Qi2 is the biggest upgrade to mainstream wireless charging in a decade. Built by the Wireless Power Consortium with input from major phone makers, it blends the alignment magnets popularized by MagSafe with an open, universal standard. The result promises better efficiency, cooler batteries, and a snap-on accessory ecosystem that finally spans iPhone and Android.
- What is Qi2 and how is it different?
- Why magnets matter: efficiency, heat, and battery health
- Speeds today and what Qi2.2 unlocks
- Device compatibility: who supports Qi2?
- Is Qi2 compatible with MagSafe accessories?
- Security, safety, and certification
- Buying advice: what to look for in a Qi2 charger
- The bottom line
What is Qi2 and how is it different?
Qi2 is the successor to the original Qi standard used by most phones and accessories. It introduces two key profiles: the Magnetic Power Profile (MPP) and the Baseline Power Profile (BPP). MPP adds a ring of magnets around the charging coil for precise alignment, while BPP is the traditional, non-magnetic option.
Here’s the catch: devices can be Qi2-certified without magnets if they only implement BPP. You’ll still see a Qi2 badge, but you won’t get the alignment advantages—or the cooler, more stable charge—that MPP brings.
Why magnets matter: efficiency, heat, and battery health
Wireless charging works through electromagnetic induction: a charger’s copper coil generates a magnetic field that induces current in a matching coil inside the phone. If those coils are even slightly misaligned—off by a few millimeters—efficiency drops sharply.
With MPP magnets snapping everything into place, energy transfer is more consistent. Less power is wasted as heat, so phones stay cooler. That’s not just comfort; heat is a leading factor in lithium-ion degradation. Independent teardowns and lab tests routinely show better long-term battery health when charge temperatures are kept in check, and Qi2’s alignment is designed to do exactly that.
Speeds today and what Qi2.2 unlocks
The initial Qi2 target is 15W—equivalent to the best officially certified Qi chargers of recent years, but more stable in real-world use thanks to alignment. The next step, referenced as Qi2.2 by industry watchers and accessory makers, raises the ceiling further. In practice, we’re already seeing devices draw up to 25W from compatible Qi2.2 chargers, when both phone and pad support the newer profile.
Expect more headroom over time. The WPC tends to roll out higher-power modes after validating safety, thermal limits, and interoperability, similar to how wired USB Power Delivery incrementally scaled.
Device compatibility: who supports Qi2?
The first phones to ship with full Qi2 support were from Apple’s iPhone 15 lineup, leveraging the same magnetic geometry used for MagSafe. On the Android side, Google’s Pixel 10 family moved to built-in magnets across the board, with the Pixel 10 Pro XL able to pull 25W from Qi2.2-capable pads.
Not every “Qi2” product includes magnets, though. Samsung’s Galaxy Ring, for example, touts Qi2 compatibility but uses only the Baseline Power Profile, offering no alignment benefits. For Galaxy S25 owners, several case makers now offer magnet-ready cases that align perfectly with chargers. That adds convenience, though it doesn’t magically unlock higher wattage unless the phone itself supports the faster Qi2 power mode.
On the accessory front, major brands such as Belkin, Anker, and Mophie have rolled out Qi2 chargers and docks. With the WPC reporting nearly 400 member companies, broader support is expected as device roadmaps catch up to the finalized spec.
Is Qi2 compatible with MagSafe accessories?
Qi2’s magnetic geometry was co-developed with input from Apple, and the standard aims for cross-compatibility. In demos, existing MagSafe iPhones charged reliably on early Qi2 hardware, and vice versa. That’s good news for the accessory market: stands, wallets, power banks, and car mounts designed around a standard ring of magnets should work across platforms, provided both sides adhere to the spec.
Security, safety, and certification
Qi2 introduces mandatory authentication, a cryptographic handshake between charger and device. This helps block poorly built, non-compliant pads from pushing unsafe power levels, a problem that surfaced as bargain-bin wireless chargers flooded marketplaces. Certification labs working with the WPC validate thermal behavior, foreign object detection, and interoperability before a product gets the Qi2 logo.
For consumers, that means fewer “it charges, but slowly” headaches and better protection against overheating metal objects like keys or coins left near the pad.
Buying advice: what to look for in a Qi2 charger
Check for the Qi2 logo and, if you want magnetic alignment, explicit mention of the Magnetic Power Profile. If your phone supports higher-power Qi2.2 charging, confirm the pad or stand does too—some early Qi2 products cap out at 15W.
Prioritize reputable brands that publish specs and thermal safeguards, and pair your charger with an adequate USB-C power adapter. A 30W brick is a safe bet for most single-device Qi2 stands; multi-device docks may need more.
The bottom line
Qi2 is the wireless charging upgrade users actually feel: easier alignment, steadier speeds, cooler batteries, and a shared magnet ecosystem that spans iPhone and Android. While not every “Qi2” label guarantees magnets or faster wattage, the standard sets the stage for a more reliable, safer, and genuinely universal charging experience.