Future iPhones and Android phones are getting a big wireless charging upgrade

The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) has announced Qi2.2.1, a new spec that builds on Qi2 to deliver over 50% faster wireless charging.

David Uzondu Neowin · Jul 23, 2025 13:16 EDT with 15 comments

Back in 2023, the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) introduced the Qi2 standard, which brought things like magnetic alignment to the table, but was capped at only 15W. Now, two years later, the consortium is introducing the Qi 2.2.1 spec, officially branding it as "Qi2 25W," and, as the name suggests, this brings the maximum power delivery up to a much quicker 25W.

While 15W was a solid improvement over the old, misaligned 5W charging of the original Qi standard, it still lagged behind the proprietary systems some manufacturers were pushing.

Take OnePlus, for instance. Its Warp Charge Wireless could hit a ridiculous 50W, but you had to buy the company's specific, and often expensive, charging stand to get that power. Samsung played this game as well. It's "Fast Wireless Charging," promised 15W, but you often needed an official Samsung pad to actually see it; using a different Qi charger could easily knock your speed down.

The new 25W specification aims to standardize these higher speeds, creating a single, open protocol that any certified device can use. But, don't expect a simple software update for your current phone, as this faster speed requires new hardware certified for the Qi 2.2.1 spec.

Paul Struhsaker, Executive Director of the WPC, pointed out that the magnetic power protocol in the original Qi2 was always meant to be a foundation for faster and "more efficient" charging down the line.

The original Qi2 standard already has major players on board. Supported devices include Samsung's Galaxy S25 series (which requires a case for the magnets) and Apple's iPhone lineup starting from the 12, with a ton of accessory makers like Anker and UGREEN flooding the market with chargers.

Now, the WPC lists that 14 devices, receivers, and transmitters have already completed Qi2 25W certification in a "limited launch" that occurred last week. In addition to that, several major Android smartphones are set to join Apple in supporting this new specification.