The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) plans to introduce a new wireless charging standard to unify the industry under one global standard and provide enhanced convenience and efficiency for various mobile and wearable devices.
The Qi2 standard will be introduced later this year 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.
“Consumers and retailers have been telling us they’re confused concerning what devices are Qi Certified and those that claim to work with Qi but are not Qi Certified. This confusion can lead to a poor user experience and even safety issues,” says Paul Struhsaker, executive director of the Wireless Power Consortium. “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.”
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. 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.
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 the market to new accessories that wouldn’t be chargeable using current flat surface-to-flat surface devices.
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.
“Energy efficiency and sustainability are on everyone’s minds these days,” says Struhsaker. “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.”
Qi2 Certified mobile phones and chargers are expected to be available during the 2023 holiday season.
Meet the WPC Team at CES 2023
Learn more about Qi2 at the Wireless Power Consortium’s CES booth number 53529 on Level 2 of the Venetian Expo Center. Click here to view everything RF's coverage of the CES 2023 event.
Click here to learn more about WPC's wireless charging standards and related products.
Click here to learn more about WPC membership.
