Apple released one of the biggest iOS updates for the iPhone earlier this month, which brought a handful of front-facing features for users in countries that fall under the EU. The new iOS 17.4 update allows users to sideload apps on the iPhone and install third-party app stores. Despite these changes for the App Store and developers, Apple still managed to squeeze in some features for users in the North American market, especially those with an iPhone 12. It was discovered earlier that Apple has silently upgraded the wireless charging speed of the iPhone 12, bringing Qi2 support to the three-year-old iPhone.
iPhone 12 users should update to iOS 17.4 to enjoy 15W wireless charging speeds via Qi2-certified chargers
If you are unfamiliar with it, the iPhone 12 could be wirelessly charged at 15W speeds, but third-party accessories were restricted to 7.5W charging. With the arrival of the new Qi2 standard by the Wireless Power Consortium, which is based on MagSafe, users will be able to charge their devices at full 15W speeds. Apple introduced the new MagSafe technology with the launch of the iPhone 12 lineup, and at that time, users were charging their devices by simply placing them on any Qi-certified charger.
With the release of iOS 17.4, Apple has silently increased the wireless charging speed of the iPhone 12 through Qi2-certified wireless chargers, allowing users to be on par with the current flagships from Apple. The update does not come as a surprise, though, as the company updated the wireless charging speeds of the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 lineup last year. However, the company will not bring Qi2 speeds to older iPhone models.
There is a simple reason why faster wireless charging will not be available on iPhone models older than the iPhone 12, and it has a lot to do with the company’s MagSafe technology. Older iPhone models do not feature MagSafe, which are magnets arranged in a concentric circle behind the iPhone, allowing accessories and chargers to stick securely behind the device. This suggests that iPhone 11 and older models with wireless charging capabilities will not be able to utilize the Qi2 standard.
This also means that Android smartphone manufacturers can utilize the Qi2 standard by offering MagSafe-like technology in future smartphones. According to tests conducted by Macworld, the iPhone 12 can be charged at full 15W wireless charging speeds when using Qi2 chargers after the iOS 17.4 update. Apple did not mention the change in iOS 17.4 release notes, but we are glad the wireless charging speeds have been upgraded.
