Even Samsung and Apple are unable to resolve the issues surrounding Qi2 charging.

      Samsung was not the pioneer in wireless charging technology, but it was the first smartphone manufacturer to make it broadly accessible in its flagship devices. Beginning with the Galaxy S5, every Samsung flagship model integrated wireless charging into the phone itself, a trend that Apple followed when it launched the iPhone two years later.

      Nonetheless, wireless charging has seen little advancement since then, prompting companies to explore their own solutions. Apple introduced the MagSafe standard five years ago, and a new generation of wireless charging standards was revealed three years later, aiming to bring the best aspects of MagSafe to all devices. However, similar to the initial expectations surrounding wireless charging, these advancements have not materialized as anticipated. Despite over 300 companies endorsing the Qi2 standards, two years later, no phone has adequately adopted it.

      Similar to USB-C, there are competing speeds, specifications, and methods that adhere to Qi charging standards but fail to ensure uniformity. This inconsistency persists even with major players like Samsung and Apple involved in resolving the issues surrounding Qi charging.

      What is Qi and who governs the standard?

      Tushar Mehta / Digital Trends

      Qi is the global standard for wireless charging that has garnered support from over 300 companies. Although some companies pursue unique strategies, nearly all phones equipped with wireless charging capabilities will likely adhere to the Qi standard.

      Analogous to the USB-C standard for wired charging, Qi aims to guarantee wide compatibility among various devices and the vast array of wireless charging accessories available. While it fundamentally achieves this, the approach has encountered challenges.

      The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) has been working to evolve the standard with its members, but one can only imagine the complexities of those discussions involving 300 different companies, each with its own priorities and inputs on the wireless charging standard.

      Consequently, we have not witnessed harmony beyond the basic standard, even with influential companies like Apple, Samsung, and Google involved in its development. There was hope that Qi2 would address this issue, but two years later, its rollout has not been as rapid or widespread as anticipated.

      What do Qi2 and 2.1 standards entail?

      The magnet on the Galaxy S25 Ultra magnetic wireless charging cover Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends

      The primary advantage of Qi2 in its current iteration is the inclusion of magnets for charging alignment. This is facilitated through the Magnetic Power Profile (MPP), which draws on Apple’s MagSafe charging standard. Essentially, Qi2-compatible devices can integrate a ring of magnets to ensure perfect alignment with the charger. It's fundamentally akin to MagSafe, and there is expected to be compatibility between MagSafe and the best Qi2 chargers.

      Additionally, there exist chargers that comply with the Extended Power Profile, which meets the specifications for Qi2 but lacks magnets at the manufacturer's discretion. This should allow for some faster charging speeds, although such devices will not be identified with the Qi2 logo, representing the entry-level of Qi2 charging.

      While this concept is relatively straightforward, the current implementation of Qi2 by smartphone manufacturers has resulted in a third category, which may prove to be the most favored. Similar to the three frequency bands used in 5G—low-band, mid-band, and high-band (mmWave)—the three tiers of Qi2 will likely see many companies promoting "Qi2-Ready" devices in the near future.

      Which smartphone manufacturers support magnetic charging?

      Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends

      Qi2-Ready devices signify that while the device itself lacks magnets, they can be added via a third-party case. The Galaxy S25 series is classified as Qi2-Ready, meaning they are marketed as Qi devices, but to gain the full advantages of Qi2, users need to utilize a certified Qi2 Ready case along with a Qi2 Ready charger.

      I reviewed the Galaxy S25 Ultra Magnetic Charging Cover, which enhances wireless charging capabilities if paired with a compatible charger, but it does not provide the anticipated benefit of Qi2 charging: faster speeds. This shortcoming could be attributed to the lengthy phone development cycle, yet OnePlus has demonstrated that integrating such features is possible.

      The OnePlus 13, paired with Oppo’s 50W AirVOOC wireless charging, offers all the benefits of Qi2 without the formal certification. Magnets in the case maintain alignment with the phone, and the rapid charger even includes a fan for optimal efficiency and device cooling. As a result, it fully charges the phone in 70 minutes—nearly three times faster than the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s wireless charging capabilities.

      Qi2 was eventually intended to provide enhanced charging speeds, but to date, all devices charge at the maximum 15W except for the iPhone 16 series. Thanks to Apple's tight integration of its ecosystem and accessories, the iPhone 16 series supports MagSafe charging, enabling 25W wireless charging speeds.

      Tushar Mehta / Digital Trends

      The latest MagSafe features and faster charging rates are confined to Apple's newest i