Here’s why the QI2 Android phone has not come yet, and why can it finally change

Two years have passed since the wireless power consortium (WPC) unveiled Qi2Magnetic wireless charging standard that promised to bring functionality like Magsef to Android devices. Like many other people, I bought perfectly in the first day promotion – a universal standard that could solve overheating due to the wrong coil and perhaps unlock a new wave of cool accessories that seemed to be attractive. But for today, fast forward and Q2 adoption is very low to say at least.

So what? Why did not QI2 take among the phone manufacturers to find any way to stand out of each other? This is a combination of factors, but thankfully we may not have to wait much.

If you are reading this article, it is likely that you are waiting for the release of the phone with QI2 for a long time. But let’s be honest: you and I are the exception, not the rules. The vast majority of smartphone users have no idea that QI2 exists yet – and even those who may not be a compelling use for it.

The biggest problem with QI2 is that it is currently limited to just 15W of charging power, which is not faster than the decade old Qi. wireless charging Standard. So in the absence of rapid charging, only the secondary angle remains. However, even the technology based on Magsafe – QI2 is not taken to that aspect to a large extent. It is undoubtedly easy for bedside charging and is quickly separating your phone from a magnetic car Mount, but how many people are still attached to a secondary everywhere?

As someone who has traveled extensively across Asia, I have rarely seen an iPhone associated an iPhone in the wild. Whether I was in Japan, China, or Malaysia, I never really saw anyone using Magsef Wallet or Power Bank. Of course, this is just my unique experience and does not reflect the actual status of the market. But given that some of the largest Android OEM Ole from that part of the world (signs: Samsung), I can see why they are not running to adopt Q2 yet.

He said, the potential shortage of adoption has not prevented phone manufacturers from experimenting with new features in the past, so they are being specially kept away from QI2? Surprisingly, Apple may be the reason again.

2. Q2 and confusion of control

Qi2 is the one that we call an open standard, in which it is considered to be usable by someone. However, we know that Apple contributed hugely to the development of QI2 that most of the Magsafe goods are truly cross-compatible. On the surface, it seems like a big win for Android users because we get access to a magsafe-soque experience without closing in the garden with apple walls. But digging a little deep, and it seems clear that Apple’s work on QI2 is a less donation work and is more about increasing the impact of the company.

Why would an Android manufacturer run to adopt a standard that Apple essentially donated bulk, especially when he had no to say in its development? And while the effect of Apple does not matter to the average consumer, it is a great thing for companies such as Samsung, Xiaomi and Google, which are used to control their own ecosystems. Adopting QI2 in its current position can mean eliminating control without any real profit, as it is not currently a huge improvement in the previous version.

As I mentioned above, QI2 makes a wireless charging cap of just 15W compulsory, similar to the original Qi standard. This can be acceptable a few years ago, but in 2025, it seems to be very clearly ancient. Companies like OnePlus and Xiaomi have long been pushed 50W wireless charging. While these speeds require proprietary charger, they still make the 15W border of QI2 old.

Even Apple has already moved forward: Starts with iPhone 16Magsafe got a 10W boost, leading to its charging speed 25W. Therefore, while the Android manufacturer is stuck with the 15W cap of QI2, Apple is quietly improving its own ownership solutions. Can it be a calculated trick, in which Apple contributed to the low version of its feature to the QI2, while left to develop the room at a fast pace for its own ecosystem? We will never know, but it has certainly not promoted QI2’s widespread adoption possibilities.

The third major reason why we have not seen any Q2 adoption yet, it is quite straightforward – it is not as simple as throwing a ring of magnets in an existing phone design. The smartphone is carefully engineered, often closed with design a few years ago. Adding a magnetic ring to the back panel may make it look simple, but it may still require significant internal changes.

Take HMD Skyline, which is currently the only Android phone with a magnetic ring and thus, full QI2 support. It is quite thicker than its peers, partially due to its repairable design but the possibility of magnetic ring played a role well.

And it is not only about adding magnets to the device physically. We experienced this first hand last year when some third -party cases were intervened with magnets with Galaxy S24 Ultra. penMany components inside your phone are sensitive to electromagnetic fields, and adding a magnetic accessory can be interrupted.

Thankfully, this is a temporary problem and we have already seen Samsung a semi-QI2 compatibility made for the Galaxy program. However, the problem still remains – add a magnetic accessory behind S25 Ultra And you can no longer use S Pen strong. Samsung’s phone still lacks underlying magnets, due to these very engineering challenges.

Even if the phone manufacturers are reluctant to adopt QI2 in their current situation, there is some good news, for all the reasons we discussed. Thanks to the growing list of third -party cases with magnets in them, no Android brand risk separates their most loyal enthusiastic audience.

The benefits of magnetic alignment and secondary support of QI2 are already available about any Android phone. Here Android authorityWe have recommended using cases with embedded magsafe-and magnets before the QI2 existence. And if you do not use a case with your phone, then there is always an option Stick-on magnetic ring adapterThis is not a perfect solution, but it works with minimal effort.

He said, there is a grip. Many phones have wireless charging coils which are slightly offset from where you expect them. My Pixel 8For example. Many Magsafe cases are in the position of the magnetic ring around Google logo, which seems logical, but it is only until you realize that the phone’s charging coil is located too low. This mislignament means that you lose the primary advantage of magnetic coupling: efficient charging. Instead of correct inspiring alignment, you end up with AD currents, which generate waste heat and can even contribute to the battery fall over time. This is a disappointing business, and I had to hunt a case that was completely align.

Thankfully, we are starting to see some progress on this front. For example, Samsung has taken an active approach with its latest S25 series. Designed for the Galaxy program, the company has determined the exact location of the charging coil, allowing case manufacturers such as Spigen to bring the magnetic ring to position for optimal alignment. It is inspired for some bizarre accessory design, like Samsung’s own QI2 wallet for S25Which facilitates a protruding ring to accommodate the S25 camera bump, but I still think it’s still a step in the right direction. We are first looking at the official support for magnetic alignment in the mainstream Android phone, and this is a win for all.

If the manufacturers hesitantly hesitate to adopt the original QI2 standard, the tide could eventually change with the upcoming QI2.2 modification. Both Google and Samsung have confirmed that they are actively contributing to this next repetition, and initial signals suggest that it can address one of the biggest criticisms of QI2: its dull charging speed.

Samsung’s semiconductor arm recently unveiled S2miw06A new power management chip that is capable of reaching 50W of wireless charging power. This is a possible game changer, but keep in mind that phone manufacturers are unlikely to adopt the full potential of the chip on safety and heat concerns. Nevertheless, QI2.2 can offer charging speeds that are already received with rival or even some Android manufacturers with their proprietary solutions.

Rapid charging speed will not solve all the challenges of QI2 alone. Nevertheless, it offers Android brands an opportunity to address some other shortcomings of original imagination. For example, uninterrupted secondary integration through software is greatly lacking on the Android side. While Apple’s official wallet Accessory Find shows the charge level in My and Magnetic Power Bank software, none of that functionality is present for Q2 ecosystem. Samsung and Google can eventually support the type of ecosystem that makes Magsef so compelling on the iPhone.

Therefore, while Q2’s journey so far has reduced, expected is expected. The standard is developing, and now leads the charge with heavyweight brands, QI2.2 can finally reach the promise that is waiting for. Meanwhile, we should allow QI2 to function as a reminder that the most promising and exciting of technologies may also end in the years of delay when all the stars do not align perfectly.