Not having to seek out the fitting cable or carry one round with you makes wi-fi charging a handy means of charging your cellular units—iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods and plenty of third-party devices.
There are a number of wi-fi charging requirements and applied sciences. Right here we’ll clarify the main ones—Qi, MagSafe, Qi2 and the newest Qi2 25W. Understanding which is which can assist you to to make your charging life extra environment friendly. Right here we have a look at Qi2 vs MagSafe and Qi2 25W vs Qi2 and Apple’s up to date 2024 model of MagSafe.
What’s Qi2?
Qi2, supported by the iPhone 15 and 16 households at launch and the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 as of iOS 17.2, hurries up wi-fi charging from 7.5W to 15W and makes chargers cheaper in addition to extra environment friendly. It is extremely like MagSafe, which is unsurprising as Apple allowed the Wi-fi Energy Consortium (WPC) to make use of MagSafe as the premise of Qi2.
Briefly, Qi2 brings the magnetic advantages of MagSafe, but in addition make third-party iPhone chargers sooner and doubtlessly cheaper. Producers usually tend to create new merchandise when the market is bigger (iPhone and Android) and prices ought to come down, too.
In September 2024, Apple introduced that the brand new model of its iPhone MagSafe Charger can wirelessly cost the iPhone 16 sequence at 25W. Older iPhones can use this charger however at a 15W most as earlier than.
We’ve examined Qi2 chargers vs chargers licensed as MagSafe by Apple, and might verify that 15W Qi2 fees supporting units at an equal velocity to 15W MagSafe, and far sooner than merely MagSafe-compatible 7.5W chargers. Extra particulars of our wi-fi charging velocity checks under.
Belkin
What’s Qi 2 25W?
In Q3 2025 we’ll begin seeing chargers on the brand new Qi2 25W normal (first generally known as Qi 2.2) that matches this 25W wi-fi charging velocity. The primary formally licensed Qi2 25W machine is the Ugreen MagFlow Energy Financial institution, introduced in July 2025. Baseus has additionally introduced a variety of Qi2 25W chargers and energy banks, and Belkin introduced on July 15 that its upcoming wi-fi chargers have formally acquired Qi2 25W certification. Samsung and Google will lastly be leaping on the magnetic wi-fi charging bandwagon with Qi2 25W.
How does wi-fi charging work?
Wi-fi charging makes use of electromagnetic induction to energy your units. The charging pad and your cellphone each embody copper wire coils. Plug the pad into an influence supply and the charger’s coil generates a magnetic discipline. If you place your cellphone onto the charging pad, the cellphone’s coil converts that magnetic discipline into an electrical present, thus charging the cellphone.
First, let’s have a look at the unique Qi, which all iPhones submit iPhone 8 assist.
Foundry
What’s Qi wi-fi charging?
Qi is a Chinese language phrase which means “power stream”. Pronounced “chee”, Qi is the essential and hottest wi-fi charging normal, launched in 2008 however not seen on an iPhone till 2017’s iPhone 8.
Apple continues to assist the Qi wi-fi charging normal with its most up-to-date iPhones—and the iPhone 13 and later fashions are appropriate with Qi2, extra on which later.
Because of this iPhones from the iPhone 8 onwards could be positioned on a Qi-compatible charger to begin charging with no cable. (After all, the Qi charging pad or stand itself must be related by way of a cable to an influence charger.)
Whereas wi-fi charging means much less put on and tear to your units, it isn’t as environment friendly as charging by way of a cable (wired charging) as a few of the power is misplaced between the charging pad and the machine positioned on it.
Qi customers will know that you must guarantee your machine is positioned in precisely the fitting alignment for quick wi-fi charging to happen.
Place the iPhone on the pad incorrectly and you find yourself both charging way more slowly or under no circumstances.
Many people have dropped a cellphone on a Qi charger solely to seek out out later that it wasn’t in the fitting place and so annoyingly by no means began charging—an issue largely solved by Apple’s MagSafe.
Whereas Qi’s most wi-fi cost is 15W, Apple’s iPhone helps solely 7.5W by way of Qi.
Which iPhones use Qi?
