Next Apple Watch transitioning to qi wireless?

[ian87w]

With MagSafe out, and qi being the standard that iPhones use, do you think Apple will ditch the current AW and redesign it to accommodate qi wireless charging?

Apple didn't have reservation to drop a 1st gen product in lieu of a much better newer gen. Example is the Apple Pencil. It basically get dropped into obsolescence, with only the cheapest iPads supporting it (and the mini). Everything else is migrating to Apple Pencil 2. I wonder if Apple would do the same for the next gen Apple Watch, allowing them to unify the wireless charging methods around MagSafe branding.

 

[Bazooka-joe]

I was thinking the same last night. Apple will want to try and standardise on wireless charging so i think we may see a design change for the Series 7 and adopt qi charging. Especially as Apple may go port less with the phones next year. Magsafe chargers may well be shipped with next years phones and watches and that way they hike the price up to cover the magsafe chargers and can sell even more 20w usb power bricks as accessories. I also think that the next generation of airpods will also be wireless charging only especially as they can be charged using magsafe.

 

[Craiguyver]

Doesn't it use a modified version of the regular Qi standard for its charging now and is just hardware- and/or software-disabled from using anything other than the official Apple Watch charging puck?

I'm assuming Apple is using the same hardware- and/or software- with the MagSafe charging puck to enable the 15W charging...

 

[The Game 161]

Can but hope as it would solve a lot of issues with wireless charging but doubt it happens.

 

[ShadowGuardian87]

It's already rumored the Series 7 watch will come with a redesign (probably to better suit wireless charging).

 

[Alvi]

Magsafe chargers may well be shipped with next years phones

I highly doubt we'll see any more chargers shipping with anything besides computers, they'd totally be contradicting themselves and you only need to buy a charger once and maybe upgrade it every now and then if there's a compelling feature.

I've had the same Qi charger for my phone for years, it's a slow charger but I don't care since I only charge overnight, there's no need for manufacturers to put into this world hundreds of millions of new chargers while people still have old ones that work well (especially in the case of wireless ones that don't get as much damage as cables).

 

[mailman199]

Disappointing the new MagSafe doesn't charge the watch too.