Apple technology will power all future phones, even Android – here’s why

The next standard for wireless phone chargers is based on Apple’s MagSafe technology. Yes, it is also compatible with Android.

A sequel to all the “wireless” Qi chargers in use today, the Qi2 is almost identical to Apple’s MagSafe. This results in faster charging, less power wastage, and, according to a Wireless Power Consortium press release, “will not shorten battery life or damage the user’s phone.”

“MagSafe is so good that I think it will become the new standard for Qi-charged devices going forward. The advantage is that you don’t have to carefully align your phone on the charging pad,” says the long-time user. Apple journalist Dan Moren writes in his Six. Color blog. “It also suggests that other devices and accessories that want to advertise Qi compatibility are also MagSafe/iPhone compatible.”

magnetic force

You can charge your iPhone from the old inductive charging pad that the industry persuaded you to call “wireless.” pad.

The advantage of Apple’s MagSafe over Qi chargers is the presence of magnets. Inductive charging works by using a metal coil to create a magnetic field. This field induces currents in nearby coils (for example, inside a mobile phone). This transfers power. The efficiency of this transfer depends on the precise alignment of the pads and the device’s coils, and MagSafe magnets do this automatically.

This results in faster charging, less heat and wasted energy. MagSafe isn’t as efficient as connecting cables, but at least it minimizes waste. Wireless charging can use up to 45% more power than using a cable.

“Charging speed depends on several factors, including efficiency and thermal issues. The need for good technology goes hand in hand with the need for standardization and clear marketing,” says wireless charging technology company Eggtronic. CEO Igor Spinella told Lifewire in an email.

Energy wastage is a big problem, but the immediate benefit to users is that their phones last longer. Batteries don’t like heat. Putting your phone on a heating pad overnight is not recommended, as charging the battery while it’s warm will significantly reduce its overall lifespan. As any iPhone owner who uses MagSafe already knows, MagSafe at least minimizes excess heat.

advantage apple

For users, this is a clear benefit. iPhone users will be able to purchase third party chargers and Android users will have a much better system. In theory, all MagSafe accessories for iPhone (camera lens holders, magnetic card wallets, etc.) also work with Android handsets.

But it’s also good for Apple. We might offer MagSafe, but we also ensure that our own inventions become the standard. Imagine doing this with a lighting connector when everything else is charging via a terrible micro-USB connector. could have been

With MagSafe, Apple doesn’t really lose much, but it gains a lot. When cheap and apparently equivalent Qi pads for Android phones are available, no one is buying a phone just for MagSafe. Apple loses little by giving up technology.

But all Qi2-certified chargers and devices work perfectly with Apple devices, whether they’re built into IKEA furniture or in backup battery packs, which is a benefit.

avoid

All these improvements don’t make Qi charging a good idea. Besides wasting electricity as mentioned, the charger itself is a waste of material. A charging pad uses more resources than a tiny USB-C cable. This ignores the fact that you still need a charging cable and a power brick that feeds the cable to power the charging pack.

Also, more complex charging pads are more difficult to recycle than simple wires.

So the best option is to not use these things at all. Convenience is the only reason to choose a charging pad with Lightning or USB-C connectivity. And is it really convenient? Yes, you don’t have to plug anything in, but you also can’t pick up the phone and use it while it’s charging.

Still, people should continue to use these, so I think the savings are a good thing.