AirPods Wireless Charging Case Said to Work With Any Qi-Certified Charging Mat

[MacRumors]

At its iPhone X event last September, Apple previewed a new wireless charging case for AirPods, for use with its upcoming AirPower charging mat. The new case looks similar to the current version, which charges via Lightning cable, but it has a built-in induction coil that also enables wireless charging.

Conveniently, it appears that the AirPower won't be the only way to wirelessly charge AirPods placed in the new case.

Chinese publication Chongdiantou, citing unnamed sources within Apple's supply chain, claims that the wireless AirPods case supports the Wireless Power Consortium's universal Qi standard, implying that it will be compatible with any Qi-certified charging mat from companies beyond Apple.

This would differ from the Apple Watch, which uses a modified version of the Qi standard that only works with Apple's official magnetic charging cable and dock, and MFi-certified third-party docks with magnetic chargers. (Apple Watch Series 3 models technically work with select non-MFi chargers too.)

Chongdiantou has made headlines recently after leaking photos of what is claimed to be an engineering prototype of Apple's new 18-watt USB-C power adapter for 2018 iPhones. The website, citing unnamed industry insiders, also claimed that the AirPower should be released this September for around $149 in the United States. Overall, the publication lacks an established track record.

According to Bloomberg, Apple aims to release the AirPower by the end of September, so there's a good chance its pricing and availability will be detailed at Apple's usual iPhone event next month, which hasn't been announced yet. The wireless AirPods charging case should be released simultaneously with the AirPower.

Apple's marketing chief Phil Schiller said the wireless charging case will be optional, so customers with the original AirPods will be able to purchase it separately. Pricing has not been disclosed. Apple is also expected to announce second-generation AirPods with "Hey Siri" support at its September event, but it's unclear if the wireless charging case will be standard, or also be optional for those.

AirPower can charge multiple devices at once, including the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, Apple Watch Series 3 models, and AirPods placed in the new wireless charging case. Apple said it would work to have its proprietary technology become part of the universal Qi standard supported by many companies.

Article Link: AirPods Wireless Charging Case Said to Work With Any Qi-Certified Charging Mat

 

[farewelwilliams]

Well...if it ever exists...

 

[44267547]

That’s actually good news, because there are those who probably won’t purchase the AirPower if the Price point is too high or they don’t have a need to simultaneously charge multiple devices at once. Allowing the Airpods to charge via other Qi charging mats allow the Airpod case without being tethered only to the Airpower.

 

[Vanilla35]

Anyone else notice that convenience type features and products always seem pretty expensive for the utility that they provide over conventional means? Idk if it's just me, or if there are hidden premiums behind convenience based products, vs. actual innovation (revolution vs evolution)

 

[Braderunner]

Another reason NOT to buy AirPower.

 

[JPack]

Can you imagine if iPhone or iPad only worked with Apple-branded USB adapters?

AirPods should work with any Qi-Certified charging mat. It's a bit crazy we've come to expect Apple wireless charging to NOT be compatible with third-party chargers.

 

[mcfrazieriv]

LOL!
An accessory charging mat announced a year ahead of time... still yet to be released. What's the deal?

 

[m4mario]

This shows how challenging tech products really are. Announced a year back and still yet to ship.

 

[44267547]

LOL!
An accessory charging mat announced a year ahead of time... still yet to be released. What's the deal?

This shows how challenging tech products really are. Announced a year back and still yet to ship.

Then you either didn’t pay attention or watch the September 2017 Keynote, because Phil Schiller stated directly when they announced the Airpower “To watch for it in 2018”. There Is plenty of time for it to launch. Let’s wait a few weeks to see what September holds.

 

[MrGuder]

What I hate about my Airpods are they don’t synch automatically between iPad and iPhone. I always have to into setting and reconnect. If Bluetooth is always on they should always connect instantly. It seems once you connect to one device it disconnects from the other device and you have to reconnect. It’s not a good user experience. Airpods should automatically know Apple products and just connect.

 

[nutmac]

Another reason NOT to buy AirPower.

Quality Qi charger sells for about $35 each, so if the rumored price tag of $149 is true, you have 3 devices that needs to be charged regularly, and if it can provide 7.5W power to all 3 devices, it's not a bad price.

Having said that, AirPower isn't shipping yet and we do not yet know the details of its charging capabilities.

