The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) has announced a new wireless charging standard that aims to unify the industry and provide enhanced convenience and efficiency for mobile devices and wearables. The new standard, called Qi2, will be introduced later this year and will offer millions of consumers a better user experience.
The WPC is a global body dedicated to the creation of standards that ensure safe, efficient, and interoperable wireless charging and power. One of the major benefits of the Qi2 standard is that it will provide consumers and retailers with the assurance that their devices are safe, efficient, and interoperable with other brands. This is because WPC member, Apple, provided the basis for the new Qi2 standard building on its MagSafe technology.
Apple and other WPC members developed the new Magnetic Power Profile, which is at the core of Qi2. This profile will ensure that phones or other rechargeable battery-powered mobile products are perfectly aligned with charging devices, providing improved energy efficiency and faster charging.
The Qi2 standard will replace its predecessor, Qi, in a rapidly expanding market where about one billion devices – transmitters and receivers – will be sold worldwide in 2023. The launch of the Qi2 standard will further expand the wireless charging market by opening it up to new accessories that wouldn’t be chargeable using current flat surface-to-flat surface devices.
Furthermore, Qi2 will enable faster charging for some devices and pave the way for significant future increases in wireless charging speeds that are safe and energy-efficient. This is because Qi2’s perfect alignment improves energy efficiency by reducing energy loss that can occur when the phone or charger is not aligned. Additionally, Qi2 will greatly reduce landfill waste associated with wired charger replacement due to plugs breaking and the stress placed on cords from daily connecting and disconnecting.
The WPC’s Executive Director, Paul Struhsaker, said, “Our standard assures consumers that their devices are safe, efficient, and interoperable with other brands. Qi2 will be the global standard for wireless charging and provide consumers and retailers with that assurance.”
Qi2 Certified mobile phones and chargers are expected to be available for the 2023 holiday season, providing consumers with a more efficient, safe and convenient wireless charging experience.
