Wireless iPhone charging is a feature Apple fans have dreamed of for years, and it could finally be on the way — with an interesting twist that takes advantage of Apple’s unique technology.
In a newly published patent application, Apple describes a means of bringing inductive charging to its iOS devices, all without the need for additional hardware.
As in the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Note 5, Apple’s wireless technology would rely on a transmitter coil that passes power to a receiver coil rigged up to the phone’s battery. Unlike the Samsung tech, however, Apple would utilize electrical coils already featured in the iPhone’s speakers, microphones and Taptic Engine rather than adding a new one.
The lack of wireless charging has been a stick Samsung has used to beat Apple with. Following the announcement of the iPhone 6s, Samsung debuted an ad showing off the wireless charging capabilities of its latest devices, while depicting a dead iPhone 6 Plus being placed on a wireless charging pad to no effect.
Fortunately, patents like this suggest a change may be in the air. Recently, technology giant Qualcomm revealed the invention of a new charging technology that allows metal phones to use wireless charging for the first time.
Is it too early to get excited about the iPhone 7, anyone?
Source: USPTO
Via: Patently Apple
Luke Dormehl is a U.K.-based journalist and author, with a background working in documentary film for Channel 4 and the BBC. He is the author of The Apple Revolution and The Formula: How Algorithms Solve All Our Problems … and Create More, both published by Penguin/Random House. His tech writing has also appeared in Wired, Fast Company, Techmeme and other publications.
10 responses to “How Apple could revolutionize wireless charging for iPhone”
Why is this called wireless? While the phone or device may not be tethered the charging pad is… So then the phone is not being wirelessly charged it has to be on pad which is tethered to power source… Not wireless as it doesn’t charge when removed from pad
Maybe think of it as wire-less, as in less wires?
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I’ve always felt like “wireless” charging pads were inferior to actual charging cables because, 1) If the phone gets knocked off the table by your cat or something, it’s not going to stay connected, 2) you can’t easily use the phone while it’s charging, 3) it’s more to pack when you want to take your charger with you on the go. The tech exists for true wireless charging at short distances and even longer distances with repeaters, I hope companies start investing in that instead.
Yeah, this is why I just don’t care that Apple hasn’t already added this feature. I don’t see how this makes me any less tethered.
Not to mention wireless charging creates heat, which is absolutely terrible for lithium-ion batteries.
Cordless charging is nice but certainly not a must have.
This is not wireless charging, its inductive charging, and its 10 times slower than plugging your device in. Also, the charging pad has a wire that you have to plug in. This is a gimmick. Call me when my iPhone can pull current from the air.
Not just a gimmick – a harmful gimmick. “Wireless” charging creates heat, which I’m willing to bet shortens the lifespan of the phone’s battery over time. I’ll keep my army of lightning cables, thanks.
I have been using wireless charging with my Nokia for three years. Original battery still gets a whole day’s usage.
It’s just as fast as wired, and no more heating when charging than wired.
Finally, no stress on a physical connector which I understand is a weak point on other phones.
No doubt you are the kind of fanboi who argued for the tiny iPhone screen, right up until Apple finally caved in.