What Is Qi2? The Wireless Charging Standard Explained
If you've seen "Qi2" or "Qi2.2" on phone specs lately and wondered what the numbers mean, you're not alone.
Wireless charging has been around for years, but Qi2 (pronounced "chee-two") is the first major upgrade to the standard since its introduction—and it changes how wireless charging actually works.
The short version: Qi2 adds magnets to wireless charging. Those magnets ensure your phone and charger align perfectly every time, which makes charging faster, more efficient, and less prone to overheating.
Qi2.2 takes it further by boosting charging speeds to 25W—nearly double the 15W limit of standard Qi2.
If you're deciding between chargers, cases, or phones in 2026, understanding the differences between original Qi, Qi2, and Qi2.2 matters. Here's what you need to know—in plain English.
Understanding the Three Wireless Charging Standards
Before diving into Qi2, it helps to understand where wireless charging started—and why it needed an upgrade in the first place.
Original Qi: The Foundation (2008-2023)
The original Qi standard (pronounced "chee") launched in 2008 and became the dominant wireless charging technology worldwide. It's been in smartphones since around 2012 and works through electromagnetic induction.
How it works:
- A coil in your charging pad creates a magnetic field
- A coil in your phone sits within that field
- The magnetic field induces an electrical current in your phone's coil
- That current charges your battery
The limitations:
- No magnetic alignment — you manually place your phone and hope it's centered
- Slow speeds — most phones charged at 5-7.5W (iPhones maxed at 7.5W, some Androids hit 10W)
- Alignment issues — even 2-3mm of misalignment drastically reduced efficiency
- Heat generation — wasted energy from poor alignment turned into heat
- Inconsistent charging — phones could shift overnight and stop charging
Original Qi worked, but it was finicky. You'd set your phone down, walk away, and sometimes return to find it barely charged because it wasn't quite centered on the pad. The lack of alignment feedback meant you were always guessing.
Qi2: The Magnetic Upgrade (2023-2025)
Qi2 is the latest wireless charging standard developed by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC)—the same organization behind the original Qi standard.
Announced in early 2023 and rolling out widely in 2024-2026, Qi2 introduces one major upgrade: magnetic alignment.
Qi2 introduces the Magnetic Power Profile (MPP), which uses a ring of magnets positioned around the charging coil. When you place your phone on a Qi2 charger, the magnets snap it into perfect alignment automatically. The charging coils line up precisely, and energy flows at maximum efficiency.
Key improvements over original Qi:
- Automatic magnetic alignment — no more hunting for the "sweet spot"
- Reliable 15W charging — consistent full-speed charging every time
- Better efficiency — perfect coil alignment means less wasted energy
- Less heat — efficient energy transfer reduces thermal buildup
- Works vertically — magnets hold your phone on stands and car mounts
Sound familiar? It should. Qi2's magnetic alignment is based directly on Apple's MagSafe technology, which Apple contributed to the WPC to make it a universal standard. iPhones have had this since the iPhone 12 (2020). Now, Android phones are catching up.
Qi2.2: The Speed Upgrade (2025+)
If Qi2 was the upgrade that added magnets, Qi2.2 (also called "Qi2 25W") is the upgrade that added speed.
Qi2.2 was formalized by the WPC in 2025 and brings one major improvement: 25W wireless charging speeds—a 67% jump from Qi2's 15W limit and more than triple the 7.5W speeds of most original Qi charging.
What changed in Qi2.2:
- Higher power output: 25W vs. 15W (Qi2) or 5-7.5W (original Qi)
- Improved thermal management: Better heat dissipation to handle higher wattage
- Smarter communication: Enhanced negotiation between charger and device to optimize speed
- Backward compatibility: Qi2.2 chargers work with Qi2 and original Qi devices (at their max speeds)
The magnets stay the same. Qi2.2 still uses the Magnetic Power Profile from Qi2—it just allows more power to flow through that perfectly aligned connection.
Original Qi vs. Qi2 vs. Qi2.2: Side-by-Side Comparison
Here's how the three standards compare across the features that matter most:
| Feature | Original Qi | Qi2 | Qi2.2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magnetic Alignment | None — manual placement | Yes — automatic snap-on alignment | Yes — automatic snap-on alignment |
| Charging Speed | 5-7.5W typical (up to 15W spec) | Up to 15W (full speed, reliably) | Up to 25W |
| Efficiency | Lower — prone to misalignment | Higher — perfect coil alignment | Highest — perfect alignment + optimized power delivery |
| Heat Buildup | More heat from wasted energy | Less heat — better energy transfer | Managed heat despite higher wattage |
| Accessory Ecosystem | Limited (flat pads mostly) | Expanded (wallets, car mounts, battery packs) | Expanded (same as Qi2) |
| Real-World 0-50% Charging Time | ~60-75 minutes | ~35-45 minutes | ~25-35 minutes |
Why Alignment Matters So Much
Here's the thing about wireless charging: distance kills efficiency.
