Excellent news. Looking forward for getting the iOS 11.2. After it is released, then time to get the wireless chargers.
Starting with iOS 11.2, the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X are able to charge at 7.5 watts using compatible Qi-based wireless charging accessories.
Currently, on iOS 11.1.1, the three devices charge at 5 watts using Qi wireless chargers, but Apple promised that faster speeds would become available in a future update. It appears that update is iOS 11.2.
MacRumors received a tip about the new feature from accessory maker RAVpower this evening, and tested the new charging speeds to confirm. Using the Belkin charger that Apple sells, which does support 7.5W charging speeds, the iPhone X was charged from 46 to 66 percent over the course of thirty minutes.
The same iPhone charged from 46 percent to 60 percent over 30 minutes when using a wireless charging accessory that does not offer 7.5W charging speeds. Our testing was intended to emulate real world conditions, with a case on and Airplane Mode not activated.
With support for 7.5W charging speeds, the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and iPhone X will be able to charge more quickly over a wireless connection, and it appears 7.5W wireless charging speeds are faster than the speeds you get with the standard wired 5W power adapter.
At 7.5 watts, Apple's wireless iPhones do not support the same wireless charging speeds that are available on some other Qi-based smartphones, as the current Qi 1.2 standard allows for up to 15W of wireless charging power. Still, 7.5 watts is better than 5 watts and should offer some noticeable improvements for iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X owners.
Both the Mophie Wireless Charging Base and the Belkin Boost Up Wireless Charging Pad that are available from Apple support the faster 7.5W wireless charging speeds.
Several other Qi-based wireless charging accessories from other third-party manufacturers also support the higher speeds, such as the RAVpower Fast Wireless Charger, but there are accessories out there that don't, so you'll want to look for 7.5W charging speeds as a listed feature when making a purchase.
iOS 11.2 is limited to developers and public beta testers at this time, but as we're on the third beta, a public release could come in a few weeks to a month.
Article Link: iOS 11.2 Supports Faster 7.5W Charging on iPhone 8, 8 Plus and X From Qi-Based Wireless Charging Accessories
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iOS 11.2 Supports Faster 7.5W Charging on iPhone 8, 8 Plus and X From Qi-Based Wireless Charging Accessories
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AND how soon until people start having their cases melting, and iPhones bulging and cracking open because of the increased heat?
Hopefully we will start to see better looking Qi charging stands hitting the market, be it from Apple or other brands. Most of the existing stands I've seen are just so bad looking (and yes I've gone through pages of stands on Amazon).
The charging pads are not a great solution for iPhone X use, at least not for desk-top use, given the challenge of getting FaceID to work when you're not hunched over the puck. I can see the flat charger disks working fine for bedside table use, but even there I think a nice, simple looking, stand is functionally better as you can touch the screen and actually see the time or notifications. Stands also, if designed correctly, eliminate the issue of phones crawling off the pucks when buzz notifications create subtle movements.
The charging pads are not a great solution for iPhone X use, at least not for desk-top use, given the challenge of getting FaceID to work when you're not hunched over the puck. I can see the flat charger disks working fine for bedside table use, but even there I think a nice, simple looking, stand is functionally better as you can touch the screen and actually see the time or notifications. Stands also, if designed correctly, eliminate the issue of phones crawling off the pucks when buzz notifications create subtle movements.
AND how soon until people start having their cases melting, and iPhones bulging and cracking open because of the increased heat?
I love my wireless charging, but I've never been bothered by 5W charging since I charge overnight. I've always had great battery life even at the 2+ year mark on my phones, would hate for this to reduce my battery capacity long term by like 50%.
The RAVPower Fast wireless charger comes with a QC 3.0 Adapter. They specifically state on their website they will work with 7.5W charging with the correct iOS update, but there have been conflicting reports that only Apple Certified chargers will be able to leverage it. Hopefully it just isn't implemented in the public beta 3 code.
I think that what matters for charging capability is the output. According to Samsung itself, the Convertible Wireless Charger has 9W of output. http://www.samsung.com/latin_en/support/model/EP-PG950BBEGWW/
Neowin review of this charger says that "The power specifications are compliant with Quick Charge 2.0, that being 9V and 1.67A.". https://www.neowin.net/news/review-the-best-of-both-worlds-samsungs-new-convertible-wireless-charger
Indeed, those are the input values for fast wireless charging.
