Big names in the mobile phone industry are striding to add wireless charging features to their newest launches. Looking at Apple which will allegedly announce the iPhone 16 series with major wireless charging innovations like 20W MagSafe charging. But it’s not just Apple (and it certainly didn’t even start with them). Samsung, Motorola, Google, and Xiaomi are also racing to include wireless charging in their wider models. This boom in the adoption of wireless charging in mobile phones has implications for the end user and the wireless charging market. But these implications first and foremost depend on the type of technology used to wirelessly charge mobile phones.

The trend is set such that the Wireless Power Consortium’s Qi (pronounced Chee) charging dominates the mobile phone market. This can be attributed to all devices bearing the Qi logo being compatible with all Qi chargers, eliminating the need for separate chargers, cables, or adapters while travelling. This has also opened the gates to realising mobile phone ecosystems for charging.

How Does Qi Wireless Charging Solution Work

Qi wireless charging operates on the principle of electromagnetic induction. A Qi-enabled charging pad contains a coil that generates an alternating electromagnetic field when powered. When a Qi-compatible device, such as a smartphone, is placed on the pad, its internal coil receives this electromagnetic field and converts it back into electrical energy to charge the battery.

This technology allows for a seamless and cable-free charging experience, where users simply place their devices on a charging pad, and the charging process begins automatically.

Benefits for the End User

For the end user, Qi wireless charging offers numerous benefits:

• Convenience: No more fumbling with cables. Users can charge their devices by simply placing them on a charging pad.
• Compatibility (interoperability): One Qi charger can power multiple devices, regardless of brand, as long as they are Qi-enabled.
• Durability: Reduces wear and tear on charging ports and cables, potentially extending the lifespan of devices.
• Safety: Qi charging pads are designed to prevent overcharging and overheating, providing a safer charging experience.
• Clean and Organized: Eliminates the clutter of multiple cables and chargers, creating a tidier space.
• And Other benefits and drivers.

You can learn more in detail about Qi and Qi2 (the advanced form of Qi) wireless charging on the Wireless Power Consortium’s website.

We also have MagSafe

But it’s not just Qi charging when it comes to wireless charging. There is also Apple’s MagSafe wireless charging technology introduced with the iPhone 12 series. The MagSafe technology integrates a ring of magnets around the internal charging coil of the iPhone. This magnetic array perfectly aligns with the MagSafe charger, ensuring optimal charging efficiency and speed. The key components of MagSafe technology include:

• Magnetic Alignment: The ring of magnets around the iPhone’s charging coil ensures the device snaps into the correct position on the MagSafe charger. This alignment maximizes charging efficiency and reduces the chances of misalignment, which can result in slower charging speeds or incomplete charging cycles.

• Qi Wireless Charging Standard: While MagSafe enhances the standard Qi wireless charging, it remains compatible with other Qi-certified chargers. However, using a MagSafe charger ensures faster charging speeds of up to 15W, compared to the 7.5W limit of standard Qi wireless chargers for iPhones.

• Accessory Ecosystem: Beyond charging, MagSafe technology facilitates a range of magnetically attachable accessories, such as wallets, cases, and mounts. These accessories snap securely to the back of the iPhone, providing added functionality and convenience without interfering with the charging process.

What does the Magsafe technology offer to Apple users?

For end users, Apple’s MagSafe technology brings several notable benefits and implications:

• Enhanced Convenience: MagSafe eliminates the guesswork of placing the phone on a charging pad. The magnetic alignment ensures the iPhone is perfectly positioned for optimal charging every time.

• Improved Wireless Charging Efficiency: With precise alignment, MagSafe ensures that users get the maximum possible charging speed, reducing the time it takes to power up their devices. This efficiency is particularly beneficial for users with demanding schedules who need to quickly recharge their phones.

• Versatility and Compatibility: While MagSafe chargers offer the best experience with compatible iPhones, they are also backwards compatible with standard Qi charging. This means you can continue to use your existing Qi chargers for other devices, maintaining flexibility in their charging setups.

• Ecosystem Integration: The range of MagSafe-compatible accessories enhances the overall user experience. From snap-on wallets to stylish cases and car mounts, MagSafe accessories add a layer of functionality and personalization to the iPhone.

• Future-Proofing: As Apple continues to expand its MagSafe ecosystem, users can expect more innovative accessories and enhanced functionality, ensuring that their investment in MagSafe technology remains valuable over time.

• Safety and Durability: MagSafe chargers and accessories are designed to provide safe and reliable power delivery. The secure magnetic connection reduces the wear and tear on charging ports and cables, potentially extending the lifespan of both the charging accessories and the iPhone itself.

You can learn more about MagSafe charging by clicking here.

Qi or MagSafe Wireless Charging: What’s the catch?