 

[ackmondual]

That’s actually good news, because there are those who probably won’t purchase the AirPower if the Price point is too high or they don’t have a need to simultaneously charge multiple devices at once. Allowing the Airpods to charge via other Qi charging mats allow the Airpod case without being tethered only to the Airpower.

Otherwise, I was thinking it may be cheaper to just buy 3 individual wireless chargers vs. 1 of these.

 

[e-coli]

Did somebody say AirPower?

 

[Rafterman]

Which September?

 

[Braderunner]

Quality Qi charger sells for about $35 each, so if the rumored price tag of $149 is true, you have 3 devices that needs to be charged regularly, and if it can provide 7.5W power to all 3 devices, it's not a bad price.

Having said that, AirPower isn't shipping yet and we do not yet know the details of its charging capabilities.

Maybe. But, since AirPower is taking sooooo long to be released, most people probably already have a wireless charger for their iPhone. The Watch comes with a wireless charger. So, buy one more charger that can be placed in another location....
I mean, yeah, it's nice to have one compact charger that can charge 3 devices at once. But, that price is ridiculous.
It's also nice to have a few, in different locations.

 

[Attirex]

I think there should be a Super AirPower mat that charges the regular AirPower mat that charges the AirPods case that charges the AirPods that also charges your iPhone and watch.

CHARGE!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[democracyrules]

Can you imagine if iPhone or iPad only worked with Apple-branded USB adapters?
.

I can and I wish that truly happens. Apple devices should only work with Apple accessories only for exclusivity.

 

[TaviDuprix]

For $150 I hope the cord does not fray after about a year of use as is the case with many other accessories. Probably a pass from me until I buy a watch or some other mobile device other than my X.

 

[afir93]

What I hate about my Airpods are they don’t synch automatically between iPad and iPhone. I always have to into setting and reconnect. If Bluetooth is always on they should always connect instantly. It seems once you connect to one device it disconnects from the other device and you have to reconnect. It’s not a good user experience. Airpods should automatically know Apple products and just connect.

But if I'm understanding you correctly, then the AirPods already do right now exactly what you are describing?

You don't need to go into settings and go through the whole pairing process again. Thanks to the W1 chip, you can just jump into the audio output menu in Control Center from anywhere and select the AirPods there, as long as they are paired with another compatible Apple device on the same Apple ID and within Bluetooth vicinity. So the AirPods already work pretty much exactly how you describe, if you pair them to one Apple product they are automatically paired to all of your Apple products and must only be selected as an audio output.

 

[Spendlove]

I bought a wireless charging case for the AirPods case! Sounds bizarre but it actually works. The Apple AirPods case fits inside the other wireless case. When it is all assembled it just looks like a slightly bigger and fatter AirPods case.

£10.

Bargain of the century.

 

[linkmaster02]

What I hate about my Airpods are they don’t synch automatically between iPad and iPhone. I always have to into setting and reconnect. If Bluetooth is always on they should always connect instantly. It seems once you connect to one device it disconnects from the other device and you have to reconnect. It’s not a good user experience. Airpods should automatically know Apple products and just connect.

If you mean you have to re-pair them, then something is wrong. But you do need to reconnect to whatever device you are listening to via airplay. Otherwise how would it know which device you intend to listen to?

 

[Krayzkat]

I think there should be a Super AirPower mat that charges the regular AirPower mat that charges the AirPods case that charges the AirPods that also charges your iPhone and watch.

CHARGE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Charge of the non-Lightning cable brigade!

I'm here all night.....

 

[Spendlove]

Maybe. But, since AirPower is taking sooooo long to be released, most people probably already have a wireless charger for their iPhone. The Watch comes with a wireless charger. So, buy one more charger that can be placed in another location....
I mean, yeah, it's nice to have one compact charger that can charge 3 devices at once. But, that price is ridiculous.
It's also nice to have a few, in different locations.

I have three wireless chargers already.

Home office - £19
Work office - £3!!!!
Nightstand (both Watch and iPhone) - £14

Apple simple cannot compete for my hard earned cash when it comes to these nice little extras as everyone else makes them sooooooo much cheaper, perfectly fine quality and RIGHT NOW which is the bit where Apple seem to be failing these days.

 

[omihek]

Another reason NOT to buy AirPower.

The first reason being that it doesn't exist.

 

[surf2snow1]

Another reason NOT to buy AirPower.

That and it’s never going to be released?

I was beaten to it