Qi vs qi2: What Changed & Which Devices Support It

Qi and Qi2 are both wireless charging standards, but they differ significantly in how they align the phone with the charger and in the power they can deliver. Qi2, introduced in 2023, adds a magnetic alignment ring (based on Apple’s MagSafe technology) and is the foundation for faster 15W charging on Android devices, while original Qi devices without the magnetic ring remain limited to 5W or 7.5W depending on the phone. This article explains the technical changes, compatibility, and which devices support each standard.

Background: From Qi to Qi2

The Qi (pronounced “chee”) standard was developed by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) and first released in 2008. It became the universal baseline for wireless charging, found in phones, earbuds, and even furniture. The original Qi specification relied on inductive charging: a coil in the charger creates an alternating magnetic field, and a coil in the device converts that field back into electricity. However, alignment was a major issue—if the phone wasn’t centered on the charger, efficiency dropped sharply, and charging often failed or slowed to a trickle.

In January 2023, the WPC announced Qi2, a new standard that incorporates a magnetic alignment profile. This was a direct response to Apple’s MagSafe, which had shown that magnets could solve the alignment problem and enable consistent 15W charging. Qi2 is backward-compatible with Qi, meaning a Qi2 charger can charge a Qi-only phone, but at the slower Qi speeds. The first Qi2-certified products appeared in late 2023, and by 2024, many Android flagships adopted the standard.

How Qi2 Works: The Magnetic Alignment Profile

The core change in Qi2 is the addition of a ring of magnets around the charging coil, both in the charger and in the device. This “Magnetic Power Profile” ensures the coils are perfectly aligned every time you place the phone down. The magnets are arranged in a specific pattern (similar to MagSafe) and provide a detent force that snaps the phone into place.

The alignment has three practical benefits:

• Higher efficiency: Perfect alignment reduces energy loss, so more power reaches the battery and less is wasted as heat.
• Consistent 15W charging: Original Qi could theoretically deliver 15W, but in practice, most Android phones limited it to 5W or 7.5W because misalignment caused overheating. Qi2’s alignment allows sustained 15W charging on compatible devices.
• Better accessory compatibility: Magnetic alignment makes it easier to use accessories like battery packs and car mounts, since the phone stays securely attached.

Qi2 also includes the same safety features as Qi—foreign object detection, temperature monitoring, and over-voltage protection—but with stricter testing requirements for certification.

Key Differences: Qi vs Qi2 at a Glance

Here’s a quick comparison of the two standards:

• Alignment: Qi relies on manual placement or multiple-coil arrays; Qi2 uses a magnetic ring for perfect alignment.
• Maximum power: Qi officially supports up to 15W, but most phones cap at 5W or 7.5W; Qi2 also supports 15W, but it’s actually achievable on Android phones.
• Backward compatibility: Qi2 chargers work with Qi devices, but at Qi speeds; Qi chargers do not provide magnetic alignment to Qi2 phones (they charge at Qi speeds).
• Certification: Qi2 has a stricter certification process, including a mandatory magnetic alignment test.
• Ecosystem: Qi2 is designed to unify Android and Apple’s MagSafe; Apple’s MagSafe is essentially a proprietary implementation of Qi2 (though Apple hasn’t officially adopted the Qi2 logo).

Which Devices Support Qi2?

As of late 2024, Qi2 support is primarily found in newer Android flagship phones. Here’s a breakdown:

• iPhone 15 and later: These support Qi2, but they already had MagSafe, which is functionally identical. So Qi2 doesn’t change anything for iPhone users.
• Android phones with Qi2: The first wave includes the Google Pixel 8 and 9 series, Samsung Galaxy S24 and S25 series, and the OnePlus 12 and 13. Many other brands (Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo) have announced Qi2 support in their 2024-2025 flagships.
• Older Android phones: Most phones from 2022 and earlier only support original Qi. They will work with Qi2 chargers, but only at 5W or 7.5W, and without magnetic alignment.
• Earbuds and accessories: Qi2 is also used in charging cases for earbuds (like Samsung’s Galaxy Buds) and in some smartwatches, though the latter often use proprietary charging.

