Wireless Charging Accessory Might Not Ship Until After New 2017 iPhones Launch

[MacRumors]

Apple's upcoming 2017 iPhone lineup is expected to include an inductive wireless charging feature enabled through a standalone charging accessory, and new information shared by Apple blogger John Gruber suggests the accessory might not ship alongside the iPhones in September.

In a tweet shared this evening, Gruber says he's heard that the inductive charging accessory will be sold separately rather than included with the iPhones, a rumor we've heard previously, and that it might be shipped later in the year alongside an iOS 11.1 update.

I've heard that inductive charging will (a) be sold separately, and (b) might be late, waiting for iOS 11.1 (a la Portrait mode last year). https://t.co/N65dHMNQIJ - John Gruber (@gruber) July 8, 2017

Gruber's wording says the charging accessory "might" be late, so the delay is not confirmed, and it is not yet clear why Apple would hold off on shipping the rumored standalone charger.

Early rumors about the OLED "iPhone 8" and its two companion devices, the "iPhone 7s" and the "iPhone 7s Plus," suggested Apple was considering a long-range charging feature, but that technology is still new and there are likely many hurdles to overcome before it's ready for inclusion in a device like the iPhone.

Instead, Apple is rumored to be introducing Apple Watch-style inductive charging, enabled through a standalone charging accessory.

An example of a Qi wireless charging solution​

In a research note published earlier this week, trusted KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the three iPhones coming in 2017 will adopt glass bodies to facilitate WPC-standard wireless charging functionality. WPC-standard refers to the Wireless Power Consortium (Apple is a member), which supports the Qi wireless charging functionality built into many Android devices.

If Apple's upcoming iPhones do indeed support a universal inductive charging technology like Qi, the devices could potentially work with a range of already-available charging solutions once the wireless charging feature is enabled. Apple's exact plans for its inductive wireless charging solution remain unclear, however, and it could be limited to Apple-designed accessories.

Article Link: Wireless Charging Accessory Might Not Ship Until After New 2017 iPhones Launch

 

[SteveJobs2.0]

What exactly is there to delay the release? This technology has been around for years.

 

[Mlrollin91]

What exactly is there to delay the release? This technology has been around for years.

Delay the product, so the cost of the charger and cost of iPhone don't stack and seems less painful. Therefore, more people buy? lol

I bet it will be $99, look at the cost of the Apple Watch dock.

 

[Ds6778]

Tim can't launch anything properly.

 

[Mlrollin91]

Tim can't launch anything properly.

Well, in all fairness, remember white iPhone 4?

 

[spiritbox]

I like the idea of wireless charging on the iPhone, but don't see a huge difference in placing on a charging dock vs plugging in a charger. Either way you're still relying on a cable and have to keep your iPhone in one place. I wouldn't pay much extra for this feature.

 

[sk1wbw]

Well how are we supposed to charge our iPhones then, Tim???? lol

 

[Sunny1990]

Apple was considering a long-range charging feature, but that technology is still new and there are likely many hurdles to overcome before it'sready for inclusion in a device like the iPhone :- Macrumors Quote
------------
If it's not long range I don't really see a point in the wireless charging :-(

 

[nikicampos]

What exactly is there to delay the release? This technology has been around for years.

If it were for MacRumors rumors, everything points that the next iPhone would be a total disaster, I guess this is what sells "clicks", but don't worry, just like every year Apple delivers and this year won't be the exception.

 

[bbydon]

This is not wireless charging, it is inductive charging and it still has wires. Stop calling it wireless.

 

[scrapesleon]

if there is no touch id in the display of this iPhone why would I even consider that wireless charger

 

[typographer]

Tim, you make another good marketing strategy again! People will be thirsty for the juice...

 

[SoApple]

I hope its not a charging mat...

 

[Juicy Box]

Apple's exact plans for its inductive wireless charging solution remain unclear, however, and it could be limited to Apple-designed accessories.

With inductive charging, it still requires the devices to be placed on a charging pad, correct?

I'd rather just have it plugged in, at least you could still pick up the phone while it is charging.

 

[dilbert99]

I like the idea of wireless charging on the iPhone, but don't see a huge difference in placing on a charging dock vs plugging in a charger. Either way you're still relying on a cable and have to keep your iPhone in one place. I wouldn't pay much extra for this feature.

Think of it along the lines of quick release. Why have quick release wheels on a bike, I don't see the point when i can easily use a spanner. I know the example takes it to the extreme, but I want to be able to lay my phone down where ever and have it charge without putting a cable in every time.
My no 1 use is putting the phone in a cradle in the car, I don't want to have to plug it in, I want the cradle to be the charger.

 

[PortableLover]

Hopefully we get TRUE wireless charging. The inductive style is pointless imo.

 

[Sedulous]

Inductive charging... yuck. Slow, requires specific positioning, and requires special dock? No thanks.

 

[Cloudkicker]

If that's wireless, then my common Panasonic cordless phone & any cordless phone, even from the '80s, is wireless. Not much different here & using prong contacts to charge the talking device. It doesn't require a plug in cable from talking device (cordless phone/cellular phone) to base; save for the AC adapter.

Like "Hoverboards" are nothing like Back To The Future, but mere Segways w/ the little stick broken off. Oh, the allowance of creative license.

 

[PortableLover]

If apple provided true wireless tech it would be innovative

 

[guspasho]

At least they were smart enough to not remove the charging port this time. I still can't find a pair of AirPods in stores anywhere.

 

[citysnaps]

Don't need, want, or care to pay for an inductive charger.

Glad that's a separate purchase.

 

[Starfyre]

If it costs anywhere near Apple AirPods, forget it.

 

[mi7chy]

I like the idea of wireless charging on the iPhone, but don't see a huge difference in placing on a charging dock vs plugging in a charger. Either way you're still relying on a cable and have to keep your iPhone in one place. I wouldn't pay much extra for this feature.

From that logic LTE isn't wireless either since the cell tower has a wired fiber backhaul.

 

[guspasho]

What exactly is there to delay the release? This technology has been around for years.

Supply/production chain, which is supposed to be Tim's specialty.

 

[Ds6778]

From that logic LTE isn't wireless either since the cell tower has a wired fiber backhaul.

I don't have to do anything special to connect to LTE.....