Faster mobile phone charging — wirelessly

The latest in Qi specification technology that makes it possible to charge mobile phones wirelessly has been announced by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC).

The updated version of the Qi specification now delivers 15 watts of power to mobile phones that support wireless fast charging, decreasing the time required to wirelessly charge devices.

Several manufacturers already offer wired fast charging for their devices, providing as much as 60% charge in as little as 30 minutes, but the latest Qi specification extends this speed to wireless charging as well.

“With a deployed base of well over 50 million units, hundreds of registered products and users all around the world, we understand the importance of a specification that supports innovation,” said Menno Treffers, chairman of the WPC.

“This release marks an important milestone for Qi, introducing the first higher power class and paving the way for our members to address more demanding applications with products that work seamlessly with the installed base of Qi-compatible products.”

In addition to the new Qi specification, the WPC also approved the test procedures and tools needed to verify that fast charging products are compliant with the new Qi specification, as well as being backward compatible with all existing Qi products.

The new specification is initially available only for members of the Wireless Power Consortium. It will be made available as a public document at a later date.