Apple has been rumored to be working on implementing reverse wireless charging for some time. In fact, Apple has added some necessary components to enable reverse wireless charging since the iPhone 12 (think MagSafe Battery Pack). Reports actually suggested that Apple would add it to the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro devices, but it didn’t meet the deadline.
According to the latest development, reverse wireless charging, also known as bilateral wireless charging, is something that engineers at Apple continue to work on. It has also been suggested that Apple’s version could be more advanced than what Android competitors offer. Maybe it’s just delayed and maybe it will debut with the iPhone 15. Or maybe it can go the AirPower route and just be discontinued.
At this point I’m just wondering: does reverse or bilateral wireless charging really make that much of a difference? I’m not sure he will.
What is reverse wireless charging?
Digital trends
Reverse wireless charging (or bilateral wireless charging) is a feature you can find in many of the best Android phones, such as the new Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. With reverse wireless charging, you can use your smartphone’s battery to charge another device, such as a smartwatch, wireless headphones, or even another smartphone.
While it’s cool and convenient when you’re in a pinch, it’s important to keep in mind that the charging speed with bilateral wireless charging won’t be super fast. Samsung’s Wireless PowerShare charges at 4.5 watts, which is very slow. Regular Qi-compatible wireless charging on iPhones is 7.5W, so bilateral wireless charging is even slower than that. It can be useful if you just need to top up your wireless headphones or something small, but a completely different phone? Forget it.
How could Apple do that
Andrew Martonik/Digital Trends
Rumors of reverse wireless charging for the iPhone have been around for the past few years, ever since the iPhone 11. When Apple added MagSafe with the iPhone 12, there were some hints that bilateral wireless charging could be done with the iPhone.
The MagSafe Battery Pack from Apple is the key here. With a MagSafe battery attached to your iPhone 12 while the iPhone is plugged into power, the battery would charge from the iPhone — although it would be slower than plugging in the battery. The concept is basically the same as reverse wireless charging, with a few requirements, like plugging in the iPhone. However, Apple never actually calls it that.
Despite Android competitors having reverse wireless charging, Apple seems to have something bigger in mind, as reports suggest it’s working on advanced bilateral wireless charging. That would include the “wireless power” firmware that serves as the basis of the feature, according to 9to5Mac. A key element to reverse charging is managing charging speeds for the iPhone and the device being charged, as well as other factors such as heat dissipation and charging efficiency.
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
And similar to MagSafe, Apple would also be developing a dedicated user interface for reverse wireless charging, complete with on-screen animations and sounds to indicate that reverse wireless charging is in progress. However, it’s unclear how this would actually work, given that you typically have the device face down on a surface to start charging (unless it’s equipped with MagSafe, like the AirPods charging case).
Due to the inconvenient nature of wireless charging, the feature may be delayed again or discontinued entirely. This has already happened with AirPower, Apple’s concept for a wireless charging pad that could charge an iPhone no matter where it was. AirPower was originally announced in 2017, but was ultimately canceled in 2019 due to development complications and ultimately not meeting Apple’s expectations.
Okay…but is it really a big deal?
Simon Cohen / Digital trends / Digital trends
When rumors started that Apple might put this feature on the iPhone, I was excited. But it dragged on and at this point I’m just wondering if it will be worth the wait. Personally, I don’t think I care anymore.
Of course, Android devices have had this feature for a while now, and it’s great. Just put your phone down and place the wireless charging case on top and it will start charging. But then you can’t use your phone anymore, and charging speeds are even slower than Qi-wireless charging on the iPhone!
Of course, since Apple is working on some kind of breakthrough in bilateral wireless charging technology, it could do things differently than the competition (Qi2 wireless charging will use Apple’s MagSafe-like technology, bringing MagSafe to Android).
Since Apple has MagSafe on the iPhone, its version of reverse wireless charging could implement MagSafe, which would be great for charging AirPods and AirPods Pro. And since it would be MagSafe, you can still use your iPhone while doing it. But imagine the unwieldy bulk on the back of the phone? I think it would be pretty hard to hold your device comfortably with the AirPods charging case stuck on the back.
Christine Romero-Chan/Digital Trends
I’m also the type of person who always carries a battery with me everywhere in my purse, especially if I plan to be somewhere all day, like Disneyland. With that in mind, I think it would be easier to just keep a small battery with you instead of relying on your smartphone to have reverse wireless charging. After all, the battery would charge faster and allow you to continue using your iPhone normally.
I also sometimes worry about my iPhone’s battery life, especially after the recent iOS 16 updates that seem to affect battery life (this always happens with every iOS release). I don’t think I really want to divert my iPhone’s power to charge something else when sometimes I can barely get by on one charge a day.
This is one iPhone 15 feature I don’t need
Adam Doud/Digital Trends
Of course, reverse wireless charging on the iPhone can be useful if you have nothing else, but how often will you find yourself in such a situation? Instead, I’d always recommend a separate battery, especially MagSafe because you don’t even have to deal with cables. Also, how am I supposed to use my phone with a bulky headphone case attached to the back of it or face down on a table?
I’m just not sure if the iPhone 15 or other future iPhones will get reverse wireless charging, assuming Apple continues to delay. Yes, it can be useful in emergency situations where you need to charge something else, but it’s best not to end up in those scenarios to begin with!
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Source: newstars.edu.vn