Despite the excitement surrounding the announcement of Qi2 wireless charging a year ago, Android users are still largely waiting for widespread adoption. While Apple has been touting the benefits of MagSafe’s integrated magnets and 15W wireless charging for years, the Android market has remained stagnant with the basic Qi standard.

The recent release of the HMD Skyline marks a turning point, though. As the first Qi2-capable Android device, it signals a potential shift towards faster, more efficient wireless charging for Android users. But with availability limited to certain regions and the majority of Android phones still lacking Qi2 support, the question remains: why the slow adoption?

Advantages of Qi2 over Qi

Qi2 promises a number of significant improvements over its predecessor. The most obvious is a boost from 5W to 15W charging speeds. While some Android manufacturers have implemented faster wireless charging, it hasn’t been standardized until now. Qi2 brings consistent 15W charging to compatible devices and chargers.

Perhaps even more importantly, the integration of magnets, similar to Apple’s MagSafe, opens up a world of possibilities for magnetic accessories like advanced chargers and car mounts. These magnets also allow for precise alignment between the phone and charger, improving efficiency and reducing heat buildup, which can extend battery life.

Future potential of Qi2

Qi2 advancements, such as magnetic alignment, improved power profiles, and enhanced communication between devices and chargers, lay the foundation for even faster wireless charging in the future. Qi2 is expected to support 20W and 30W charging speeds in upcoming upgrades, further cementing its position as the next generation of wireless charging technology.

The slow adoption on Android

Despite these compelling benefits, Qi2 adoption in the Android ecosystem has been slow. This can be attributed to several factors, including:

• Manufacturer’s Doubt: Implementing Qi2 requires additional hardware components, potentially increasing production costs for smartphone manufacturers.
• Limited availability of chargers: The availability of Qi2 chargers is still relatively limited, which hinders their widespread adoption.
• Consumer awareness: Many Android users may not be aware of the benefits of Qi2 or its existence, resulting in low demand for it.

While the release of the HMD Skyline is a promising step, the full potential of Qi2 can only be realized when more Android manufacturers embrace the technology, and when a wider range of Qi2 chargers become readily available. Until then, Android users will have to wait a little longer to experience the convenience and efficiency of next-gen wireless charging.