iPhone 16 Embraces Qi2 Charging Technology Before Samsung and Google Follow Suit
In the world of smartphones, the race for faster charging speeds continues unabated. However, as we step into 2023, two major Android manufacturers, Samsung and Google, have yet to fully adopt the Qi2 wireless charging standard.
The Qi2 standard, launched in late 2023, was intended to bring MagSafe-compatible magnetic accessories to Android devices, promising faster wireless charging speeds. However, the original Qi2 rollout was limited, with a maximum charging rate of 15W, which was considered too slow compared to proprietary fast wireless charging solutions from brands like OnePlus and Xiaomi.
The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) partly blamed the lack of Android adoption on this speed limitation and the complexity of truly adopting the magnetic alignment feature. Samsung, Google, and other Android makers initially ignored or postponed implementing the hard work needed to embed magnets directly into phones, which is central to Qi2’s benefits.
By mid-2025, the WPC introduced an upgraded Qi2 25W standard, which aims to significantly improve wireless charging speeds and unify the ecosystem by encouraging “major Android smartphones,” including Google’s upcoming Pixel 10 and potentially Samsung’s Galaxy S24/S25 series, to adopt Qi2 25W. Google is reported to have contributed to optimizing this faster Qi2 version, and rumors suggest Pixel 10 may feature embedded magnets enabling true Qi2 magnetic charging.
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro are currently the only devices known to use the Qi2 charging standard. They offer faster charging over MagSafe at 25W, compared to the standard 15W maximum charging rate for other Qi2-equipped devices.
In the meantime, Android users like the author have been making do with "fake MagSafe" accessories from knock-off cases on Amazon, which have a circular magnet pinned to the back. While these solutions are far from perfect, they offer a glimmer of hope for faster wireless charging speeds on Android devices.
The author is disappointed that Samsung and Google have not yet embraced the Qi2 standard fully. Faster wireless charging speeds are preferred, even from a charging pad on their nightstand, over the current tethered charging speeds. The author believes that the adoption of Qi2 by Android manufacturers would significantly improve wireless charging speeds on Android devices.
References:
[1] The Verge. (2023). Qi2 is the new wireless charging standard for Android. [online] Available at: https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/1/22132811/qi2-wireless-charging-standard-android-ipad-iphone-15w-mpp
[2] Android Authority. (2025). Qi2 25W wireless charging standard announced, could bring faster charging to Android phones. [online] Available at: https://www.androidauthority.com/qi2-25w-wireless-charging-standard-957246/
[3] Phone Arena. (2025). Google Pixel 10 could support Qi2 25W wireless charging, hints leaked renders. [online] Available at: https://www.phonearena.com/news/Google-Pixel-10-could-support-Qi2-25W-wireless-charging-hints-leaked-renders_id142507
[4] WPC. (2023). Qi2 wireless charging standard. [online] Available at: https://www.wirelesspowerconsortium.com/qi/
[5] Android Central. (2023). Qi2 wireless charging: What you need to know. [online] Available at: https://www.androidcentral.com/qi2-wireless-charging-what-you-need-know
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