Now I'm confused. I thought the input value would be how much energy the wireless charger draws from the power outlet and output value would be how much energy the charger delivers to the device.
I totally agree, wireless charging is something that Apple should have done back with the 4 or 5 series. Back when they claimed to 'innovate'.
I charge at night, and wireless charging makes for less drama as I reach for the cord, and pull the wrong one in the dark. It's like GENIUS! Now, I just have to keep it from slipping off the pad.
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So are you saying that Apple has too many chargers?
And it restricts using the device while charging even more than conventional charging.
yes and no. It can charge through a few mm. So a normal tabletop wouldn't work, but you could carve out some of the wood and just leave a thin layer on top, and mount the charger under that and it should work
Simple, you lay the phone down and go to sleep. Wake up and phone is charged. It's convenient if you put the charging mats somewhere you often lay down the phone. No more wearing out cables bending them and plugging them in every time. No wear on the mechanical connector to the phone. Adds more to a iPhone than face id by far.
I have the 29 watt USB-C charger with a lightning cable. I plan to charge my iPhone X overnight using this and I'll get a Qi-based wireless charger for use at work, just to top off when I'm at my desk. My iPhone 7 Plus has been in a Trianium battery case since I got it. I charge overnight and it is good all day no matter how much usage. I'd rather not have to resort to dimming screen and turning off services.
The PiCharger (Coming 2018) will allow you to charge up to 4 devices at full power within a 1 foot radius of the base station, using the Qi standard included in the new iPhones (no special cases will be needed). They have a patent for shaping the magnetic field of the charging where no contact with a matt is needed. True wireless charging is coming soon. They are going direct to consumer first and then will be doing partnerships to place their technology in 3rd party applications including Auto.
For now it is convenient for "top offs" I don't think people plug in their phones every time they put it down on their desk, but its pretty easy to place it down on the wireless charging base at my desk.
same story for work for myself, but why would you need fast charge for overnight charing? -- just curious on how you are thinking about this. I have the USB-C chargers from the Macbook, and wondering if it is worth buying the usb-c cable (it bugs me that I have over 10 regular usb - lightning everywhere and I dont want to start switching them).
The only scenario in my mind is when you need power fast as you are running out of time.
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yeah thats what I thought. I wonder if I carve my desk at work, if anyone would notice
Is 46% to 60% vs. 46% to 66% really that big of a jump? I get through the day and put my phone on my $12 Anker Qi charger and it's at 100% in the morning. I guess what would be more real world for me is to see something like how long it takes to go from 5% battery to 50% using a 5 watt vs. a 7.5 watt charger. Maybe I'm misreading but a 6% difference doesn't seem that groundbreaking to me.
Bring in the Anker USB-PD charger too. It's a helluva deal compared to Apple's MBP bricks.
I hope my Samsung charger will charge at 7.5 (it can charge up to 15W), but if not, it's not a big deal. I mostly use it for casual charging, if you will. If I need a large boost of battery in a short time period, I keep my iPad charger and lightning cable nearby. I might look into the USB-C charger at some point in the near future.
It does? You can't use it as a speakerphone while charging? Did not know that. Sad...
But not THAT much faster than using the iPad charger with USB-A. For me, the price difference is not worth the gain in speed of charging.
I have no interest in wireless charging unless it's 15W.
why is it that others can do 15W and Apple is still stuck at dead-slow speeds of 5w / 7.5w?
why is it that others can do 15W and Apple is still stuck at dead-slow speeds of 5w / 7.5w?
The Air Power mat is not shipping until next year and it will charge the AirPods Apple Watch and iPhone. That will be much better than the regular QI chargers IMO.
Yup that’s pretty much exactly what I said a few posts up. I doubt an awful lot of people would be willing to pat between £56-100 for the sake of 20-30 minuets of time.
I wouldn’t if I’m honest, I have a spare 29W and a spare 87W, but if I didn’t I wouldn’t buy them just for the iPhone. Although the 29W (and/or the 87W) are really good for the 12.9” iPad Pro.
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So they have another “upgrade” to add to next years model. This is Apple after all, it’s what they do.