Manufacturers introduce the first wireless Qi2 chargers with magnets

Manufacturers have announced their first wireless chargers with support for the new Qi2 standard. They did this during the IFA fair in Berlin. This new standard will be based on Apple MagSafe and will be available later this year.

Including Belkin showed its first Qi2 chargers during the IFA. The company came up with, among other things, a buildable BoostCharge Convertible standard with integrated Qi2 charger. That device can be used as a flat charger, but also hold a phone upright while charging. In both cases, the smartphone is attached to the charger with magnets, just like with Apple MagSafe. Belkin also showed off a 3-in-1 charger with a 15W Qi2 charger, a 5W Qi charger and a USB-C port.

Belkin’s Qi2 chargers. Source: Belkin

Also Anker showed various Qi2 products during the IFA. The manufacturer comes with a MagGo power bank. That device has a capacity of 10,000mAh and a built-in kickstand. That device also has a small LCD on the side that shows, among other things, the battery capacity of the power bank. Anker also provides the MagGo with a USB-C port to charge devices with up to 27W. Anker also comes with a 6600mAh power bank, multiple 3-in-1 chargers with room for a Qi2 smartphone, a Qi surface and an Apple Watch. The manufacturer is also introducing a circular 8-in-1 charger with Qi2 surface, and multiple USB ports and AC connections.

From left to right: the 10,000 and 6600mAh MagGo power banks, the 8-in-1 charger and a 3-in-1 charger. Source: anchor

The Qi2 standard was announced at the beginning of this year during the CES in Las Vegas. The Wireless Power Consortium then confirmed that the new standard will be based on Apple’s MagSafe technology for iPhones, which was introduced in 2020 with the iPhone 12. Qi2 will therefore have magnets, so that the phone is always placed in the right place on the wireless charger. Qi2 maximum charging powers of 15W, although the WPC is also considering higher powers for later versions of the standard.

Although Qi2 will have a different magnet pattern than Apple MagSafe, according to previous reports, Apple’s existing iPhones are compatible with Qi2. Both Belkin and Anker call the Qi2 chargers ‘MagSafe-compatible’. However, it is not known what loading capacity that is. Manufacturers already offer ‘MagSafe-compatible’ chargers that are not officially certified by Apple; they usually offer powers up to 7.5W.

Belkin and Anker’s Qi2 chargers will be available later this year. However, the manufacturers do not currently share a concrete release date. Belkin’s BoostCharge Convertible Stand and 3-in-1 Charger Cost according to The Verge $60 and $130 respectively. Anker does not mention recommended prices.