iPhone 11 Lineup Said to Include Two-Way Charging Hardware, But Software Disabled

[falainber]

If true with the flick of a software switch the could activate it. I know a lot of people want that ability.

That's very possible. However, if they disabled it because they discovered that it does not work properly (and not because of the software), then this scenario is highly unlikely.
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I wonder if the extra battery life that the phones have was intended to be used for this 2 way charging. Maybe they felt it was better to give people the extra 4 hours of battery life instead of the 2 way charge? Just speculation on my part.

Indeed, there is no "standards" here. As long as the feature does not waste any power when not in use there is only upside in having the feature (there might always be the cases where you don't care about the efficiency).

 

[ThatIrishGuyAgain]

For those thinking this will be enabled in a future software update, don’t get your hopes up. It would’ve been a selling point, and Apple would’ve talked about it on stage.

JAILBREAK TIME!

 

[eulslix]

JAILBREAK TIME!

If this feature was disabled for safety reasons and your battery fires up on a plane... you do realize you will go for a looooong time into jail for doing that?

Not saying that’s the case, just warning ahead.

 

[ThatIrishGuyAgain]

If i ever heard of a valid reason to jailbreak a device, this is it.

 

[bbplayer5]

While I have no use for this, I could see a LOT of people wanting this. Hopefully, when 3.1 is finalized, it will be enabled.

 

[Cosmosent]

That's normal & should NOT be a surprise to anyone.

 

[citysnaps]

Would rather have Apple simply get their R&D butt in gear.

And I want a pony. Some things take time.

Apple's R&D butt is in gear. I'd much rather have Apple turn the feature on when it's ready.

 

[iRutherford]

Any Samsung users out there who could use it, and have actually used it? How efficient is it? If my phone is 100% charged and a friend's phone is on 10%, how much do I lose to get him to 50%?

I'm not sure who made the video—I'm thinking Michael "Mr. Mobile" Fisher—but as far as I know, for every 1% of charge given, you lose 4% from the source device.

 

[magicschoolbus]

Lol.. this I the only "pro" feature and it's disabled.

A camera? Really? Remember when flip phones peaked - the only way to get people to buy new phones was slapping a new camera on them and making them light up different colors.

We have come full circle.

 

[GadgetBen]

You’d only use this feature if your partner nagged at you that they have low battery because they’ve been playing candy crush all day.

Even then I’d be reluctant. I certainly don’t want some strangers grubby little phone near mine!

 

[jmgregory1]

I would venture to guess that this power sharing "feature" is only good for adding small amounts of charge to accessory devices like headphones or a watch, but even if as Samsung is suggesting you can charge another phone with this reverse wireless charging, one thing no one seems to be talking about is the fact that when you're charging other devices, you cannot be using the phone, since it has to be face down on a table / desk.

That doesn't seem as convenient as some people are saying. It feels like this reverse wireless charging is simply an occasional or emergency-use only solution. Someone really needs to figure out near-field wireless charging where you can charge devices sitting next to each other, or even while holding or wearing them.

 

[WatchAndWait]

I've been looking at tests of PowerShare on Samsung phones and the efficiency seems to be in the ballpark of 20%. If that's the case Apple's decision makes sense.

Why you're just under the assumption that Apple will do it better? Perhaps Samsung has nailed it.

 

[jmgregory1]

Lol.. this I the only "pro" feature and it's disabled.

A camera? Really? Remember when flip phones peaked - the only way to get people to buy new phones was slapping a new camera on them and making them light up different colors.

We have come full circle.

Why would you consider reverse wireless charging a "pro" feature? It doesn't even fall within my wants or needs as a business person (professional). It's an occasional / emergency use only "feature" that I am not going to miss in the least.

 

[leman]

Why you're just under the assumption that Apple will do it better? Perhaps Samsung has nailed it.

You have probably misunderstood my post. I don't think that Apple — or anyone — can do it better than Samsung. I also doubt that its an engineering problem per se, I think it's a basic limitation of inductive charging technology we are currently capable of. My point is since Samsung's charging efficiency is quite bad and I don't think that Apple's efficiency is any better, so I understand if that's the reason they decided to can it.

 

[TheSapient]

Galaxy S10+ user here. I've used reverse wireless charging a couple times to give my ear buds a boost. I would not choose a phone based on this feature. My day would not have been ruined if I did not have access to it. But it was a nice bonus.

