Faster Wireless Charging Likely Coming to iPhone 17

Apple appears set to significantly boost wireless charging speeds with the iPhone 17, promising a noticeable upgrade from current models. This comes after regulatory filings in Taiwan revealed two new MagSafe chargers, A3503 and A3502.

These new MagSafe chargers are rated for up to 45W wireless charging. However, the regulatory documents also indicate they're built to support Qi 2.2, a new standard for speeds up to 50W. This strongly suggests Apple is preparing to deliver some of the quickest wireless charging ever seen on an iPhone.

Older iPhones May Also Get a Boost.

The regulatory filing notes these new MagSafe chargers were tested with both the upcoming iPhone 16 and the older iPhone 11. This suggests Apple might extend Qi 2.2 support to older iPhone models via a future software update. Apple has done this before; for instance, the iOS 17.2 update brought Qi 2 wireless charging to the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14. If a similar approach is taken, you could see improved wireless charging performance without needing to buy a new device.

If these updates roll out as expected, Apple will be among the first major brands to support Qi 2.2, which promises faster and more efficient wireless charging, especially when using official MagSafe accessories.

Apple Still Chasing Android in Charging Speed

While 50W wireless charging marks a big jump for iPhones, Apple would still be behind some Android competitors in overall charging speed. Android phones like the Xiaomi 15 and Oppo Find N5 already support 50W speeds, and some, like the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, even offer up to 80W wireless charging. While these ultra-fast chargers aren't yet common, the technology exists and is already available to Android users. This puts Apple in a position where it's seen as closing a gap rather than setting the pace in charging performance.

However, Apple typically prioritizes safety and stability over raw speed. So, even if the speeds are lower than some Android phones, many users might still prefer Apple’s more controlled and reliable experience.

Android's Slow Adoption of Qi 2

Surprisingly, despite their lead in charging speeds, Android phones have slowly adopted the Qi 2 wireless charging standard. The HMD Skyline is currently the only Android phone with official Qi 2 support. Although Google has stated it sees no actual benefits in adopting Qi 2 for its Pixel phones, the Wireless Power Consortium announced earlier this year that Android phone makers like Google and Samsung are expected to adopt the Qi 2 standard more widely in the coming months.

If Apple releases iPhones with full Qi 2.2 support, it could encourage Android manufacturers to catch up and bring more universal support to the market. That could be good news for everyone, giving you more choices and better performance regardless of your phone.