What is Qi 2.0?

Qi 2.0 (Qi2) is the latest wireless charging standard developed by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC). The group introduced it in January 2023, replacing the existing Qi wireless charging standard. This new wireless charging standard will unify the industry under one global standard and provide enhanced convenience and efficiency for mobile devices and wearables.

The Qi2 standard will be released in the latter part of 2023 by the global consortium and will offer millions of consumers who rely on wireless charging a better user experience. The WPC is a global body dedicated to the creation of standards to ensure safe, efficient, and interoperable wireless charging and wireless power.

One issue with wireless charging is that the transfer of current only works if the two copper wires are very close to each other. The rate of transfer also decreases significantly if they are not appropriately aligned. This means that Qi charging doesn't always work efficiently and that the charging rate can change depending on where you place the phone on the charger. Qi2 aims to fix this problem by using magnets to keep the phone and charger optimally positioned. This will make charging more efficient and increase the potential speed that a phone can charge.

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 and is the single major upgrade over previous Qi versions. Qi2’s Magnetic Power Profile will ensure that phones or other rechargeable battery-powered mobile products are perfectly aligned with charging devices, thus providing improved energy efficiency and faster charging. Qi2 standard will further expand the wireless charging market by opening the market to new accessories that wouldn’t be chargeable using current flat surface-to-flat surface devices.

Qi2’s perfect alignment improves energy efficiency by reducing the energy loss that can happen when the phone or the charger is not aligned. Just as important, Qi2 will greatly reduce the landfill waste associated with wired charger replacement due to plugs breaking and the stress placed on cords from daily connecting and disconnecting. Because of its improved efficiency and interoperability, Qi2 will enable faster charging for some devices, furthermore, it will pave the way for significant future increases in wireless charging speeds that are safe, and energy-efficient and won’t shorten battery life or damage a user’s phone.

Advantages of Qi2

• Enhanced Power and Efficiency: Qi 2.0 will bring a substantial increase in power capabilities, allowing for faster and more efficient charging. This boost in power opens up the possibilities for charging larger devices, such as tablets and laptops, in addition to smartphones and wearables. With higher power levels, devices can charge more rapidly, reducing overall charging times and improving user convenience.

• Backward Compatibility: One of the significant advantages of the Qi standard is its backward compatibility, and this remains true with the Qi 2.0 specification. Devices designed for Qi 2.0 will still be able to charge on older Qi-certified chargers, albeit at lower power levels. This compatibility ensures that users with older wireless charging pads can still take advantage of the advancements brought by Qi 2.0 without needing to replace their existing chargers.

• Foreign Object Detection: To enhance safety and protect against potential hazards, Qi 2.0 incorporates advanced foreign object detection. This feature enables the charger to identify if a foreign object, such as a metal key or coin, is placed on the charging pad. By detecting and alerting users to the presence of such objects, Qi 2.0 ensures a safe charging experience and mitigates the risk of damage to devices or the charger itself.

• Resonant Charging: A notable addition in Qi 2.0 is the introduction of resonant charging. Unlike the previous inductive charging method, resonant charging allows for more flexible device placement on the charging pad. Users no longer need to align their devices precisely with the charging coil. Instead, the resonant technology allows for a larger "sweet spot" on the pad, enabling charging even if the device is slightly misaligned. This improvement in charging positioning offers greater convenience and ease of use.

• Multi-Device Charging: Qi 2.0 brings support for simultaneous charging of multiple devices on a single charging pad. This feature is particularly beneficial for households or workplaces where multiple devices need to be charged simultaneously. It eliminates the need for multiple chargers, reducing clutter and simplifying the charging process. Whether it's charging your smartphone, smartwatch, and wireless earbuds all at once, or sharing the charging pad with a friend or colleague, Qi 2.0 ensures efficient power distribution across multiple devices.

• Less Heat Generation: Some electromagnetic energy is lost when the copper coils aren't aligned properly. This energy is then converted to heat, which harms battery health. But because Qi2 uses magnets to align the coil of the base and the phone, it could prevent this misalignment, leading to less produced heat. This ensures that devices get less strain on their batteries, potentially making them last longer, too.

The Qi 2.0 specification ushers in an exciting era for wireless charging, significantly enhancing power capabilities, safety features, and user convenience. With increased power transfer, backward compatibility, foreign object detection, resonant charging, and support for multi-device charging, Qi 2.0 opens up new possibilities for wireless charging in various domains. As more devices become Qi 2.0 compliant, users can expect faster, more efficient, and hassle-free charging experiences.