While both Qi and MagSafe wireless charging technologies offer significant convenience and innovation, they also come with certain shortcomings. Qi wireless charging can suffer from misalignment issues, resulting in slower charging speeds or incomplete charges, and generally provides lower power output compared to wired charging.

Additionally, the slower charging speed (typically up to 7.5W for iPhones) and the need for precise placement on the charging pad can be inconvenient.

On the other hand, MagSafe, while improving alignment and charging efficiency (up to 15W for iPhones), is primarily optimized for newer Apple devices, limiting its compatibility with non-MagSafe accessories and older iPhone models.

MagSafe accessories and chargers can also be more expensive, and the magnetic attachment, while convenient, may not always align perfectly with third-party cases, potentially causing wear and tear over time.

Both technologies also produce more heat during the charging process compared to traditional wired charging, which can impact battery longevity.

What is the industry trying to do?

The industry is mainly striving to develop faster wireless charging solutions. The goal is to make wireless charging as efficient and fast as traditional wired charging techniques. This involves advancements in power transfer technology, improved efficiency in energy conversion, and better thermal management to prevent overheating.

Companies like Samsung, Apple, Huawei, Oppo, Vivo, and others have been at the forefront, releasing devices that support higher-wattage wireless charging, thus decreasing the time users need to keep their devices on the charging pads. For the market, this inevitably means an increase in demand for high-wattage transmitters and receivers. Qi2 charging technology (the advanced form of Qi released in 2023), a combination of both MagSafe and Qi charging, could become renowned on this front with the wireless charging of mobile phones. WAWT recently published an insight on Qi2 Charging which you can read here.

Building Ecosystems

Creating a cohesive ecosystem means ensuring that all devices within a brand’s lineup, from smartphones and tablets to wearables and accessories, can charge wirelessly using a common standard. This interoperability simplifies the user experience, as they don’t need multiple chargers for different devices. For instance, Apple’s MagSafe technology not only provides efficient wireless charging but also allows for seamless attachment of accessories, thereby enhancing the overall utility of their ecosystem. Similarly, Samsung’s ecosystem integrates smartphones, smartwatches, earbuds, tablets, and recently introduced smart rings into a unified wireless charging experience.

Regulatory Constraints

However, these ambitious advancements face substantial hurdles due to stringent government regulations, particularly in the European Union. The EU has been actively working to standardize ‘wired’ charging technologies to reduce electronic waste and ensure consumer protection. This includes initiatives to enforce the use of common chargers across all devices. While these regulations are beneficial in preventing proprietary lock-in and reducing e-waste, they impose significant compliance burdens on manufacturers.

Impact of Regulations

These regulatory requirements often limit the scope of innovation. For instance, the EU’s push for a universal charging standard means that OEMs must align their proprietary technologies with the mandated specifications, which may not always be compatible with their advanced features. This alignment can delay the introduction of new technologies and force OEMs to invest additional resources in redesigning their products to meet regulatory standards. Moreover, the need for extensive testing and certification processes to ensure compliance can slow down the rollout of new, faster wireless charging solutions.

Summary

While mobile OEMs are making commendable progress in developing fast wireless charging technologies, either industry standard-based or proprietary-based solutions, and creating integrated ecosystems, they are significantly challenged by stringent regulatory frameworks, particularly in regions like the European Union.

The drive towards interoperability and a seamless user experience is tempered by the necessity to comply with standardization efforts aimed at reducing e-waste and protecting consumers. This regulatory landscape often forces manufacturers to recalibrate their advanced proprietary technologies, delaying innovation and increasing development costs.

Striking a balance between fostering technological advancement and adhering to regulatory requirements is essential for OEMs to continue delivering cutting-edge, consumer-friendly wireless charging solutions.

So, WAWT expects further advancement of wireless charging technology, be it in the form of increased power levels, faster charging, increased efficiency, or the introduction of new technology. WAWT feels the smartphone wireless charging technology market is still at its nascent stage , as we should expect more magic going forward.

Feel free to contact our SME @DineshKithany to learn more about the latest trends, insights and size of the market opportunity.

About Wired and Wireless Technologies (WAWT)

Wired and Wireless Technologies (WAWT), is a strategic technology analyst and consulting firm specialising in wireless power and power supply. Its comprehensive research data, insights, and market intelligence on the wireless power market titled ‘Wireless Power Intelligence Service’ covers various types of wireless power technology solutions using different frequency levels – be it inductive, resonance, NFC, RF, or infrared-based. 

WAWT monitors the adoption of such wireless power solutions across 30+ different types of application markets across automotive, consumer, computing, wearables, hearables, medical/healthcare, smart home, industrial, robotics, retail, infrastructure, and other sectors. 

Reach out to our subject matter experts (SMEs) by emailing analyst@wawt.tech and following our LinkedIn page (WAWT) and other social platforms for the latest market estimates and forecasts, trends, insights, and updates on wireless power/charging and allied technologies.