“Macotakara is the latest publication to report on the inclusion of wireless charging in the iPhone 8, set to be announced next month,” Benjamin Mayo reports for 9to5Mac. “The Japanese site notes that Apple has opted to use the slower standard charging profile, which means the inductive charging will run at 7.5W, about half the speed of the latest Qi 1.2 standards.”
“The unnamed sources also note that Apple may require MFI licenses for third-party charging pads, which would mean existing Qi charging accessories would be unsupported,” Mayo reports. “Previous reports have suggested that the wireless charging functionality may not be enabled at a software level when the new phones ship. The inductive charging feature would instead be enabled in a future software update.”
“Wireless charging will be a flagship feature on all of the new 2017 iPhones; the ‘7s’ models and the radically-redesigned OLED iPhone,” Mayo reports.
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: As we wrote back in July, “It sounds like we’ll be waiting at least another year for true wireless charging at a distance (à la Energous).”
Right now, the Apple Watch’s charging system is nice because it’s less fiddly, and especially useful in the dark, but it’s still essentially a wired charging system in practice. If Apple offers Qi-type charging, it’ll be fine, but will not be a big selling point – unless it offers considerably faster charging than today. – MacDailyNews, April 27, 2017
SEE ALSO:
Leak appears to confirm widely anticipated new feature for Apple’s iPhone 8 – July 27, 2017
John Gruber: Apple’s wireless charging accessory won’t be ready at iPhone launch this year – July 8, 2017
Apple supplier confirms new iPhone models will be ‘waterproof’ with wireless charging – June 14, 2017
iPhone 8 renders from highly detailed CAD file point to glass back, embedded Home button, wireless charging – May 16, 2017
Apple’s next-gen iPhone to pack revolutionary wireless over-the-air charging at a distance? – May 11, 2017
Apple patent application focuses on truly wireless charging via Wi-Fi – April 27, 2017
Apple has at least five different groups working on wireless charging technology – February 23, 2017
Apple joins Wireless Power Consortium – February 13, 2017
Apple’s ‘iPhone X’ to feature wireless charging and iris scanning technology, sources say – February 10, 2017
KGI’s Ming Chi Kuo predicts wireless charging for all three new iPhones – February 9, 2017
More evidence suggests Apple tie-up with true wireless charging firm Energous – December 21, 2016
Apple supplier Dialog partners with wireless charging company Energous – December 15, 2016
Ming-Chi Kuo: Apple’s next-gen iPhone to feature all-glass case for wireless charging – November 23, 2016
I’m happy with the slower charging standard since it is less destructive to the battery.
Gotta have something to upgrade to for the S.
Seeing as the lightning port in my 6+ is failing, and I have to use a rubber band to hold the cable in to charge, a secondary charging option, even if slower, will be welcome. I usually charge overnight so speed is not a problem.
Sounds gimmicky. I travel constantly and having another type of charging cable sucks. The Apple watch charging cable sucks for mobile users. Its long, heavy, and takes up too much space. I love lightening or USB-C and would prefer Apple find ways to use these. I’d rather be able to just plug in for 15 min and get all day usage from a USB C or Lightening cable than deal with some big, slow charging, “wireless” (but not really) charging system.
Yeah everyone will be waiting for this