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Qi2

Apple’s MagSafe fuels new Qi2 wireless charging standard
Qi2 is MagSafe for iPhone and Android.

The Wireless Power Consortium made Apple’s innovative wireless charging system for iPhone into an industry standard dubbed “Qi2.”

What is Qi2?

Wireless phone charging has been around since at least 2012. Apple built the Qi standard into the iPhone 8, but significantly improved it with MagSafe starting with the iPhone 12. The alternative version puts magnets around the wireless charging coil to automatically align the iPhone to compatible accessories.

The Wireless Power Consortium liked the idea so much it put MagSafe at the heart of its Qi2 (pronounced “chee two”) wireless power standard. But this isn’t the WPC ripping off Apple’s idea: The iPhone-maker helped develop the new standard.

Every iOS device going back to the iPhone 12 supports it. Android… not so much. Samsung built part of the standard into the Galaxy S25 series, but left out the magnets.

Read Cult of Mac’s latest posts on Qi2:

Get deep discounts on 6 of our top 10 power banks for Apple users

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Anker MagGo Power Bank 10K
This one features a useful display.
Photo: Anker

Choosing the right power bank can transform how you use your iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch throughout the day. We recently gathered the top 10 power banks for Apple users — and six of them are currently on sale at Amazon. These power bank deals include our No. 1 pick, Ugreen’s MagFlow Qi2.2 power bank. It features speedy 25W charging for iPhone, plus charging for other devices. See the deals below.

Top 10 power banks for Apple users in 2025

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Ugreen MagFlow Qi2.2 power bank
With fast Qi2.2 (25W) wireless charging, faster wired charging and an informative display, this is our top choice.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

Ever been stranded with a dead iPhone in a crucial moment? Finding the best power banks for Apple devices can be the difference between staying connected and watching your screen go black. Thankfully, the market is loaded with great portable power banks that can keep your iPhone and other Apple devices powered up on the go. We rounded up the top 10 power banks for Apple users, including two of the fastest Qi2.2 models available so far. 

iOS 26 unlocks faster 25W Qi2 charging on iPhone 16

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Qi2 25W will come to iPhone 16 with iOS 26.
iPhone 16 will gain support for Qi2 25W.
Photo/Graphics: Apple/Rajesh Pandey/Cult Of Mac

iOS 26 will improve wireless charging on the iPhone 16 by adding Qi 2.2 support. This will unlock faster charging speeds of up to 25W.

Apple’s current iPhones already support 25W wireless charging, but only with MagSafe chargers.

Belkin’s gorgeous new iPhone stands do 25W wireless charging

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Belkin UltraCharge Pro 3-in-1 Magnetic Charging Dock
The UltraCharge Pro 3-in-1 Magnetic Charging Dock (center) is the highlight of Belkin’s new iPhone stands.
Image: Belkin

Forget about the old 15W limitation on wireless charging. Belkin took the wraps off a trio of iPhone stands on Friday that support the new Qi2 25W standard, offering a 66% increase in speed.

The new models include the UltraCharge Pro 3-in-1 Magnetic Charging Dock for use in the office, plus a pair of multidevice wireless chargers for travel.

Why Google’s Pixelsnap system in Pixel 10 benefits iPhone users

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Pixelsnap for iPhone
Your next iPhone accessory could be from Google’s Pixelsnap line.
Image: Google/Cult of Mac

The newly announced Google Pixel 10 includes Pixelsnap, a system that lets wireless chargers and other accessories cling magnetically to the back of the phone. If that sounds familiar, that’s because Pixelsnap is another name for Apple’s MagSafe system for iPhones.

But this is not yet another example of Google stealing a good idea from Apple. Instead, Apple helped make MagSafe into the Qi2 standard so other companies would build it into their handsets. And that’s what Google did, though it felt the need to rebrand Qi2 as Pixelsnap. Whatever the name, the more handsets with Qi2, the more iPhone users benefit.

Wireless chargers accelerate to 25W

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Qi2 25W
Qi2 25W makes wireless charging up to 70% faster.
Image: Wireless Power Consortium

Wireless charging just got faster. A new version of the Qi standard brings power transfers up to 25 watts — it’s dubbed Qi2 25W (logically enough).

Over a dozen devices already support it, including recent iPhones. And the Wireless Power Consortium once again teased that Android handset makers would adopt the new standard… finally.

Satechi OntheGo wireless travel charger offers max power in minimum space

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Satechi OntheGo 3-in-1 Charger
The Satechi OntheGo 3-in-1 Charger is ready for your next vacation.
Photo: Satechi

Put a Satechi OntheGo 3-in-1 Charger on a hotel nightstand and it’s ready to juice up your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods all at once. When it’s time to go, it folds up into a travel-friendly shape.

There’s also a 2-in-1 version, and both hit store shelves on Tuesday.

Samsung blows another chance to adopt the MagSafe-like Qi2 standard

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Samsung Qi2: Nope
Despite a promise from Samsung, the Galaxy S25 series doesn’t have Qi2. Not really.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Qi2 wireless charging could have helped the newly announced Samsung Galaxy S25 series better compete with the iPhone. But no — the Korean phone-maker let another opportunity to integrate this useful feature into its products sail by.

