phones can charge at 15 watts similar to MagSafe. Even as the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) works to improve the Qi2 standard, we are sure that the charging speed will increase. But that is not going to happen now, maybe later in the near future.
2. Better Convenience
With Qi2 wireless charging solution, there's no more hassle, charging becomes a breeze. You get to effortlessly charge your device without having to see cables lying around.
3. Improved Efficiency
You know that wireless charging is actually pretty cool, right? I like to think of it as a game of catch where the charging base would release a magnetic field, and your smartphone would catch it using its tiny coil. But here's the thing: if there is a problem with the alignment of the coils, energy gets lost as heat which may not be good for your battery's health. This is common with some Qi wireless charging. But with Qi2 wireless charging, the built-in magnets ensure perfect alignment of the coils so you get the most efficient charge possible.
4. Easy to Use
We all want a stress-free life, isn't it? Sometimes I just wished some things would just fall in place themselves without having me do the hard work. If you love ease then you'd probably have fallen in love with Qi2 wireless charging by now. Qi2 wireless charging brings a very simple solution to charging and that is “place and go”. If you have devices that are Qi2 enabled, you just simply need to place them on a charging pad that is Qi2-compatible and that's all.
5. Broader Compatibility
If you're tired of dealing with a tangled mess of chargers, put on a big smile because with Qi2 wireless charging it is now possible to buy one charger that is compatible with multiple devices, whether you're using an Android phone or an iPhone.
6. Reduced Wear and Tear
Most people (same as me) have found themselves in messy situations where their charging ports would disappoint them. I've faced disappointments from both cables and charging ports and I'm sure you must have had your share of experience. Fortunately for us, Qi2 wireless charging has come to eliminate the need for cables. This is particularly good because it helps to reduce wear and tear on devices and charging ports.
How Soon Should We Expect Qi2 Devices?
The truth is that before any device can proudly wear the Qi2 badge, it must have passed through a rigorous testing process in the Wireless Power Consortium's (WPC) labs. The essence of this test is to ascertain that the device meets the highest standards for magnet strength, charging speed, and compatibility. So when you see a device proudly flaunting the Qi2 logo, it is a sign that it has been thoroughly vetted and meets the strict requirements of the WPC.
Big brands are already on board with Qi2 wireless charging, and all things being equal, we can expect a flood of new Qi2 smartphones to hit the market anywhere from late 2025-early 2026. However, unlike Apple, some Android manufacturers might take a little longer to join the party.