Qi charging is constructed into the iPhone 8, X, XR, XS, SE, 11, 12, 13, and 14 households. The iPhone 15 and 16 work with Qi however are rated as Qi2; see later.
Foundry
What’s MagSafe wi-fi charging?
Apple’s magnetic MagSafe iPhones include a hoop of magnets constructed round its Qi charging coil. In consequence, you possibly can magnetically clamp charging equipment onto the iPhone. In actual fact, you possibly can magnetically connect non-charging equipment, comparable to wallets and mounts, too.
MagSafe—from 2020’s iPhone 12 on—makes lacking the charging pad’s coils a lot much less probably with its ring of magnets rapidly discovering the charging alignment candy spot—on a appropriate charger—so you’ll all the time join and fewer power is wasted.
Magnetic Energy Profile (MPP) know-how makes use of magnets to completely align the coils of the wi-fi charging transmitter and receiver earlier than transferring energy.
iPhones can work with wi-fi chargers which might be both MagSafe licensed by Apple (“made for MagSafe”) or are appropriate with MagSafe—plus much less subtle Qi chargers.
Licensed MagSafe chargers can provide as much as 25W to the iPhone, whereas merely MagSafe appropriate chargers are restricted to 7.5W, however appropriate chargers are normally cheaper. That 25W charging velocity is at present restricted to the newest iPhone 16 vary and Apple’s personal MagSafe Charger. iPhones 12/13/14/15 max out at 15W utilizing MagSafe.
(Word that the iPhone 12 mini solely fees at 12W with MagSafe.)
We’ve examined the greatest MagSafe chargers for iPhones and one of the best MagSafe energy banks for iPhones. This critiques roundup now additionally consists of Qi2 chargers as they arrive to market.
Some thicker circumstances get in the way in which of MagSafe wi-fi charging so be certain that your iPhone’s case is MagSafe appropriate—see our roundup of the greatest iPhone 15 Instances and greatest iPhone 16 circumstances.
Wi-fi charging is nice, but it surely’s not as quick as wired charging. For really quick iPhone charging, use a cable related to at the least a 20W USB-C charger. For the iPhone 15 and 16, which means a USB-C to USB-C cable; for older iPhones you’ll want a USB-C to Lightning cable. A USB-A to Lightning cable gained’t supply iPhone quick charging. Click on right here for extra iPhone fast-charging suggestions.
Considerably confusingly, MagSafe can also be the title for Apple’s wired-charging normal for its MacBooks—connecting the charging cable to the MacBook’s MagSafe port by way of magnets, that means it isn’t solely straightforward to attach however, if unintentionally disconnected, it pops out reasonably than dragging your laptop computer to the ground. This model of MagSafe is magnetic and secure and has a charging connection for MacBooks however will not be wi-fi. We clarify the distinction between MagSafe on Mac and MagSafe on iPhones in our Full information to Apple MagSafe: What’s MagSafe?
Which iPhones use MagSafe?
MagSafe wi-fi charging is constructed into the iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 households.
Foundry
What’s Qi2 wi-fi charging?
Qi2 (“chee too”) is the newest model of the Qi “power stream” wi-fi charging normal.
Famed for its “Not Invented Right here” technique, Apple could be fairly treasured about adopting different technical requirements. It has an extended historical past of rejecting any concept that didn’t originate inside Apple itself.
Nonetheless, fortunately Apple has cooperated with the creation of Qi2 to the extent that in impact it gave the Wi-fi Energy Consortium (WPC) MagSafe to make use of as the premise for Qi2’s Magnetic Energy Profile that defines how the brand new technology Qi works. Apple is a WPC “steering member” and chair of the board of administrators.
So what’s Qi2 and why is it so nice?
Consider Qi2 as not simply MagSafe for Android, however MagSafe advantages for all appropriate wi-fi charging merchandise.
Qi2 will imply chargers gained’t need to be licensed by Apple to assist 15W charging. They need to, nonetheless, meet the technical calls for of the WPC. Briefly, a Qi2 charger will ship twice as quick charging as MagSafe-compatible chargers.
As MagSafe certification prices producers a charge to Apple, eradicating this could end in cheaper chargers that match Apple-certified chargers by way of velocity. Qi2 may ultimately overtake MagSafe by way of charging velocity, exceeding its 15W most.