When the coils are misaligned—even by 2-3mm—the magnetic field has to work harder to bridge the gap. That extra effort turns into wasted energy, which becomes heat.
Heat triggers thermal throttling, which slows charging to protect your battery. So your charger might advertise 15W, but if your phone is sitting crooked on the pad, you're actually getting 6W—and a warm phone.
Qi2's magnets eliminate this problem. The coils align within 0.5mm tolerance every time. Energy transfers efficiently. Less heat. Faster charging. Simple.
Qi2.2 builds on that foundation by safely pushing more power through that perfect alignment—delivering speeds that finally make wireless charging competitive with cables.
Which Phones Support Qi, Qi2, and Qi2.2?
As of early 2026, Qi2 and Qi2.2 adoption is accelerating—but it's still a mix across manufacturers.
✅ Full Qi2 Support (Built-In Magnets + 15W)
Apple iPhones:
- iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max
Google Pixel:
- Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro Fold
These phones have built-in magnets and work with Qi2 chargers, wallets, car mounts, and accessories right out of the box.
⚡ Qi2.2 Support (25W Charging)
Apple iPhones:
- iPhone 16 Pro Max — 25W MagSafe at launch
- iPhone 16 Plus — 25W MagSafe at launch
- iPhone 16, 16 Pro — launched with 15W MagSafe, upgraded to 25W Qi2.2 via iOS 26 update
- iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max — 25W Qi2.2 support
Google Pixel:
- Pixel 10 Pro XL (25W Qi2.2)
Samsung Galaxy:
- Galaxy S25 series (supports 25W Qi2.2 speeds, but no built-in magnets)
- Galaxy S26 series (expected Feb 2026 — same: 25W speeds, no magnets)
⚠️ The Samsung Catch: Qi2.2 Speeds, But No Magnets
Samsung's approach to Qi2 is... unique.
The Galaxy S25 and S26 series support Qi2.2 charging speeds (25W on the Ultra, 20W on base/Plus models), but Samsung chose not to include built-in magnets.
Instead, they use the "Base Power Profile" (BPP) of the Qi2.2 spec—which delivers the speed, but skips the magnetic alignment.
What that means: To use Qi2 magnetic chargers, wallets, or car mounts with a Samsung phone, you need a magnetic case.
Not just any case—a case with strong magnets, precise alignment, and a thin profile to maintain full 25W charging speeds. Cheap cases with weak magnets or thick backs will slow charging down to 10-12W and cause overheating.
(MagBak Elite cases use N52 neodymium magnets—the strongest grade available—and a 1.8mm back profile to deliver both: perfect Qi2 alignment and full 25W speeds.)
Why Magnets Matter for Wireless Charging
If you're coming from the original Qi standard, magnets might feel like a "nice-to-have" upgrade. They're not. They're essential for making wireless charging work the way it should.
1. Perfect Alignment = Maximum Efficiency
When the charging coils align perfectly, energy flows efficiently. Less energy is lost as heat, so your phone charges faster and stays cooler.
Without magnets, you're relying on manual placement. Even if you think you've got it centered, a 2mm shift can drop efficiency by 30%.
2. Consistency Across Charges
With Qi2, every charge is the same. The magnets snap your phone into position. No guesswork. No waking up to a dead phone because it slipped out of alignment overnight.
3. Vertical and Car Charging
Try using a vertical wireless charging stand without magnets. Your phone slides. It tilts. It falls off.
Qi2's magnets hold your phone in place—even on vertical stands, car dashboard mounts, or gym equipment holders. Gravity doesn't matter when magnets are doing the work.
4. Access to the Magnetic Accessory Ecosystem
Once your phone has Qi2 compatibility (either built-in or via a magnetic case), you unlock an entire ecosystem of accessories:
- Magnetic wallets that snap onto the back of your phone
- Battery packs that attach magnetically for on-the-go charging
- Car mounts that hold your phone securely while driving
- Desk stands that let you charge and use your phone simultaneously
- Tripod adapters for stable video recording
Without magnets, none of these work reliably. With Qi2, they all just... snap on.
Qi2 in Practice: What You'll Notice
Here's what changes when you switch from an old Qi charger to Qi2:
Faster Top-Ups
With better alignment and consistent 15W (or 25W with Qi2.2), you'll see noticeably faster charging—especially in the first 30 minutes, when phones charge most aggressively.
Example: On a Qi2.2 charger, an iPhone 17 can hit 50% battery in about 30 minutes. On an old 7.5W Qi pad, that same 50% takes over an hour.
Cooler Charging
Efficient energy transfer means less wasted heat. Your phone won't feel hot to the touch after 20 minutes on the charger.
