Hi, iPhone user here. For years, I’ve been basking in magnetic wireless charging thanks to MagSafe. In 2023, the Qi2 charging standard was released, making it possible for Android phones to have the same functionality. That seems to finally be happening.
What is Qi2 Wireless Charging?
Hannah Stryker / How-To Geek
If you currently own an Android phone with wireless charging (and that’s not a guarantee), you know that it can be a pain to find the right coil alignment with wireless charging pads. And you need specific chargers to get the maximum charging speed. These are all traits of Qi(1) charging that will soon be a thing of the past.
Qi2 is the one-stop solution to all of these problems. It charges 3x faster at 15W, magnetically aligns the coils in the wireless charger to your phone, and has pass-through charging with compatible cases. Plus, devices that support the standard have an installed magnetic ring that can be used to snap on other peripherals like wallets and stands. This is what Samsung and Google just announced will finally be coming to Android devices in 2025.
A World of Chargers Just Opened up to Android Users
Now, you might be thinking, “My Google Pixel Pro XL 9 already has superior 23W wireless charging.” This is true, and the point here isn’t that 15W charging is cutting-edge. Rather, having a universal standard means you can throw your phone on any wireless charger and get a consistent experience. Think of it like the USB-C standard, except instead of borrowing a cord from an iPhone-using friend in a pinch, you can borrow their Qi2 charger. Though maybe you already have a MagSafe Android case for that.
Qi2 wireless chargers make up the bulk of the market at the moment, so there’s already an endless supply of options, from power banks to desk stands to travel-friendly foldables. Many of these are 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 chargers with bespoke charging pads for the Apple Watch and AirPods, but it’s likely manufacturers will make variants that fit the Pixel Watch and Pixel Buds. In fact, your Pixel Buds will already work with any 5W pad made for AirPods!
Faster Qi2 Wireless Charging Is Also Coming
Google is currently at work developing what it calls Qi 2.2, which will incorporate the Pixel’s current fast-charging technology into the Qi2 standard. This means that by the time Qi2-enabled Android devices hit the market, 15W wireless charging may be a thing of the past.
I’m also pretty thrilled about this as an iPhone 16 Pro Max user, as, at present, the only way to make use of its 25W wireless charging capabilities is Apple’s 2024 refresh of its proprietary MagSafe Charger. So, everyone benefits from Google entering the Qi2 arena. This is what makes universal standards so great.