Which iPhones use Qi2?
Qi2 wi-fi charging is constructed into the iPhone 15 and 16 household. As of iOS 17.2, Apple introduced the know-how to all iPhone 13 and 14 fashions as nicely.
Whereas Apple hasn’t said that Qi2 assist will attain the iPhone 12, the primary iPhone to assist MagSafe, Macworld readers have contacted us to say that Qi2 does certainly work with the iPhone 12 following the discharge of iOS 17.4. Examined with the Belkin BoostCharge Professional 2-in-1 Magnetic Wi-fi Charging Pad with Qi2, an iPhone 12 charged as much as 15W with the on-screen animation additionally displayed.
We’ll confirm this improvement and replace as quickly as we now have proved the identical.
Simon Jary / Foundry
What’s Qi2 25W wi-fi charging?
Qi2 25W is the forthcoming model of the Qi “power stream” wi-fi charging normal.
It would begin rolling out in wi-fi charging merchandise from the third quarter of 2025.
So what’s Qi2 25W and why is it so nice?
Qi2 25W will imply chargers can assist as much as 25W wi-fi charging. They’ve to satisfy the technical calls for of the WPC. Briefly, a Qi2 25W charger will ship 10W extra energy than Qi2 and three.3 instances as quick charging as MagSafe-compatible chargers.
The usage of a Magnetic Energy Profile (MPP) gives higher alignment but in addition reduces magnetic discipline leakage attributable to misalignment. This minimizes the build-up of warmth and ensures optimum charging effectivity. A ±0.5mm magnetic alignment precision improves charging effectivity by “as much as 40%”, in accordance with producer Baseus.
Qi2 25W merchandise additionally characteristic next-generation thermal regulation with stricter 40°C floor limits and enhanced coil layouts. This ensures that much less power is wasted and gives 15% higher charging effectivity—even in movement or with slight misalignment.
Which iPhones use Qi2 25W?
Qi2 25W wi-fi charging will work with the iPhone 16 household and later, and will sooner or later work with earlier iPhone fashions. Rumors abound that the iPhone 17 could uitilize a brand new model of MagSafe that may attain speeds of as much as 50W.
For Qi2 25W to work at full 25W supporting iPhones will need to have put in at the least iOS 26 or later.
We’ll maintain this text up to date on this improvement as quickly as we now have affirmation.
Which is greatest MagSafe, Qi2 or Qi2 25W?
First, MagSafe, Qi2 and Qi2 25W are all higher than plain Qi. Owing largely to their magnetic connection, they’re extra environment friendly and undoubtedly supply sooner wi-fi charging than Qi.
For all extents and functions, Qi2 seems fairly equivalent to MagSafe so iPhone 13/14/15 customers can select between MagSafe or Qi2 with out concern. iPhone 16 house owners, nonetheless, ought to look to MagSafe or Qi2 25W, as Apple’s personal MagSafe Charger and shortly Qi2 25W chargers can attain charging speeds of 25W when paired with the newest vary of iPhones.
The truth that the iPhone 12 isn’t licensed as Qi2 appropriate demonstrates that Qi2 and MagSafe are usually not equivalent.
Accent maker Ugreen has introduced that its MagFlow Energy Financial institution is the world’s first Qi2 25W machine to be formally licensed.
All ought to clamp chargers magnetically to the iPhone in the identical means and permit for between 15W and 25W wi-fi charging.
Will Qi2 chargers work with MagSafe?
Though technically very related, Apple is prone to nonetheless require MagSafe certification for non-Qi2 merchandise to achieve 15W wi-fi charging. Each the charger and the machine should be licensed for Qi2 for it to work at 15W, in the identical means as MagSafe. Nonetheless, it’s probably that future MagSafe-certified merchandise can even be licensed for Qi2, and submit iOS 17.2 all iPhones 13/14/15/16 will work natively with Qi2 chargers.
For shoppers it’s a win-win as Qi2 and Qi2 25W means sooner wi-fi charging will probably be delivered to extra units and other people. For product entrepreneurs it could be a little bit of a labelling nightmare till all of the chargeable units meet up with the know-how: count on MagSafe Appropriate (7.5W), MagSafe (15W or 25W), Qi2 15W (15W) and Qi2 25W (25W).
