Qi2 turned available for Android telephones final 12 months, however smartphones are sometimes designed greater than a 12 months prematurely of their launch — that is partly why we have solely seen just a few Qi2-equipped telephones debut, just like the HMD Skyline. 2025 was alleged to be the 12 months the place Qi2 took off, and will probably be. However it’s solely as a result of the Wi-fi Energy Consortium bent the principles.
Qi is a ubiquitous wi-fi charging customary maintained by the Wi-fi Energy Consortium (WPC), however it’s growing old. The usual solely requires a minimal 5W charging velocity, and would not make the most of magnets or different fancy options. That is why the WPC designed Qi2 in coordination with large tech firms, like Apple, which successfully gave MagSafe to the usual.
Qi2 has the Magnetic Energy Profile, a magnetic connection methodology designed for exact alignment with chargers and common compatibility with MagSafe/Qi2 equipment — or not less than, it did.
We first noticed references to a model of Qi2 that didn’t require magnets again in August 2024. After reporting on it, a spokesperson for the WPC swiftly corrected us, explaining that whereas the Qi v2.0 specification does enable for Prolonged Energy Profile (EPP) gadgets with out magnets to conform, these gadgets and equipment “can’t name itself Qi2 or use the Qi2 emblem.”
“Any packaging or advertising and marketing supplies for such a tool would have required language informing the buyer that this machine doesn’t embrace magnets,” the WPC continued.
The WPC made related statements in a more moderen spherical of reporting round Qi2’s magnet scenario in December 2024, when the official X (previously Twitter) account confirmed that every one Qi2 gadgets will need to have magnets.
Hello Chris! A telephone carrying the Qi2 emblem is utilizing the Qi v2.0 specification and Magnetic Energy Profile or MPP. So, sure, if it says Qi2 it will need to have magnets.
Nevertheless, are two totally different energy profiles that carry a Qi emblem. (1) Primary Energy Profile (BPP) gadgets that cost at 5W,…December 20, 2024
This is the place issues get complicated: the WPC has now fully tossed apart this premise. In January 2025, the WPC introduced a brand new branding, known as “Qi2 Prepared.” Primarily, it permits telephones to make use of Qi2 tech with out including magnets — which renders each assertion the WPC has made previous to this announcement irrelevant.
Telephones branded as Qi2 Prepared assist Qi2 tech on the within, reminiscent of 15W wi-fi charging, and leverage equipment so as to add magnetic connection. The WPC says these Qi2 Prepared gadgets and equipment will ship the total Qi2 consumer expertise “in authorized combos.”
The Samsung Galaxy S25 sequence seems to be the primary smartphones to make the most of this Qi2 Prepared customary, as a result of it would not have magnets. However that is not truly clear. I’ve but to see a single spec sheet, product web page, or WPC itemizing for the Galaxy S25 that references Qi2 Prepared. Actually, the official Galaxy S25 Extremely entry within the WPC database lists the machine as Qi2.1 licensed — it would not point out Qi2 Prepared or the shortage of magnets in any respect.
Android Central reached out to Samsung concerning the uncertainty surrounding the Galaxy S25’s Qi2 assist, and the corporate returned the next assertion by way of electronic mail: “The Galaxy S25 does assist Qi2 wi-fi charging as much as 15W — a case may be leveraged to reap the benefits of this functionality.”
Once more, primarily based on the WPC’s authentic definition of Qi2, that should not be attainable. The newer “Qi2 Prepared” workaround is not talked about in any respect, additional complicating issues. If that wasn’t complicated sufficient, the WPC listed a Qi2.1 certification for a Samsung magnetic case that may spherical out Qi2 assist on the Galaxy S25 — presumably one of many “authorized combos” it described — earlier than subsequently eradicating it.
Android Central additionally reached out to the WPC for clarification on the Qi2 specification, and requested concerning the confusion that the brand new requirements might trigger for shoppers. We did not hear again in time for publication, however will replace this text once we do.
The saga surrounding Qi2 on Android is hard to comply with, and that is the issue. Apple giving MagSafe to the Qi2 customary was alleged to create a unified ecosystem of chargers and equipment between iOS and Android telephones. It was a uncommon reward from an organization that likes to create so-called “walled gardens” and unique options for its customers. Android OEMs and the WPC have squandered it.
We’re now able the place all iPhones are Qi2 licensed with magnets, some Android telephones are Qi2 licensed with magnets, some Android telephones are Qi2 licensed with out magnets, and most Android telephones aren’t Qi2 licensed in any respect. With out sounding too dramatic, it is a borderline catastrophe.
Qi2 and the WPC are following the unhealthy precedent set by USB and the USB Implementers Discussion board — there have been sufficient renamings and discrepancies that there are a number of Qi2 variations, and nobody is aware of what any of them actually imply.
Contemplating the lofty targets of the WPC, this consequence is extraordinarily disappointing to see. “The Qi v2.0 customary will unify the wi-fi charging business below one international customary, eliminating shopper confusion and enabling better machine interoperability,” the WPC’s web site nonetheless states.
Over a 12 months after Qi2 was made out there, wi-fi charging is extra disjointed than ever.
