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Android phone makers dropped the ball on Qi2 in 2024


Android phones have been the first to have a popular stack. They were the first to help 4G, 5G, USB-C (back in 2015 at least) and on-screen fingerprint sensor. And when it comes to wireless charging, you can trace the line all the way back to Samsung Galaxy S3 since 2012 (even webOS-powered Palm Pre it’s his Touchstone charger is the real OG). Unfortunately, when it comes to adding support for the 2024 wireless standard to devices, it seems like Android phone manufacturers are stuck on old documents.

The Qi2 level was was officially announced in early 2023 during CES. We gave it back prizeas it appears to bring 15-watt wireless charging (and maybe more in the future), good security and deep implementation of the Magnetic Power Profile that makes it easy to connect and connect compatible devices. Instead, Qi2 was launched to bring simplicity and ease of use for iPhone owners to enjoy MagSafe features to the Android ecosystem.

Not a single phone from the top three Android phone manufacturers in the US (Samsung, Google and Motorola) offered Qi2 support in 2024. Not a single phone from the top three Android phone manufacturers in the US (Samsung, Google and Motorola) offered Qi2 support in 2024.

Not a single phone from the top three Android phone manufacturers in the US (Samsung, Google and Motorola) supported Qi2 in 2024. (Photo by Sam Rutherford)

What’s even more surprising is that in a rare move for a company that likes to keep its technology well within its walls, Apple has shared parts of the MagSafe spec with other members. Wireless Power Consortium (which is the regulatory body that oversees the Qi and Qi2 standards) to accelerate development and interoperability. So you’d think after seeing the convenience and popularity of MagSafe devices among iPhone users, Android phone manufacturers would rush to add Qi2 to as many devices as possible. But almost two full years after this was completed, the number of Android mobile devices that support Qi2 stands at one: HMD Skyline.

At this point, you might be saying that product innovation is a multi-year process that is difficult to change before it happens. And most of the time, you might be right. But let’s be honest, it’s not like Samsung, Google, Lenovo and others didn’t see this coming. Like Apple, almost all Android phone manufacturers are too members of the WPCso they would have known about the development of Qi2 long before it was officially announced. On top of that, the first iPhone with MagSafe was iPhone 12which came out four years ago. So even if we think that the first time Samsung, Google et al were presented with the idea of ​​a wireless magnetic system was in the time of Apple in the fall of 2020, you can think that there is still enough time to develop a similar technology. use modern Galaxy and Pixel phones.

HMD Skyline was the only Android phone with Qi2 this year. HMD Skyline was the only Android phone with Qi2 this year.

HMD Skyline was the only Android phone with Qi2 this year. (Photo by Sam Rutherford)

For manufacturers, another concern with adopting a new standard is that there may not be enough hardware and related equipment being sold to make the new technology worthwhile. We have seen this in the past with mobile phones like LG G5 and Fire Z Force line is an interesting technology for reading palm on LG G8. However, because Qi2 and MagSafe devices are many changesthere is already a large market for such options Anker’s MagGo line of power banks, which are some of my favorite battery packs.

Another disappointment is that some phones like it Razr Plus and Pixel 9 Pro Fold they will magnetic stick to other Qi2 devices and can absorb less water. Unfortunately, this is accidental due to the magnets being used to help the folds open or close, rather than on purpose. This means that even though these devices may appear to support Qi2 at first glance, the devices do not have a strong grip and often fall off even when they are good. Even cases that claim to add Qi2 support are hit or miss, leaving Android phone owners to recreate the MagSafe magic themselves. That’s a real shame, because it feels like with a few small tweaks by Google, the Moto and others could open up Qi2 support to more devices without any extra effort or cost.

HMD Skyline uses Qi2 devices from AnkerHMD Skyline uses Qi2 devices from Anker

The lack of Qi2 support on Android phones is preventing users from enjoying many washing machines. (Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget)

Unfortunately, while most Chinese smartphone manufacturers have avoided Qi2 so far, that’s to be expected with manufacturers like Oppo often preferring proprietary technology. 65-watt AirVOOC wireless charging rather than accessing company information. And because the Galaxy S24 family came out at the very beginning of 2024, Samsung did not have much time to add Qi2 to their current line like Google, which launched the Pixel 9 series a few months ago. Regardless, this still doesn’t explain the reluctance of OEMs to adopt what I would say is one of the most important additions to accessibility and usability you can add to a smartphone.

But the most disappointing thing is that six months ago, our friends at CNET we thought about why we were but to see any Qi2 Android phones. And as we approach the end of the year, there is still only one brand that is trying to bring hope that 2025 will be different. So kudos to HMD for doing what Samsung, Google et al. I couldn’t be bothered to figure it out. Now I worry that if things don’t change next year, one of the most reliable standards may end up in the grave (at least for Android phones) before it gets a chance to be successful.





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