Samsung did build a half-assed version of Qi2 in the S25 series, so it might claim it met its promise to adopt the charging standard. But it’s a clunky solution.

iPhone users should care about Samsung’s poor decision because it means accessory-makers are less likely to produce Qi2-compatible products that are also compatible with Apple’s handsets.

Get a 3-in-1 charging station with cozy halo light for just $45

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Product photo of the Clingomatic Qi2.
Get the Clingomatic Qi2 3-in-1 Charging Station on sale for $44.99.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The Clingomatic Qi2 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station with Halo Light offers a simple solution for charging your iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch all in one place. It’s designed to fit seamlessly on a nightstand, desk or side table, bringing a touch of modern elegance to your space. And right now, it’s on sale for just $44.99 (regularly $119.95).

These transforming charging stations power up iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods at once

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Product photo of the MagTube Qi2 3-in-1 intelligent charging station.
You need to see these unique, 3-in-1 charging stations in action!
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Designed with Apple users in mind, the Mag Tube and Mag Qube Qi2 charging stations can juice up iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch simultaneously. But they’re not like every other cookie-cutter charger. Their magnetic tops rotate so you can attach your iPhone at a convenient angle. And their dedicated wireless charging spots for Apple Watch and AirPods pop out of the gadgets’ sleek sides like one of R2-D2’s stealthy tools.

One charger is cylindrical and the other is a rectangular cuboid. (Yeah, we had to look that up.) And they’re both on sale now for just $79.99.

MagSafe goes cross-platform as Samsung finally commits to Qi2

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Samsung Qi2
The Qi2 charger in iPhone just got a boost from Apple’s biggest rival.
Photo: Samsung/Wireless Power Consortium

Samsung committed itself on Monday to integrating Qi2 wireless charging into its Galaxy line of Android-based smartphones. It’s been dragging its feet for years, while the last four generations of iPhone models all support the standard.

Samsung’s just-announced adoption of Qi2 should benefit iPhone users, who until now have been the only ones able to take advantage of the new standard. More handsets using the magnetically enhanced wireless charging capability should lead to more accessories that employ it. More cross-platform accessories are a win for everyone.

Pricey new charger for iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods tempts with good looks [Review] ★★★★☆

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Journey Nova charger portrait★★★★☆
So that's a ... charger?
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

In a world of look-alike 3-in-1 chargers for iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods, the new Journey Nova 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station stands out. Like its distinctive looks or not, seeing it without any devices charging might make you wonder what the hell it is — an abstract sculpture, or maybe a prop from the original Star Trek? But for many it could be the sleek charger that subtly fits in with modern decor — if they’re willing to pay the hefty asking price ($139.99).

Top up iPhone fast on the road with new Satechi Qi2 car charger

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qi2-wireless-car-charger-car-chargers-satechi-191405.png
Satechi's new Qi2 wireless car charger will top your iPhone or Android device with speed.
Photo: Satechi

The new Satechi Qi2 Wireless Car Charger will replenish your iPhone or Android handset battery fast on the road, the well-known tech accessories company said Thursday. That’s because the compact, space-gray Qi2 charger packs a full 15 watts of charging power, MagSafe-style, rather than the routine 7.5 many older chargers bring.

So if you have an iPhone 12 series handset or newer, or a Qi2-enabled Android phone, it can get a nice extra energy boost in the car.

Pitaka MagEZ car mount elevates iPhone charging on the road [Review] ★★★★

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Pitaka MagEZ Car Mount Pro 2 Qi2★★★★
Pitaka's mount has a strong magnetic grip for your iPhone or other handset.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

Sometimes people take car chargers for granted as merely functional necessities. But Pitaka challenges that with its new MagEZ Car Mount Pro 2 Qi2, a sleek and innovative device that fast-charges your iPhone or other smartphone and streamlines your in-car experience. It takes up little space as it brings your handset’s screen in sight.

As as a Qi2 device, it gives everyone MagSafe-level charging. And the company also makes a MagSafe edition, of course. It’s a great accessory to keep in the car, especially if the car lacks CarPlay on its infotainment screen.

Your bedside table deserves this 3-in-1 charging station [Review] ★★★★

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ESR Qi2 3-in-1 charging station★★★★
ESR's Qi2 3-in-1 charging station can wirelessly fast charge your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

A multidevice charger like the ESR Qi2 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station is a must-have, especially if you own an iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods. A 3-in-1 charger removes the hassle of dealing with multiple power bricks and cables, which occupy unwanted desk space and power sockets.

ESR recently launched its Qi2 3-in-1 wireless charging station, which stands out for its Qi2 support and detachable Apple Watch charger. Its small footprint, sturdy design and welcome extras make it a solid contender for a prime spot on your nightstand.

Power up iPhone, Apple Watch and more with first Belkin Qi2 wireless charging stand

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Power up iPhone, Apple Watch and more with first Belkin Qi2 wireless charging stand
Belkin just launched one of the first multi-device charging stands with Qi2.
Photo: Belkin

The Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand with Qi2 offers 15W charging for iPhone and other Qi2-enabled handsets, fast charging for Apple Watch, and optimal charging for AirPods, too.

This third version of Belkin’s charging stand launched Tuesday.