Is Qi2 as quick at wi-fi charging as MagSafe?
Because the Wi-fi Energy Consortium used Apple know-how to construct the Qi2 specification, it’s true that Qi2 matches MagSafe for velocity. Each can cost at as much as 15W and use the largely identical magnetic attachment tech. Word the 25W charging potential of the Apple MagSafe Charger and iPhone 16, plus the identical charging velocity coming from Qi2 25W.
The primary Qi2 charger we examined and reviewed at Macworld was the Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Wi-fi Charging Station. We examined its Qi2 wi-fi charging velocity by charging an iPhone 15 Professional all the way in which to a 100% full cost, and taking timings at 30%, 50% and 80%. We did the identical utilizing a Apple’s personal MagSafe Charger and in addition by way of a straight wired USB-C connection.
The quickest method to cost an iPhone is by way of a wired connection: USB-C to Lightning for iPhones older than the iPhone 15, and USB-C to USB-C for the iPhone 15 and 16 household. The typical wired-charging time in our checks was 25 minutes to 50%, 55 minutes to 80% and 70 minutes to 100%.
Our wi-fi charging checks for formally Apple-certified MagSafe chargers (utilizing Apple’s personal Wi-fi Charger) and for Qi2 magnetic wi-fi charging (utilizing the Anker MagGo) had remarkably related timings. There was some variance both means but in addition small variations utilizing the identical charger so we’re assured that utilizing these two magentic wi-fi charging applied sciences got here up with the identical fundamental outcomes on common: 45 minutes to 50%, 90 minutes to 80% and 115 minutes to 100%.
In abstract, then, MagSafe and Qi2 charging at 15W leads to the identical instances and so could be thought of equal—apart from the 25W MagSafe potential of the iPhone 16 – and the identical from Qi2 25W when it’s launched. And, once more as anticipated, MagSafe-compatible chargers took twice so long as the 15W chargers: 45 minutes to 30%, and 90 minutes to 50%.
Early checks recommend that Qi2 25W will fees an iPhone 16 from 0–50% in 25 minutes. As compared, a Qi2 15W charger typically takes about 45 minutes to achieve the identical degree—this could work out because the 25W choice being round 45% sooner than the 15W chargers. Wi-fi charging is dependent upon many elements, comparable to machine settings, utilization throughout charging, and ambient temperature.
Why does cellphone charging velocity decelerate because the battery will get fuller?
Batteries cost slower the fuller they get, particularly within the final 10–20% of charging. The fuller the battery is, the slower it absorbs power.
To start out with, a Lithium-Ion battery accepts no matter present it may, however because the battery will get nearer to being full it accepts much less present, and so the ability being transferred tapers off.
Think about you had been filling up a glass with water. You can begin with the tap or faucet at full blast, however because the glass will get fuller, you must sluggish the stream all the way down to keep away from the water spilling over, till ultimately only a trickle of water goes in as you attempt to get it proper as much as the brim.
If the battery didn’t cost this manner and as a substitute crammed up at full blast until reaching 100%, it could get extremely popular and also you’d danger damaging it to the purpose it would explode!
Slowing down the cost when the battery is getting nearer to full additionally will increase the variety of cost cycles a battery can undergo earlier than it completely loses capability.
Benefiting from this, if you should cost rapidly, cease at 80%, use the machine for some time after which prime again as much as 80% earlier than the charging velocity begins to sluggish.
Ugreen
When will Qi2 25W chargers be launched?
Gadgets supporting Qi2 25W are anticipated a while within the third quarter of 2025, so July to September 2025, though Ugreen said in mid-July that its first-certified energy financial institution will probably be launched inside “three months”.
Baseus
Baseus is promising two Qi2 25W energy banks and a foldable 3-in-1 wi-fi charger in its PicoGo vary by this August.
Belkin, which introduced on July 15 that its upcoming wi-fi chargers have formally acquired Qi2 25W certification, expects Android manufacturers comparable to Google, Samsung and OnePlus to announce Qi2 25W assist later this yr.
