Alleged AirPower prototype shows up online

Source: Giulio Zompetti

A video on Twitter allegedly depicts a working AirPower prototype from Giulio Zompetti, a noted collector of unique Apple hardware.

Questioned by a commenter, Zompetti stated that this is a working unit or prototype of the canceled AirPower project first touted by Apple back in 2017. It comes after recent reports Apple is still working on some sort of mat to charge up to three devices such as the iPhone 12, Apple Watch, and AirPods. From, June:

Apple is still working on something similar to AirPower according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. While not necessarily the AirPower that was snatched from us far too soon, it's clear that Apple isn't going to give this one up without a fight.

The Cupertino company is still exploring a future wireless charger that works similarly to its failed AirPower, a charging mat designed to simultaneously power up an iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods, the people said.

Apple may struggle to compete with the best wireless chargers already available due to the massive delay to its own tech. We've previously seen leaks allegedly depicting the internals of the canceled project.

Apple did debut a new MagSafe charging system with iPhone 12, letting users connect a magnetic pad to the back of their device to charge it whilst also paving the way for new magnetic iPhone accessories. Apple is expected to continue the use of the feature in iPhone 13, and it could one day pave the way for a portless iPhone.