Qi2 wireless charging spec is here, offering speed boosts and magnets
arstechnica.com
Many devices will get their first taste of MagSafe-like sticky alignment soon.
  • Legal-Cry1270@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Big deal. My first smartphone had a wireless charging dock with magnets. It was a Palm Pre Plus

  • drmirage809@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    While I almost never use wireless charging (I keep hearing that it degrades the battery faster, not sure if there’s any truth to that), I do love the magnets of Apple’s MagSafe idea. It’s really nice to just be able to stick my phone to the fridge or easily click it to my car’s dashboard.

    Good to see it coming it Android devices too.

    • extrobe@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      For what it’s worth, I have an iPhone 13 Pro Max, which I bought on release day. Apart from occasionally plugging it in (eg for car trips using Apple car play) I exclusively use wireless charging. Battery health is currently sat at 88%

    • Durahl@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      Pretty much any rechargeable device I buy nowadays must have USB-C ( Electric Screwdriver, Torches, Soldering Irons, Mouse / Keyboard, Electric Bicycle Pump, etc… ) with daily use devices also requiring Wireless Charging ( iPhone, AirPods PRO 2, etc… ) as I cannot be bothered scrounging around for the proper Cable.

    • suicidaleggroll@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      The problem with wireless charging is the gross inefficiencies caused by coil misalignment. The magnets in MagSafe and Qi2 solve that problem. It’s still a little less efficient than a cable and therefore will cause the phone to run a little warmer, but its not significant.

    • xarumitzu@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      It can get kinda warm, but I think Apples charging logic is pretty good. I wireless charge everywhere except work and my car (my car has a wireless charger, but it does not like my 13 Pro), and my battery health is still at 87%. I bought the phone on Black Friday the year it released.

  • AnimalNo5205@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    “MagSafe like” put some respect on the Nexus 5, which came with a wireless charging pad and auto-aligning magnets in 2014

    • ChristopherLXD@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      From what I remember, Qi2 is literally built off Apple’s design for MagSafe — as in Apple contributed to Qi2 directly. So makes sense to link the two.

    • extrobe@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      Did even the Palm Pre back in 2009 have magnetic, wireless charging? (Think it was provided via an extra case you had to add to your palm pre)

  • Say10sadvocate@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I exclusively use wireless charging for my phone and headphones, but I don’t need faster. I use adaptive charging anyway so it slowly charges from when I get into bed, to be full ready for my alarm.

    Faster does nothing for me, magnet seems a smart upgrade though.

  • Curse3242@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I don’t care unless it’s way more expensive & slightly more inconvenient in the excuse of being more accessible.

    Same happened with Headphone Jacks. Bluetooth pods are fun but I still miss the simplicity of wired earphones for my phone. You could get decent wired earphones for cheap.

    Good chargers are important & are already expensive. Not sure what happens when you’re forced to get expensive ones.

  • quintonforrest@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I was never into wireless charging until I went from the iPhone 11 Pro to iPhone 15 Pro with MagSafe. Now, MagSafe accessories are essential for me. Working at my desk, popping onto my MagSafe stand and watching videos is so satisfying.

    • Enderkr@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      I’ve seen several comments like yours and I just don’t get it. Like…wireless charging has been around for years, and its literally only the addition of magnets that somehow got you doing it? What’s the difference between a stand with magnets, and just a regular, slightly tilted phone stand?

      When I’m done reading in bed at night it takes zero effort to set my phone on its stand and charge it, and its upright so I can easily turn off alarms and see the time in the morning.

      • IdiocracyToday@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        10 months ago

        I used wireless charging on my Samsung s9 and let me tell you getting that shit to line up properly is the reason I switched back to just plugging it in. So yes magnets do make the difference between the tech being convenient or not.

  • Sanders0492@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    MagSafe-like

    Isn’t it literally MagSafe? IIRC Apple pushed Qi2 to adopt their exact specs from MagSafe. I may be wrong though.

      • Jjex22@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        10 months ago

        Significantly different or patent-avoidingly different?

        Tbh the article reads like it’s just so they’re not compatible with Apple, which sounds like avoiding the cost of Apple licensing