Apple's upcoming iPhone update, iOS 17.2, is nearly here. The company seeded testers the "release candidate" (RC) on Tuesday, which means they're getting ready to send the update to all compatible iPhones. But one new change in Apple's release notes caught the tech world's attention: Many iPhones will now support Qi2 wireless charging.

What is Qi2 charging?

The big hype around the new Qi2 standard is in its magnets. The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) developed Qi2 to attach magnetically to Qi2-compatible devices similar to how Apple's MagSafe chargers work. When you buy a Qi2 charger with a Qi2 smartphone, it will precisely attach itself magnetically to the back of the device thanks to a new feature called Magnetic Power Profile (MPP). This both ensures a consistent charge, and allows you to use your phone without worrying about the charger falling off.

Initially, Qi2 will be limited to the same 15W standard that you get with MagSafe, but the WPC has ensured future versions of Qi2 will be more powerful. Hopefully, that means we'll see the convenience of magnetic wireless charging meet the speed of wired fast charging.

Another benefit is that all Qi2-compatible devices will be able to take advantage of this magnetic charging. While MagSafe charges all Qi-compatible devices, it only magnetically attaches to MagSafe-compatible devices (i.e., Apple devices). With Qi2, Android and Apple devices will both be able to snap into place.

What's in it for iPhones?

If you're all-in on MagSafe, Qi2 might not seem like a big deal to you. After all, a MagSafe charger already precisely connects to your iPhone, so Qi2 appears to be more of the same.

However, it's great news for the future of wireless charging accessories, especially on iPhone. Right now, non-MagSafe Qi chargers are limited to 7.5W, which means charging speeds are slow. Sure, MagSafe can double that, but if you're looking for a cheap wireless charger to keep your iPhone topped off, you'll need to deal with waiting. Qi2 will keep the output at 15W, so you can expect the same speeds as MagSafe even from third-party Qi2 chargers.

Plus, companies will be able to make third-party wireless chargers that work like MagSafe, without having the "Apple tax" applied to them. Right now, a MagSafe charger costs $39 MSRP, but imagine a 15W Qi2 charger that costs closer to other Qi chargers on the market, maybe something like $15 or $20 (and those probably come with a power adapter, too, unlike Apple's MagSafe).

Which iPhones are compatible?

As of iOS 17.2, which is currently in beta but coming out soon, the following iPhones will be Qi2 compatible:

• iPhone 15

• iPhone 15 Plus

• iPhone 15 Pro

• iPhone 15 Pro Max

• iPhone 14

• iPhone 14 Plus

• iPhone 14 Pro

• iPhone 14 Pro Max

• iPhone 13

• iPhone 13 mini (12W max)

• iPhone 13 Pro

• iPhone 13 Pro Max

When can I use Qi2 charging?

Unfortunately, charger manufacturers haven't actually released any Qi2 chargers yet. It's possible when you update your iPhone 13 or newer, your phone will support a wireless charging standard that isn't even available. However, these devices are coming, so keep your eye on the market if you're interested in picking one up.

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