Qi wireless charging is getting a speed increase

Do you find wireless charging very slow? Well that is all about to change very soon. The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) announced today that a new Qi wireless power standard is coming. It is similar to Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 2.0 technology meaning it should be very fast.

Wireless chargers are great for convenience, but really suck to use. Currently they are so much slower compared to just plugging your device in and much slower if your device supports quick charging. It is excellent to hear that wireless charging is finally getting a speed increase. The new version will deliver 15 watts of power as opposed to the current slow 5 watts. This will allow you to wirelessly charge your phone in virtually half the time.

Just like an infomercial “that’s not all”, WPC is saying the new Qi specification will be backward compatible with all existing Qi products. Unfortunately there are no software updates for Qi chargers making me think they are only referring to devices like phones with Qi charging built in and not the older wireless Qi pads.

WPC Increases Power, Improves User Experience with New Qi Wireless Power Standard Specification

Latest Update Paves the Way for Fast Charging of Mobile Phones

PISCATAWAY, N.J., June 23, 2015 – The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), the driving force and leader in the global adoption of wireless power technology, today announced that the latest version of the Qi specification now makes it possible to deliver 15 watts of power to mobile phones that support wireless fast charging. This Qi fast charging feature enhances the charging experience by decreasing the time required to wirelessly charge devices.

Several manufacturers already offer wired fast charging for their devices, providing as much as 60 percent charge in as little as 30 minutes. The latest Qi specification empowers them to extend this speed to wireless charging as well. Once again this is a first in wireless charging, creating more choice for consumers in the eco system of Qi-compatible products, an ecosystem that already offers the largest choice in wireless chargers, addressing the many different needs of consumers at home and on the move.

“With a deployed base of well over 50 million units, hundreds of registered products and users all around the world, we understand the importance of a specification that supports innovation,” said Menno Treffers, chairman of the WPC. “This release marks an important milestone for Qi, introducing the first higher power class and paving the way for our members to address more demanding applications with products that work seamlessly with the installed base of Qi-compatible products.”

In addition to the new Qi specification, the WPC also approved the test procedures and tools needed to verify that fast charging products are compliant with the new Qi specification, as well as being backward compatible with all existing Qi products.

The new specification is initially available only for members of the Wireless Power Consortium. It will be made available as a public document at a later date.

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