A major upgrade to the Qi wireless charging standard promises faster, more reliable charging across iPhone and a growing number of Android phones.
The Wireless Power Consortium has launched Qi2 25W, a new version of its Qi2 standard that delivers nearly 70% more power than the original. Officially labeled version 2.2.1, the new spec jumps from 15 watts to 25 watts and is designed to work across brands.
Fourteen devices have already passed certification for Qi2 25W in a limited rollout. The queue now includes hundreds more phones, accessories, and chargers waiting for testing.
Apple already uses Qi2 in iPhones, but the introduces major Android makers to the ecosystem. Fady Mishriki, board chair, noted strong consumer interest and high-quality products in the certification process.
Faster charging has consistently been the top feature people want from wireless power, according to the group's internal research. While several manufacturers created their own fast charging systems, those often don't play well with third-party accessories.
Qi2 25W sets a shared, open standard for high-speed wireless charging that works across devices. Apple introduced Qi2 support in 2023 with iPhone 15 and iOS 17.
Apple helped lead the way
That release brought magnetic alignment, similar to MagSafe, and improved efficiency. It also helped speed up industry adoption. According to the consortium, over 1.5 billion certified Qi2 products have shipped so far, including phones, chargers, and accessories.
Charging an iPhone 16eApple played a key role in shaping the Qi2 standard, contributing its magnetic alignment system to the open spec now used across brands. That work began showing up in hardware with the launch of the second-generation MagSafe Charger in 2024.
It supports up to 25W of peak output when paired with a 30W or higher USB-C power adapter. The iPhone 16 lineup is the first to support 25W MagSafe charging.
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro typically top out near 22.5W, while the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 16 Pro Max reach the full 25W. These models are already compatible with Qi2 25W and don't require any update or special configuration to benefit from faster speeds.
Older iPhones going back to the iPhone 12 support Qi2 magnetic alignment and 15W charging, but not the 25W profile. They'll still work with Qi2 25W-certified chargers but will default to lower speeds.
Apple's early adoption and technical input gave Qi2 a strong foundation. Now, with 25W officially part of the spec, Apple users get faster charging while maintaining broad compatibility with certified third-party accessories.
