Some 7.5W Wireless Fast Chargers Limited to 5W as of iOS 13.1

[MacRumors]

ChargerLAB has tested wireless charging speeds on iPhone 11 models running iOS 13.1 and found that multiple wireless charging pads that were able to charge the new iPhones at 7.5W on iOS 13 are now limited to 5W.

Unsurprisingly, the decreased power lengthens charging times, as visualized in ChargerLAB's graph below:

The report claims that exceptions include various wireless charging pads from Belkin, Mophie, Native Union, Anker, and Logitech sold by Apple Stores, leading ChargerLAB to speculate that Apple may be limiting 7.5W wireless charging to pads using fixed-frequency voltage regulation as of iOS 13.1.

Apple refers to fixed-frequency 7.5W charging as "Apple Fast Charging" in some product listings on its website, but the technology was incorporated into the Qi standard last year, so it is no longer proprietary and seemingly should not require certification under Apple's MFi Program to incorporate.

We've reached out to Apple for comment and will update this story if we receive any new information.

Article Link: Some 7.5W Wireless Fast Chargers Limited to 5W as of iOS 13.1

 

[kadinh]

Could that be due to the "optimize battery" setting?

 

[macfacts]

So apple is forcing people to buy authorized apple chargers to get fast charging?

 

[gr8hii]

chargegate?

 

[Bangarang143]

Either way - slow AF. If I want to charge fast, I plug into a real charger. Wireless charging, for me, is more for convenience when charging overnight or sitting on my desk at work. Don't really care if it's slow

 

[alexandr]

so is this problem limited to this year's models, or are we all screwed?

 

[dannyyankou]

They have the nerve to call 7.5w as “Apple Fast Charging” when there are android phones that wirelessly charge at 10W, lol

 

[topgunn]

Too much heat for me. I'll stick to cables.

 

[yoheywut]

Huh, I just happened to test my i11 Pro last night on my wireless charger last night using this wattage app and it was indeed below 5W. This is an iOttie charger that can do 5,7.5, and 10 W, and did fast charge my iPhone XS on iOS 12. Now I know why.

 

[kadinh]

Either way - slow AF. If I want to charge fast, I plug into a real charger. Wireless charging, for me, is more for convenience when charging overnight or sitting on my desk at work. Don't really care if it's slow

Exactly the same with me. If I want a faster charge, I will use a USB-C PD charger with a USB-C to Lightning cable.

 

[alexandr]

So apple is forcing people to buy authorized apple chargers to get fast charging?

they should disable wireless charging on non-authorized chargers altogether)

 

[djlythium]

chargegate?

Argh! You got here before I could.

Good one!

 

[LimeiBook86]

I wonder if this is also true for older iPhone models like the 8 and X? 🤔

 

[zubikov]

Apple's lack of clarity on wireless charging is appalling.

They have an extremely useful, practical feature that employs an open standard. A potential to make tonnes of $$ selling accessories. And yet they refuse to elaborate on the charging wattage in any of iPhone tech specs or marketing. Most people don't have a clue that there's 5W, 7.5W and an incompatible 10W. The whole thing has been fumbled.

 

[JosephAW]

I can see slowing it down when it gets hot but as soon as it cools down it should pick back up. Either that or use a pulse charging method.

You'd think that Apple would pass a heatsink onto the back of the metal Apple logo and then external cases can tap onto that and distribute the heat into the case.

 

[alexandr]

Huh, I just happened to test my i11 Pro last night on my wireless charger last night using this wattage app and it was indeed below 5W. This is an iOttie charger that can do 5,7.5, and 10 W, and did fast charge my iPhone XS on iOS 12. Now I know why.

sorry, which app did you use?

 

[mattster16]

Too much heat for me. I'll stick to cables.

Not only that, but just REALLY inefficient in general. It is just wasteful. I know we're only talking about very small amounts of energy here, but it still adds up.
[automerge]1569512150[/automerge]

You'd think that Apple would pass a heatsink onto the back of the metal Apple logo and then external cases can tap onto that and distribute the heat into the case.

Yeah that totally sounds like something Apple would do...

 

[axantas]

Maybe it is wise, not to charge it too quick with these wireless chargers because of heat?

 

[fmcshan]

I have the mophie 7.5W wireless charger and haven’t noticed a significant change in charging time for my iPhone after upgrading to iOS 13.1

 

[zorinlynx]

Apple's lack of clarity on wireless charging is appalling.

They have an extremely useful, practical feature that employs an open standard. A potential to make tonnes of $$ selling accessories. And yet they refuse to elaborate on the charging wattage in any of iPhone tech specs or marketing. Most people don't have a clue that there's 5W, 7.5W and an incompatible 10W. The whole thing has been fumbled.

They were going to release their own charging mat, and for whatever reason weren't able to, and this was embarrassing for them. That's likely the reason they're being quiet about wireless charging.

Also, the simple truth is that wireless charging is inefficient and causes devices to get warm. This is not good for batteries. If you want to charge your device quickly, use a cable, it'll be faster AND better for your battery.

 

[Rocko99991]

If you want to charge your device quickly, use a cable, it'll be faster AND better for your battery.

Phones still get warm using this method.

 

[Baymowe335]

they should disable wireless charging on non-authorized chargers altogether)

Agreed...these cheap chargers could damage the battery and create too much heat.

 

[alexandr]

Agreed...these cheap chargers could damage the battery and create too much heat.

i was actually kidding) i have a cheap charger and i'm perfectly happy with it.

 

[CrysisDeu]

They have the nerve to call 7.5w as “Apple Fast Charging” when there are android phones that wirelessly charge at 10W, lol

No, 30 watts wireless

 

[Baymowe335]

i was actually kidding) i have a cheap charger and i'm perfectly happy with it.

I think there is an element of truth to it. There has to be some standard for them to charge correctly. Maybe the one you use is fine, but there is a lot of garbage.