Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

AirPower: Is Apple's Work on Multi-Device Wireless Charging Solutions Continuing?

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
68,152
38,926


Apple in 2017 introduced the AirPower as a flat charging bed capable of charging an iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch all at once, but technical problems prevented the AirPower from ever launching.

AirPower-With-AirPods-and-iPhone-Charging-Feature.jpg

Apple canceled the project in 2019 after running into development bugs, but since then, rumors have suggested work on a multi-device charger has continued. This guide highlights the rumors that we know about the wireless charging work that Apple has conducted, and it also includes details on the now-discontinued AirPower.

New Wireless Charger

Though Apple canceled the AirPower, the Cupertino company is still developing a multi-device charging solution. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the charger that Apple has in development would work similarly to the AirPower, and would charge multiple devices at one time.

Apple wants to create a charging accessory that would let users charge an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods all at the same time.

Apple is testing charging solutions that are not inductive, including short and long range wireless charging options. Apple wants a future where all of its major devices can charge one another. "Imagine an iPad charging an iPhone, and then that iPhone charging AirPods or an Apple Watch," wrote Gurman.

Details are scarce on when a new charging product could come out and what Apple might call it, but if Apple is relying on device to device charging or a long range wireless charging solution that does not require contact, it may still be a few years off. Gurman said in 2022 that some kind of charging solution would come "well before a decade from now."

MagSafe Charger

Alongside the iPhone 12 models, Apple introduced a line of "MagSafe" accessories, reviving the name once used for the MacBook's charger. MagSafe products are designed to work with a ring of magnets built into the back of iPhone models starting with the iPhone 12. There are cases, wallet accessories, and a MagSafe Charger.

applemagsafecharger.jpg

The MagSafe Charger snaps to the back of an iPhone using a magnetic connection and provides up to 15W of power when paired with a 20W power adapter from Apple, which is double the speed available with a standard 7.5W Qi wireless charger and equivalent to the 15W charging made available through Qi2 on supported devices.

iphone12promagsafe.jpg

Apple's MagSafe Charger is designed for the iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and iPhone 15 models and it charges much slower with older iPhone models. MagSafe charging options will eventually allow Apple to develop a port-free iPhone, and MagSafe appears to be an alternative to AirPower.

Leaked AirPower Internal Photos

Photos allegedly from the now-discontinued AirPower started surfacing on social networks in August 2020, depicting a multi-coil design that would have been used to charge an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods no matter where they're placed on the mat.

airpower1.jpg

There's also a circuit board laden with chips that would have served as the brains of the device. We don't know if these photos actually depict the ‌AirPower‌ as there's nothing in the design that specifically ties them to Apple, but it can't be ruled out either.

airpower2.jpg

The images are from the AirPower that was discontinued in 2019 rather than a new wireless charger that's in the works, and we've seen several examples of AirPower prototypes in the last few years.

airpower3.jpg


What was AirPower?

AirPower was an Apple-designed charging mat designed to charge Qi-based iPhones, the Apple Watch, and the AirPods, using a specially designed AirPods Wireless Charging Case, which Apple introduced in March 2019.

Apple's AirPower was proprietary and intended to combine at least two different wireless charging methods -- Qi and then the Apple Watch charger, which is inductive and not Qi based.

airpoweriphone8.jpg

It was designed so that you could place an iPhone, AirPods, or Apple Watch on any portion of the mat to have the device charge, which meant multiple overlapping chargers must be included.

The AirPower mat would have been big enough to charge all three devices at one time, with the AirPower itself connected to an external power source, perhaps using a USB-C cable.

In Apple's renderings, AirPower also had a feature that let the iPhone display the wireless charging level of all of the devices on the mat, including the iPhone itself, the Apple Watch, and the AirPods.

The AirPower's Missed Launch

AirPower missed its 2018 launch date, and while Apple was quiet on the reason why, rumors suggested there were serious manufacturing issues and kinks to be worked out.

Apple was forced to delay the AirPower after having trouble dealing with the complex multi-device charging circuitry, software bugs, and the potential for overheating.