To check if your phone supports Qi2, look for “Qi2” or “Magnetic Power Profile” in the specs, or check the WPC’s certified product list. If your phone has a magnetic ring visible on the back (under the glass), it’s likely Qi2.

How to Choose a Qi2 Charger

When buying a wireless charger, consider these factors:

• Check certification: Look for the Qi2 logo. Non-certified chargers may not deliver 15W or may not align correctly.
• Power output: Ensure the charger supports 15W for Qi2 devices. Some chargers are only 5W or 7.5W, which defeats the purpose.
• Form factor: Pads, stands, and car mounts all work, but stands are better for video calls and notifications.
• Cable and adapter: Many Qi2 chargers require a USB-C to USB-C cable and a 20W+ power adapter. Check the box—some include them, some don’t.
• Compatibility with cases: Thick or magnetic cases can interfere. Look for cases that are Qi2-compatible (usually marked as such).

If you have an older Qi phone, you can still buy a Qi2 charger—it will work, but you won’t get the speed or magnetic snap. If you have a Qi2 phone, avoid buying old Qi chargers, as they’ll charge at a fraction of the speed.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

One common misconception is that Qi2 is the same as MagSafe. While Qi2 is based on MagSafe’s technology, they are not identical. MagSafe is Apple’s proprietary implementation, and it includes additional features like a secure connection for accessories. Qi2 is an open standard that any manufacturer can adopt. In practice, a MagSafe charger will work with a Qi2 phone (and vice versa) at 15W, but the magnetic alignment may not be perfect for all devices.

Another issue is that many Android phones support 15W wireless charging even without Qi2, using proprietary protocols. For example, Samsung’s 15W wireless charging works with any Qi charger that supports it, but it’s not Qi2-certified. This causes confusion when comparing specs. The key difference is that Qi2 guarantees 15W across all Qi2-certified chargers, whereas proprietary protocols may only work with specific chargers.

Finally, a practical problem: Qi2 chargers can be more expensive than Qi chargers, and some early models had issues with overheating or weak magnets. Always buy from reputable brands and check reviews for real-world performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Qi2 backward compatible with Qi?

Yes. A Qi2 charger will charge any Qi-certified device, but at the device’s maximum Qi speed (usually 5W or 7.5W). Conversely, a Qi charger will charge a Qi2 device, but it won’t provide magnetic alignment and will also be limited to Qi speeds.

Does my iPhone support Qi2?

iPhone 15 and later models support Qi2, but they already had MagSafe, which is functionally equivalent. If you have an older iPhone (12-14), they also support MagSafe but not the Qi2 logo; however, they will work with Qi2 chargers at 15W.

Why is my Qi2 charger only charging at 5W?

This usually happens because the device doesn’t support Qi2 (it’s a Qi-only phone), the charger isn’t Qi2-certified, or the cable/adapter doesn’t provide enough power. Check that your phone and charger both support Qi2 and that you’re using a 20W+ adapter.

Can I use a MagSafe charger with a Qi2 Android phone?

Yes, in most cases. MagSafe chargers use the same magnetic alignment profile as Qi2, so they will charge Qi2 Android phones at 15W. However, some MagSafe chargers may have a tighter magnetic grip, which could be fine or annoying depending on your preference.

Will Qi2 chargers work with a thick case?

Qi2 chargers work through cases up to about 3mm thick, but thick or metal cases can block the magnetic field and prevent alignment. For best results, use a case that is specifically marked as Qi2-compatible.

Is Qi2 worth upgrading to?

If you have a Qi2-compatible phone and you’re tired of slow, finicky wireless charging, yes. The magnetic alignment and consistent 15W speed are a real improvement. If you have an older phone, you won’t see the benefits until you upgrade your phone.

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