It’s been some time since wireless phone charging was little more than novelty. Now, with the latest Qi charging, modern wireless phone charging is bridging the gap between wired and wireless to inches.
Even back when wirelessly charging your phone was as inviting as fridge-thawing a frozen turkey, you could revive a dead phone battery to positively virile realms – eventually. Like many halcyon days, however, good riddance to those.
Today’s wireless phone chargers are emerging as formidable alternatives to wired. Indeed, this July, the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) announced its new Qi version, Qi v2.2.1 (Qi2 25W), which (as the name clues) gateways the arrival of a new generation of wireless charging equipment that will hit up to 25W charging speeds.
If you’re wondering if Qi2 25W wireless charging is the justification you need to switch from wall chargers to wireless chargers, here are some key considerations.
Is Qi2 25W wireless charging a genuine alternative to wired charging?
According to WPC market research, faster wireless charging is the top consumer-requested feature to improve wireless charging satisfaction.
After the WPC published its initial Qi2 version (2.0) in 2023, it stated Qi would deliver new heights of speed, energy efficiency, and manual convenience. This July, it added that Qi2 25W outperforms the original Qi2 by around 70% in charging speed, and delivers on a range of other capabilities.
Although Qi2 25W significantly narrows the gap between wireless and wired charging, however, it doesn’t eliminate it.
Phones in the iPhone 17 series, for example, can theoretically accept up to 40W charging — which will charge an iPhone 17 from 0%-50% in as little as 20 minutes — but iPhone 17 users will need a wall charger to unlock these speeds (for now at least).
At the same time, the scenarios that necessitate wired charging over wireless are quickly diminishing. If a wireless charger was once only really good for the fringe use cases, it’s good for the main today. It’s also helpful, of course, to remember that wireless charging supports cleaner setups, less charger cable inventory, and manually simpler experiences.
Charging your phone with a Qi2 25W phone charger
If, on the strength of Qi2 25W, you feel like you want to embrace a wireless charging routine, keep in mind that you’ll need a Qi2 25W-certified phone to get optimal results from a Qi2 25W-certified charger.
Currently, phones that are Qi2 25W-certified include iPhone 16 and 17 series models, and Google’s Pixel 10 Pro XL.
Major Android smartphones are earmarked to debut in the “Qi2 ecosystem” – in line with the Qi2 25W wireless charging announcement – WPC has announced.
At the time of writing this article, 290 products – including power banks, charging stations, car charger mounts, phones, cases, and docking stations – are entered on WPC’s website as Qi2.2.1 certified.
How do I know if my phone works optimally with Qi2 25W charging?
Your phone will work optimally with Qi2 25W charging if it is Qi2 25W-certified. If you’re wondering if your phone is Qi2 25W-certified (odds will increase in future) you can confirm in a few ways:
- Visit the Product Database on WPC.
- Visit your phone manufacturer’s official product page – complete a page search, using search terms like “Qi wireless charging” or “Qi2 25W wireless charging” or “Qi”.
- If you still have your product box and user manual, check in there.
If you have an earlier phone — such as an Android certified for earlier Qi and Qi2 versions — your phone will “work” with a Qi2 25W wireless charger, but it won’t work optimally.
If your phone is certified for original Qi2 charging, for example, it will only take that standard’s top charging speed (15W) when you charge it with a Qi2 25W charger.
The only way to unlock the full benefits of a Qi2 25W-certified charger for your phone is to have a Qi2 25W-certified phone.
What are the other main benefits of Qi2 25W?
Although Qi2 25W is very much about the headline 25W charging speed, it has plenty more going for it.
When you charge your Qi2 25W-certified phone with a Qi2 25W charger, you unlock the Magnetic Power Profile’s precision magnetic alignment (for user-friendly magnetic phone attachment, charging efficiency and safety), Apple and Android device compatibility, and alignment with a growing range of certified third-party accessories that can deliver the optimal fast wireless charge.
Rethinking the Merits of Wireless Charging
Different charging speeds suit different lifestyles. Here is a breakdown of how Qi2 25W fits into your day:
| Scenario | Timeframe | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|
| Quick Burst | 15-30 mins | 20W+ wireless chargers |
| Daily Top Ups | 30-60 mins | 15W+ wireless charging |
| Road Trips | 2+ hours | 7.5W+ chargers |
| Overnight | 6+ hours | 5W chargers |
A 5W or 7.5W wireless charger is generally fine for charging when you’re stationary for extended periods, but 25W wireless chargers deliver valuable recharge time when you need an urgent sprint.
Does Qi2 wireless charging replace cables?
If you are trying to decide if you should switch to Qi2 25W wireless charging, keep in mind that there are wide varieties of charging solutions available.
The Qi2 25W wireless charging option makes most sense if you use (or intend to use) a phone that is certified for Qi2 25W wireless charging, and you find yourself emergency charging your way out of low battery levels frequently.
Wireless charging, in broader terms, is also an attractive alternative if you want less charger cables on your desk, reduced charger cable-related strain on the ports of your phone and other devices, and one-handed manual charging experiences.
Also keep in mind that the Qi2 vs wired charging choice needn’t be binary. You have the option to use a wireless charger as your predominant stationary charger, while keeping a walled charger as a Plan B – standing by for quick battery level replenishment before a commute that requires a critical work call, for example. Just don’t bank on an original Qi version charger to get you out of a jam when time is tight.
Check out JOURNEY’s wireless charging range here.
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