Introduction

The wireless power market is witnessing significant growth in terms of the level of awareness, interest, development as well as adoption of this emerging technology. Based on recent research by Wired and Wireless Technology (WAWT), a strategic technology analyst and consultancy firm, the wireless power market is expected to witness around 15% growth in the number of wireless power receivers (Rx) and transmitters (Tx) to be globally shipped in 2023. Smartphone plays a crucial role being the leading wireless power-adopting application market.

Smartphone wireless charging solutions

Smartphones were the primary contributor to the growth of wireless power in 2022 with an installed base of wireless-charging-enabled smartphones surpassing the one-billion mark. The market is already rudimentarily cluttered with many different combinations of wireless power solutions available in the market such as. BPP (Basic Power Profile – 5W); EPP (Extended Power Profile – 15W); and a wide range of PPDE (proprietary power delivery extension profile) such as Samsung fast-charger (9W-12W); Apple fast-charger (7.5W); Apple’s latest market disruptive MagSafe charger (15W); then one from each of key Chinese mobile OEMs (30W-100W); and with an upcoming advanced  Qi2 standard solution (advanced version of Qi integrated with magnetic-based solution) which itself will have few topologies i.e. Qi2-EPP; Qi2 MPP (Magnetic Power Profile); and the trailing proprietary-based extension for each of the key players. All these topologies are based on the industry-standard (low-frequency induction-based solution called Qi – pronounced ‘Chee’) developed by WPC (Wireless Power Consortium) and its member companies.

Emerging wireless power technology types

According to WAWT, the other emerging low-frequency resonance-based solution (20kHz-95kHz); high frequency based resonance (6.78Mhz) or NFC Charging-based (13.56Mhz); along with ultra-high frequency-based ‘uncoupled’ long-distance wireless charging (RF, Infrared, Ultrasound, 5G-based) are expected to slowly penetrate into some relevant application markets (considering their use-case and fit), over the course of years. As the wireless power market continues to develop and mature, it would not be illicit to consider the advent of hybrid/multi-frequency-based wireless power solutions to cater to the wider needs of application markets.

Wireless power market research

WAWT’s latest forecast suggests the low-frequency induction-based technology, led by WPC’s existing Qi or upcoming Qi2-standard solution, would continue to dominate the wireless power market through the forecast period. In terms of future developments, it is crucial to keep an eye on the adoption of WPC’s Qi2-based standard, which integrates WPC’s Qi with Apple’s proprietary-based Magsafe solution. This Qi2 standard holds significant importance for not only smartphones (Rx), the automotive ‘in-cabin’ wireless charger (Tx), and the deployment of wireless power transmitters across wider infrastructure (public places) segments but also other appropriate applications across the mobile ecosystem (wireless earphones, smartwatches), medical, e-bikes/e-scooters and few others. As per WAWT’s prediction in 2021, the next phase of this emerging technology market would be magnetic-based wireless power solutions.

Shift towards high-power ‘fast’ wireless power solutions

When it comes to wireless power technology, it is very crucial to understand the implications and shifts towards higher power rating solutions as they determine energy losses. Currently, the mobile ecosystem adopts WPC’s Qi-certified solution, which caters to the 0W-15W power class and holds a significant market share attributed to the widespread adoption of Qi-compatible devices and the cordless convenience feature it offers to consumers. However, the share of the 0W-5W power class across the wider consumer sector applications, primarily smartphones, is expected to decrease in the next five years. This shift is driven by mobile phone original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) increasingly embracing relatively higher power solutions like EPP (5W-15W) or the upcoming Qi2 (15W, which will potentially extend to 20W with some proprietary innovation), or even higher ‘proprietary-based’ (PPDE) power solutions that provide additional benefits and cater to evolving consumer needs in terms of providing faster wireless charging, compatibility with power-hungry devices and the ability to charge multiple devices simultaneously.

Emerging wireless power application markets

The share of smartphones, the key application market influencing the trends of the wireless power market, is expected to decline. This is consequent to the broader adoption of wireless power technology across a wide range of application markets like automotive, computing, wearables, smart home, medical, industrial, IoT, robotics, retail, telecom, infrastructure (public places), defence/space, and others. Hence, there is a projected shift in focus towards smartphones (across mid-priced, Qi2, NFC Charging), wireless earphones, power banks (MagSafe and Qi2 compatible), hearing aids, AGV/AMRs, e-bikes/e-scooters, EVs/AVs, smart glasses, digital stylus pens, industrial IoT sensors and retail applications. The adoption of wireless power across wider applications is set to change the dynamics of this market, including the share of power classes, and the share of wireless power technology type (low, high, ultra-high frequency) as existing technology advances and new technology type and formats emerges.

About WAWT

WAWT’s comprehensive research on the wireless power market titled Wireless Power Intelligence Service, provides market size estimates and forecasts for around 30 key application markets, all various types of wireless power technology types/solutions, different product formats (Rx, Tx), across power classes, along with regular reports, market trends, insights and business intelligence. Feel free to contact us. Feel free to reach out to us at analyst@wawt.tech and follow our LinkedIn page (WAWT) for the latest market trends, market sizing, analysis and insights on the power supplies and the allied markets.