Future iPhones could wirelessly charge your AirPods and Apple Watch
Apple is working on a reverse wireless charging technology that would allow iPhones to wirelessly charge devices like AirPods and Apple Watches.
Apple has been granted a patent for reverse wireless charging technology for the iPhone. Apple introduced wireless charging to the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X in 2017, long after Android devices started shipping the feature. Introduced in 2020, MagSafe technology provides perfect alignment between your phone and wireless charging pad for optimal charging. However, the absence of reverse wireless charging on the iPhone is still notable, even though it's been available on Android devices for a few years.
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted Apple a patent featuring a "Double-Hump Magnetic Alignment Assembly for Device Alignment". As Patently Apple explains, the new technology will allow the flat surface on the back of the iPhone to wirelessly charge other devices, including the AirPods Pro wireless charging case or the Apple Watch, without any alignment issues. The patent could eventually bring reverse wireless charging to the iPhone lineup, but it's unclear if that will happen with the iPhone 15.
Reverse Wireless Charging In iPhones
Some recent iPhone models offer a form of reverse wireless charging, although this is highly limited. This function can be used with iPhone 12 series and later with MagSafe wireless charging. However, it only works with Apple MagSafe battery packs that have a Lightning port for wired charging. When the phone is connected to a wall outlet, the device can be connected to a compatible iPhone using the MagSafe connection. Doing so will allow both devices to charge simultaneously.
According to a patent published in December 2021, Apple is also working on another reverse wireless charging technology that would allow users to wirelessly charge other devices through the display rather than the back cover. This feature will require the screen area to be reserved exclusively for reverse wireless charging, while the remaining area can be used for display purposes.
It will be interesting to see if reverse wireless charging comes to the iPhone 15 series in any form. If it does, it will join a growing list of new features and capabilities that are expected to be added to the next generation of iPhone devices. One such feature is Dynamic Island, which is expected to appear on all iPhone 15 models, not just the two "Pro" models. Next year's iPhone lineup could be In line with new EU legislation, it also comes with a USB-C port.
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