There are a lot of phone features like that. I don't use slow motion more than a couple times per year, but I like that I can. I doubt I've needed to scan more than 2 QR codes this year, but I'm glad I could. Heck, I don't think I've ever used the flash on this particular phone's camera. Again, I'm happy to have the option.

I don't really buy the idea that Apple disabled their system based on efficiency. Customers are smart enough to know when it is worth it to them to trade away a bunch of their phone's charge.

 

[Cmd-Z]

I use a magnetic mount, so I have a metal plate on the back of my iPhone. This prevents wireless charging, and I'm perfectly fine with that. I'm curious though, if bi-lateral charging becomes active will the metal plate drain my battery? Hopefully this feature, if enabled, can be disabled.

 

[TheSapient]

I use a magnetic mount, so I have a metal plate on the back of my iPhone. This prevents wireless charging, and I'm perfectly fine with that. I'm curious though, if bi-lateral charging becomes active will the metal plate drain my battery? Hopefully this feature, if enabled, can be disabled.

No. Wireless charging is initiated with communication between the charger and the device.

 

[DblHelix]

People really are clamoring for this feature? This is nothing to get worked up about Lol.

How often would you pop your AirPods on your phone to charge?

For me probably more than you think. I work from home so don't use my airpods as much as I used to. When I was commuting I would charge every Friday after work. I could see going out and not realizing they are dead and close to it and topping them up for example on a business trip when I get to the airport and realize I have 30 mins left for a 4 hour flight.

 

[Johntotah94]

Couldn’t get it to work on my friends new Samsung. Kept cutting in and out.

 

[gavroche]

Any laptop with USB has charging capabilities.

I don't think that's the reason for the ban. It's because some older Macbook models were recalled due to risk of an unstable battery.

From a flight safety standpoint, there is a big difference between charging something with a USB cable and wirelessly. Wireless charging generates a lot more heat. Naturally, generating heat will be concerning to anything in a flight. And lithium batteries are already required to be in carryon bags... so even without charging and heat generation there is already a concern. One could argue that having wireless charging could categorize something as a power bank. Power banks are subject to more stringent restrictions, which vary by location. In the US or EU, may not be an issue currently... but could change if any incidents arise.. and could result in restrictions in other areas even now.

 

[H818H]

Rumors are rumors until Apple official announces it or makes note of it. Teardowns will tell us if the hardware is there for sure. Until either happens, I’d take this with a grain of salt.

Why take it with a grain of salt? It's clear from the reporting that it's a rumour, but a well sourced one.

Given the sequence of events leading up to the launch and other rumours regarding two-way charging, this report seems entirely plausable.

 

[dumastudetto]

We already know phone batteries have limited charge cycles before they start deteriorating rapidly. Why people want to burn through those cycles quicker to conveniently charge accessories or another phone is beyond me. The AirPods already have a case that handles the charging. The Watch probably wouldn't work unless Apple was able to support both Qi and the proprietary Apple Watch charging standard. I get it there may be *some* situations where you could want to help a friend out, but at 20% efficiency it is a hell of a high price to pay to share some juice.

 

[whoknows2597]

Why take it with a grain of salt? It's clear from the reporting that it's a rumour, but a well sourced one.

Given the sequence of events leading up to the launch and other rumours regarding two-way charging, this report seems entirely plausable.

I don’t want to sound cynical, but even Kuo released several reports that AirPower was a coming out soon, then had a final report that it has entered production. A few days later, Apple released a statement saying that they had canceled AirPower completely. Kuo is KNOWN for being accurate, yet this kind of fumble is what’s wrong with the rumor mills.

 

[tgwaste]

People really are clamoring for this feature? This is nothing to get worked up about Lol.

How often would you pop your AirPods on your phone to charge?

Its not just about the airpods its about me never needing a charging puck for my apple watch again. I can charge both things with one cable plugged into the phone. I was REALLY hoping for this feature.

 

[magicschoolbus]

Why would you consider reverse wireless charging a "pro" feature? It doesn't even fall within my wants or needs as a business person (professional). It's an occasional / emergency use only "feature" that I am not going to miss in the least.

So what new feature does this iPhone have that as a "business person (professional)"(wow!) offer you that the previous version did not? A new camera? lol..