Over the course of 2018, Apple was working out kinks including heat management, inter-device communication, and interference issues, and there were times during development where rumors suggested Apple could potentially be planning to nix the AirPower, but there were consistent mentions in 2018 iPhone packaging, and recently an image of the AirPower with an iPhone XS was spotted on Apple's website... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: AirPower: Is Apple's Work on Multi-Device Wireless Charging Solutions Continuing?
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/guide/airpower/
Last edited:
I think in order for the Airpower to be successful, the price point has to be right. When you have all these other wireless chargers that are already on the market, a lot of consumers will purchase something sfor their iPhone only. But the unique factor being with Airpower that you can set a device anywhere to charge, I’m not sure that will sway the consumer to want to purchase if the Airpower is overpriced.
 
  • Like
Reactions: potentmf, Pbrutto, martyjmclean and 1 other person
There are so many third party chargers out there at this point.... will anyone care? I mean, it’s likely to be overpriced and it’s already late to market.. I get the appeal but just don’t understand how this can be labeled as a success.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ISprainedMyUvula
pat500000 said:
Too many charging competitors...although thi has the ability to charge many at once....who cares.
Click to expand...

It’s not just about that this can charge more devices at once, you can also set the device anywhere you want on the Airpower for it to charge versus having a direct contact point like other wireless chargers.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • Like
Reactions: Pbrutto, martyjmclean and mejsric
Pepe4life said:
Based on the pricing of the battery cases released today, it’d be delusional to think that Apple will price the AirPower reasonably.
Click to expand...
True, although the airpods, when they were released, were fairly reasonable, so who knows. Apple's mantra in the last year is to raise prices of everything because we can.
 
0s and 1s said:
...so you’re telling me there’s a chance?!
Click to expand...

.....I think a strong one, because there were two reports that the Airpower started production in China. So it’s very possible we might see a release soon, and it might be random, just like when they released the battery case for the XS today.
[doublepost=1547598440][/doublepost]
Pepe4life said:
Based on the pricing of the battery cases released today, it’d be delusional to think that Apple will price the AirPower reasonably.
Click to expand...

I’m thinking somewhere between $129.00-$150.00. Traditionally, Apples accessories have always been overly priced.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 0s and 1s
Manzzle said:
It will still charge very slowly..
Click to expand...

I think for the majority who are purchasing their power, they don’t care about the charging rate. They simply want to set their device(s) to charge _anywhere_ on the mat to charge, that’s the advantage with the Airpower.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dsburdette
Manzzle said:
It will still charge very slowly.

Your better off getting a fast charger and a long cable so you could use your phone while it’s charging without being glued to the nearest outlet.
Click to expand...

I think you're overstating a little bit.

I use wireless chargers pretty much exclusively and the amount of times that I've thought about needing to bust out a cable to charge faster have been few and far been between.
 
Why would I want to charge my watch laying down? I miss out on nightstand mode.

And I can't charge my $500 metal loop on it.

To spend $200, Apple should have solved all these problems. Maybe instead of a flat pad, an angled pad would be better.
 
What is AirPower? “The non-existant attempt to create a smart wireless charging device that was announced well before its technology was invented, similar to ‘Tesla selling it’s sports car years before it’s tech is even possible.’ Where as we will continue to complain or be in awe of it until the actual product is sold.”

Hehe....
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Classie and pat500000
magicschoolbus said:
There are so many third party chargers out there at this point.... will anyone care? I mean, it’s likely to be overpriced and it’s already late to market.. I get the appeal but just don’t understand how this can be labeled as a success.
Click to expand...

They’re going for the ecosystem psyche play. Many users will buy this who have an iPhone only. Or maybe the watch only. Or maybe the iPhone and watch only. But with specifications designed to show you the charging status of 3 devices...

Eventually you would start to feel like you’re missing out...and need those however many other devices. It’s going to hook people into trying the watch or AirPods would be my guess.
 
  • Like
Reactions: freezah and martyjmclean
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back