Not having to search out the correct cable or carry one round with you makes wi-fi charging a handy manner of charging your cell units—iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods and lots of third-party devices.
There are a number of wi-fi charging requirements and applied sciences. Right here we are going to clarify the key ones—Qi, MagSafe, Qi2 and the most recent Qi2 25W. Realizing which is which is able to allow 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, hastens wi-fi charging from 7.5W to 15W and makes chargers cheaper in addition to extra environment friendly. It is rather 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 quicker 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 now have examined Qi2 chargers vs chargers licensed as MagSafe by Apple, and might verify that 15W Qi2 expenses supporting units at an equal pace to 15W MagSafe, and far quicker than merely MagSafe-compatible 7.5W chargers. Extra particulars of our wi-fi charging pace assessments beneath.
Belkin
What’s Qi 2 25W?
In Q3 2025 we are going to begin seeing chargers on the brand new Qi2 25W normal (first often called Qi 2.2) that matches this 25W wi-fi charging pace. 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 area. Once you place your cellphone onto the charging pad, the cellphone’s coil converts that magnetic area into an electrical present, thus charging the cellphone.
First, let’s have a look at the unique Qi, which all iPhones publish iPhone 8 assist.
Foundry
What’s Qi wi-fi charging?
Qi is a Chinese language phrase which means “vitality 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 suitable with Qi2, extra on which later.
Which means that iPhones from the iPhone 8 onwards will be positioned on a Qi-compatible charger to begin charging with no cable. (After all, the Qi charging pad or stand itself must be linked through a cable to an influence charger.)
Whereas wi-fi charging means much less put on and tear to your units, it’s not as environment friendly as charging through a cable (wired charging) as among the vitality is misplaced between the charging pad and the machine positioned on it.
Qi customers will know that you need to guarantee your machine is positioned in precisely the correct alignment for quick wi-fi charging to happen.
Place the iPhone on the pad incorrectly and you find yourself both charging rather more slowly or under no circumstances.
Many people have dropped a cellphone on a Qi charger solely to search out out later that it wasn’t in the correct 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 through 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. Consequently, you possibly can magnetically clamp charging equipment onto the iPhone. In truth, you possibly can magnetically connect non-charging equipment, similar to wallets and mounts, too.
MagSafe—from 2020’s iPhone 12 on—makes lacking the charging pad’s coils a lot much less seemingly with its ring of magnets rapidly discovering the charging alignment candy spot—on a suitable charger—so you’ll at all times join and fewer vitality 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 can be both MagSafe licensed by Apple (“made for MagSafe”) or are suitable with MagSafe—plus much less subtle Qi chargers.
Licensed MagSafe chargers can provide as much as 25W to the iPhone, whereas merely MagSafe suitable chargers are restricted to 7.5W, however suitable chargers are often cheaper. That 25W charging pace is at present restricted to the latest iPhone 16 vary and Apple’s personal MagSafe Charger. iPhones 12/13/14/15 max out at 15W utilizing MagSafe.
(Be aware that the iPhone 12 mini solely expenses at 12W with MagSafe.)
We now have examined the greatest MagSafe chargers for iPhones and the most effective MagSafe energy banks for iPhones. This evaluations roundup now additionally consists of Qi2 chargers as they arrive to market.
Some thicker instances get in the best way of MagSafe wi-fi charging so be sure your iPhone’s case is MagSafe suitable—see our roundup of the greatest iPhone 15 Instances and greatest iPhone 16 instances.
Wi-fi charging is nice, nevertheless it’s not as quick as wired charging. For actually quick iPhone charging, use a cable linked to no less than 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 provide iPhone quick charging. Click on right here for extra iPhone fast-charging ideas.
Considerably confusingly, MagSafe can also be the identify for Apple’s wired-charging normal for its MacBooks—connecting the charging cable to the MacBook’s MagSafe port through magnets, that means it’s not solely simple to attach however, if by chance disconnected, it pops out relatively 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 most recent model of the Qi “vitality stream” wi-fi charging normal.
Famed for its “Not Invented Right here” technique, Apple will 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 suitable 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 lead to cheaper chargers that match Apple-certified chargers when it comes to pace. Qi2 might ultimately overtake MagSafe when it comes to charging pace, 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 properly.
Whereas Apple hasn’t acknowledged 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 “vitality 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) offers higher alignment but in addition reduces magnetic area leakage brought on by 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 response to producer Baseus.
Qi2 25W merchandise additionally function next-generation thermal regulation with stricter 40°C floor limits and enhanced coil layouts. This ensures that much less vitality is wasted and offers 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 should 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 should have put in no less than 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 provide quicker wi-fi charging than Qi.
For all extents and functions, Qi2 seems fairly similar to MagSafe so iPhone 13/14/15 customers can select between MagSafe or Qi2 with out concern. iPhone 16 homeowners, 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 most recent vary of iPhones.
The truth that the iPhone 12 isn’t licensed as Qi2 suitable demonstrates that Qi2 and MagSafe usually are not similar.
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 manner and permit for between 15W and 25W wi-fi charging.
Will Qi2 chargers work with MagSafe?
Though technically very related, Apple is more likely 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 manner as MagSafe. Nonetheless, it’s seemingly that future MagSafe-certified merchandise can even be licensed for Qi2, and publish iOS 17.2 all iPhones 13/14/15/16 will work natively with Qi2 chargers.
For customers it’s a win-win as Qi2 and Qi2 25W means quicker wi-fi charging will likely 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 Suitable (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 pace. Each can cost at as much as 15W and use the largely identical magnetic attachment tech. Be aware the 25W charging potential of the Apple MagSafe Charger and iPhone 16, plus the identical charging pace 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 pace by charging an iPhone 15 Professional all the best way 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 through a straight wired USB-C connection.
The quickest solution to cost an iPhone is through 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 common wired-charging time in our assessments was 25 minutes to 50%, 55 minutes to 80% and 70 minutes to 100%.
Our wi-fi charging assessments 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 manner 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 primary 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 will be thought of equal—aside 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 assessments recommend that Qi2 25W will expenses an iPhone 16 from 0–50% in 25 minutes. As compared, a Qi2 15W charger typically takes about 45 minutes to achieve the identical stage—this is able to work out because the 25W possibility being round 45% quicker than the 15W chargers. Wi-fi charging relies on many components, similar to machine settings, utilization throughout charging, and ambient temperature.
Why does cellphone charging pace 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 vitality.
To start out with, a Lithium-Ion battery accepts no matter present it could actually, however because the battery will get nearer to being full it accepts much less present, and so the facility 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 need to 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 very 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.
Profiting from this, if it’s good to cost rapidly, cease at 80%, use the machine for some time after which prime again as much as 80% earlier than the charging pace begins to sluggish.
Ugreen
When will Qi2 25W chargers be launched?
Units supporting Qi2 25W are anticipated a while within the third quarter of 2025, so July to September 2025, though Ugreen acknowledged in mid-July that its first-certified energy financial institution will likely 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 similar to Google, Samsung and OnePlus to announce Qi2 25W assist later this 12 months.
