This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.Learn more Wireless charging for iPhones isn’t a new concept.The first smartphone from Apple to feature this technology was the iPhone 8, which launched all the way back in 2017.
Improved MagSafe refilling was then introduced on the iPhone 12 range in 2020 which, thanks to a clever magnetic connection, makes sure the battery is boosted far more efficiently and avoids annoying misalignment issues - and that's important.Not placing a device in exactly the right position on a wireless pad means charging won’t be optimal - that’s something MagSafe instantly rectifies.Read more: Biggest ever change to the iPhone line up could be coming this year Read more: Argos is dishing out iPhones at 'lowest ever price and they are selling fast To make things even better, MagSafe was upgraded in 2024 with the iPhone 16 (and now the iPhone 17) gaining access to quicker 25W charging speeds via an improved MagSafe puck.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENTThis technology remains one of the best features of Apple’s smartphones and was one of the reasons we criticised 2025’s iPhone 16e, which failed to feature it.Now, things have been boosted again with another new way to wirelessly refill the batteries.Qi2 technology is the latest wireless standard, which is not only available in the latest iPhone 17 range but also in some new Android phones, including the Pixel 10 Pro XL.Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT What is Qi2? Qi2 is the overarching charging standard as defined by industry body the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC).MagSafe is based on Qi2 but is Apple’s own charging standard, which works optimally to charge iPhones.Qi2 for Android phones is simpler - they either support the standard or they don’t.
For Android, Qi2 compatibility is only an indication of wireless charging speeds.The magnetic aspect is up to manufacturers.Google opted to put magnets in its Pixel 10 series, calling it Pixelsnap.
That means Pixel phones can attach to MagSafe or Pixelsnap chargers.On the other hand, Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series and the OnePlus 13 and 15 phones support Qi2, but do not have built-in magnets.Samsung and OnePlus sell cases for these phones with magnets inside, however.This latest Qi 2 charging platform is more powerful than before, with some devices gaining access to 25W speeds, rather than the standard 15W.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENTAlong with Apple’s MagSafe puck, several accessory makers now offer wireless charging docks with Qi 2.0 inside, and I’ve recently been testing models made by both Anker and Belkin.These smart boosters not only refill phones much faster but can also power up wireless earbuds and the Apple Watch simultaneously.Belkin’s new 3-in-1 Magnetic Charging Dock features a neat and compact design, making it perfect for a bedside table with spots for your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods.Anker’s Prime Wireless Charging Station looks a little more futuristic and even gets a little display, which shows exactly how fast things are being topped up.Another bonus of these chargers is that they feature cooling, which makes sure things don’t overheat during rapid refills.If things start to get toasty, speeds will fall, so the built-in fan makes sure you get the maximum charging power for longer.
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Read our Privacy PolicyGet More of Our News on GoogleSet Daily Express as a 'Preferred Source' to get quicker access to the news you value.There’s no doubt that these docks take all the hassle out of boosting the battery, along with making things a little bit quicker as well.They also act as a nice stand for devices, and you get a satisfying snap when they attach to the magnets within the charger.With Google now offering its own take on MagSafe and more devices set to follow, these charging accessories are also becoming far more useful for homes that use both Android and Apple.With prices starting from around £100, they are not cheap, and you’ll still get faster charging using a simple and far cheaper USB-C cable and charging brick.However, if you want a neat dock that can refill multiple gadgets at once and is now compatible with more phones, these Qi2 docks are a top choice.SEE THE DEALS BELOWBelkin 3-in-1 Magnetic Charging Dock • £109.99SEE THE DEAL HEREAnker Prime Wireless Charging Station • £159.99SEE THE DEAL HERE