This isn't just comfort—it's battery health. Excessive heat degrades lithium-ion batteries over time. Cooler charging = longer battery lifespan.
One-Handed Placement and Removal
The magnets are strong enough to hold your phone securely, but not so strong that you need two hands to pull it off. You can snap your phone on and off a Qi2 charger with one hand—even while holding coffee in the other.
No More "Is It Charging?" Guesswork
You know that moment when you set your phone down on a wireless pad, walk away, and then come back 20 minutes later to find it didn't charge because it was 1cm too far to the left?
With Qi2, that doesn't happen. The magnets either snap your phone into place, or they don't. There's no ambiguity. If it's attached, it's charging.
Do You Need Qi2? (Honest Answer)
If you're buying a new phone in 2026, chances are it already supports Qi2 or Qi2.2—especially if you're looking at flagship models.
But should you upgrade your chargers and accessories to Qi2? Here's when it makes sense:
✅ You Should Upgrade to Qi2 If:
- You charge wirelessly regularly (daily or multiple times per day)
- You use your phone while charging (vertical stands, car mounts)
- You're frustrated with slow or inconsistent wireless charging
- You want access to magnetic wallets, battery packs, or car mounts
- You have an iPhone 12+ or a Qi2-compatible Android phone
❌ You Can Skip Qi2 (For Now) If:
- You only charge with a cable
- Your phone doesn't support Qi2 and you're not upgrading soon
- You rarely use wireless charging (once a week or less)
- Your current Qi charger works fine for your needs
Bottom line: If wireless charging is part of your daily routine, Qi2 is worth it. If you're a wired-charging person, there's no rush.
What About Cases?
If your phone has built-in Qi2 support (like an iPhone 12+ or Pixel 10), your case needs to allow magnets to work.
Most modern MagSafe-compatible cases do this by embedding their own magnets or leaving space for the phone's magnets to engage with the charger.
If your phone doesn't have built-in magnets (like the Samsung Galaxy S25/S26 series), you need a case that adds them.
Here's what to look for in a Qi2-compatible case:
- N52 magnets (strongest grade, proper hold strength)
- Thin back profile (1.8-2.5mm to maintain charging efficiency)
- Precise magnet placement (aligned to Qi2 spec within 0.2mm)
- Wireless-optimized materials (polycarbonate and TPU work best)
Cheap cases with weak N35 magnets or thick backs (3-4mm) will cause problems: poor hold, slow charging, and overheating.
Cases engineered for Qi2—like the MagBak Elite series—use N52 magnets and ultra-thin profiles to deliver both strong magnetic hold and full 25W Qi2.2 charging speeds. The magnets snap your phone into perfect alignment every time, just like phones with built-in support.
The Future of Qi2 (and Beyond)
Qi2.2's 25W speeds are impressive, but the Wireless Power Consortium isn't stopping there.
There's already talk of higher wattages in future updates—potentially 30W, 50W, or even higher for tablets and laptops. The magnetic alignment foundation is built. Now it's about scaling power safely.
We'll also see more multi-device chargers that can power a phone, smartwatch, and earbuds simultaneously—all with magnetic alignment for perfect placement.
And as more Android manufacturers adopt Qi2 (with or without built-in magnets), the accessory ecosystem will expand. Universal magnetic wallets, battery packs, and car mounts that work across iPhone, Samsung, Google, and other brands.
Qi2 isn't just a wireless charging upgrade. It's the foundation for how we'll interact with our devices for the next decade.
Key Takeaways
- Original Qi = wireless charging without magnets (5-7.5W typical, alignment issues)
- Qi2 = wireless charging with magnetic alignment (15W reliable)
- Qi2.2 = faster version with 25W charging speeds
- Magnets ensure perfect coil alignment, faster charging, less heat
- iPhone 12-15 has built-in Qi2 support (15W)
- iPhone 16 Pro Max & 16 Plus launched with 25W; iPhone 16 & 16 Pro upgraded to 25W via iOS 26
- iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max support 25W Qi2.2
- Pixel 10 series has full Qi2 with magnets; Pixel 10 Pro XL supports 25W Qi2.2
- Samsung S25/S26 supports 25W speeds but needs a magnetic case for Qi2 accessories
- Alignment matters — even small misalignment kills efficiency and speed
- Better for battery health — less heat = longer battery lifespan
Qi2 takes wireless charging from "sometimes convenient" to "actually reliable." The magnets fix the alignment problem that's plagued wireless charging since day one, and Qi2.2's 25W speeds make it competitive with wired charging for the first time.
If you're setting up a new charging station, upgrading your car mount, or buying a new phone in 2026, Qi2 compatibility is worth prioritizing. It's not just faster—it's how wireless charging was always supposed to work.
—The MagBak Team