Apple is said to be working on long-range wireless charging technology, which could make its way into the iPhone and iPad as early as 2017, according to Bloomberg. While products like the Apple Watch support inductive charging through the magnetic dock, the manufacturer is said to be developing technologies that can charge a phone even when it's not in contact with the charging plate:
Apple is exploring cutting-edge technologies that would allow iPhones and iPads to be powered from further away than the charging mats used with current smartphones, the people said, asking not to be identified as the details are private. The iPhone maker is looking to overcome technical barriers including loss of power over distance with a decision on implementing the technology still being assessed, they said.
Efficiency of power transfer decreases as the distance between transmitter and receiver grows, which means batteries take longer to recharge.
Rumors of Apple introducing wireless charging solutions are nothing new, but there hasn't been much in the way of a final product. That may finally change next year.
Source: Bloomberg
Reader comments
The 2017 iPhone may offer 'cutting-edge' wireless charging technology
Wasting Electricity just so you don't have to plug your phone in doesn't seem too eco friendly.
Sent from the iMore App
I think this has more impact than you think.. consider Wireless keyboards and mice, no cables, NO batteries.. or external monitors, again, using this combined with Intels new wireless connectivity .. completely wireless. Conference rooms, no longer having to plug hunt.. wooo.. I like..
Totally Agree, no more wires is a great thing.
How does that address the eco-friendly argument?
Who cares. Enough with the greenie-weenie crap.
Sent from the iMore App
These is going to be great! For cancer treatment centers anyway...
Likley not to happen, this story goes out every year.
There's been a lot more pointing to this one, I find it quite believable that the 2017 iPhone will have it. They really need to introduce something new and amazing to the iPhone
The usual vaporware rumor. But hey, I guess I’ll put off buying any new Apple products until this comes out right?
Maybe... they will make a iPencil you don't have to charge!
I'll take any wireless charging technology they will bring on. No matter if its near contact with the charging dock or if its up to a meter away. The further the better obviously but its so convenient just putting your phone down on the table to charg it! Sure, I have to hit the sweet spot on the table but if they can extend the range for charging up to 25 inches this would be killer. If it supports multipel phones charging at the same time this will be amazing for the living room table. Easily ten to fiftheen phones on it when there's a party. Half the guest asking about a charging cable or a free outlet. Think if they could just charge it by letting it rest on the table!
I hope its coming before 2020, but by then I probably stop partying ;)
Wireless charging will be the S version that's for sure.
I just wish iphone would get quick charging. Takes forever it seems to charge my 6S+. Compared to my 6P especially.
Posted via my Nexus 6P!
This excites me, because once Apple does it, everyone else will finally start to take it seriously, and everyone will start doing wireless charging as a standard.
I don't know why everyone makes such a big deal about wireless charging. It seems stupid to me, because you still have a charger that has a wire that is plugged into your wall. You have to put the phone on a plate instead of plugging a wire into it. BIG DEAL. I know for some people, it is just so hard to plug the wire into the bottom of their phones.
Furthermore, when using a wire, I can still USE MY PHONE. But when its "wireless", then I can't use it, because it needs to sit on the charger.
I will be impressed when it can charge while its in my pocket via wifi. That's wireless charging!
You'd be surprised at how many people break their charging cables or charging ports. The charging plate doesn't move so the cables will stay in pristine condition.
You know you can pick up the charging plate along with the phone to use it?
Your home has wires. How would you charge it without a source of electrical energy?
I like it because you can do it one handed. It takes less time to set the phone down on a plate than to plug it in.
My wife struggles at night if she forgets to plug her phone in before she puts lotion on her hands. It can be difficult to unplug a device to charge another.
Yes, it is slower, but I don't notice because I'm sleeping while it charges. I've never timed it from fully dead to 100%.
Options are nice.
Gimme a break with the "it takes less time" argument. If that fraction of a second is scrooing up your daily schedule, then you have some serious life problems my friend.
People have been plugging wires into devices for years. I used to plug in my joysticks to my atari 2600, and when I occasionally played a game that need the paddles, I had to unplug the joysticks, and plug in the paddles. It wasn't that hard!
If your wire breaks, buy a new one. And no, with most of the charging plates, you CANNOT pick it up and use it. Just look at the apple watch. Yeah, you can pick it up, but it will easily fall off.
All this is right now is the technology companies having a pising contest, because they don't have much new to offer. I have gone to the CES every year since 2002, and I see all these gimmicky things that don't catch on. This is one of them.
It's a convenience as well. I had an Atari 2600 too, that doesn't mean that new consoles need to have wired controllers. Technology keeps moving forward. You can't keep holding onto the past. It might not be the greatest technology, but it works.
The time savings might be more than you'd imagine.
Is you charging cable hanging from a drawer handle? You have to pick it off there to plug in your phone and have to remember each morning to hang it there. It takes time and energy.
Or is your cable being held by an alarm clock? Now you have to pick up the alarm clock or other object that is holding your cable in place.
Did it fall on the ground? Now you have to pick it up off the ground.
Do you have 2 or more cables? If not, then you have to remember where you put it. Is it in the car? On the counter? Next to the couch where you were charging it earlier?
After you find it, do you have to plug it into the wall too? Takes more time.
The charging plate stays in the same place. No thinking or wasted movement. Just set down or pick up your phone. You have to do that with a cable as well. It's an option. If you need to use your phone and charge it, then grab a cable and an extension cord so you can use it without being 1 meter from the wall.
If you need to use your phone while charging, you have some life problems as well. What do you do all day on your phone that you need to charge it regularly or have the need to use it while charging? Are you sure you don't need a new battery?
Just because this isn't your cup of tea doesn't mean you have to have a high and mighty attitude when others disagree or have views that don't make sense to you.
Yeah and when I lie in bed at night, I have my phone plugged in and I can use it. But if it is sitting on a plate, I can't.
I agree that technology moves forward, but some things are pointless and silly and just gimmicks just to say "look we did".
With your examples, you are better of jumping off a bridge. You will never have to worry about wasting time plugging anything in anymore. You will never get sick either.
You're right, plugging in a phone isn't some massive task. But it sure is nice being able to just grab and go in the morning, or place it on a charging cradle at night. It's also nice in the car, just put the phone on the car dock, and it's charging. I can do it while driving, no fuss or distraction. Also, no potential damage to the charging port.
BTW Rene, are we in pre-school? I wrote the word (screw ing) and it censored me?! So I used 2 Os instead. Same for urinating.