It’s somewhat amusing, but we at WIRED have always been proponents of wireless charging. Avoiding the hassle of tangled cables is simply delightful! Currently, most wireless charging gadgets adhere to the Qi (pronounced chee) standard, which has gradually achieved widespread acceptance. (The user experience has sometimes left much to be desired.) In early 2023, the Wireless Power Consortium, responsible for the charging protocol, unveiled its next-gen version titled Qi2. This new Qi2 wireless charging technology promises perfect alignment, potentially facilitating a connection between Android and iPhone accessories.
Regrettably, the rollout of Qi2 has not been as swift or extensive as we had anticipated. While every iPhone from the 12 series onward is now Qi2-compatible, there was only one Qi2-certified Android device launched in 2024—the HMD Skyline. We were disappointed to discover that it was incompatible with some older Qi chargers. Expectations that 2025 could present a different scenario have already been dampened by the revelation that Samsung’s Galaxy S25 is only classified as Qi2 Ready. So, what’s the situation with Qi2?
Updated February 2025: We have included additional information regarding Qi2 adoption and clarified the new Qi2 Ready cases and devices such as Samsung’s Galaxy S25.
What Is Qi2?
Photograph: Simon Hill
