Apple identifies automakers with wireless charging supporting iPhone 8 & 8 Plus
Apple has issued a new support document identifying which auto brands -- and in some cases, specific vehicles -- offer iPhone 8-compatible wireless chargers.
Some of the compatible brands include Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Ford, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, PSA, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo. Apple didn't say whether people may need to pay extra for the technology, but did caution that the 5.5-inch iPhone 8 Plus might not fit in some chargers.
For four brands -- Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC -- the company noted that only specific models meet the Qi standard Apple relies on. While offering wireless charging, even some models as recent as 2017 aren't Qi-compatible, Apple said. Supporting vehicles do include:
Apple is a latecomer to the world of wireless phone charging, as the option has been present on some Android phones for years. Two first-party accessories -- the AirPods Wireless Charging Case and the AirPower charging mat -- are still in development, the latter due in 2018.
Some of the compatible brands include Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Ford, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, PSA, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo. Apple didn't say whether people may need to pay extra for the technology, but did caution that the 5.5-inch iPhone 8 Plus might not fit in some chargers.
For four brands -- Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC -- the company noted that only specific models meet the Qi standard Apple relies on. While offering wireless charging, even some models as recent as 2017 aren't Qi-compatible, Apple said. Supporting vehicles do include:
- 2018 GMC Terrain
- 2018 GMC Yukon
- 2018 GMC Sierra
- 2018 Chevrolet Bolt
- 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe
- 2018 Chevrolet Silverado
- 2018 Chevrolet Suburban
- 2018 Cadillac Escalade
- 2018 Buick Enclave
Apple is a latecomer to the world of wireless phone charging, as the option has been present on some Android phones for years. Two first-party accessories -- the AirPods Wireless Charging Case and the AirPower charging mat -- are still in development, the latter due in 2018.
Comments
It does not have wireless charging.
2) I'd love to see AI (or someone else) do a comprehensive review of home/office and in-car Qi chargers that are iPhone (and Series 3 Watch) compatible.
In response to iwarriorpoet who said: The 8+ might have issues with a small charging pad, but the X is almost the same size as the 8. It should fit on any existing mat.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/automotive/sc-car-model-years-reason-autocover-1103-20161101-story.html
That's actually a pretty big list. Of course, not every car nor trim level will offer the option, but that covers almost every major car maker except GM which has some models called out separately.
I really like it a lot. Much more than I expected to. I had cooled off on Audi because of the emissions scandal, but I am impressed by the serious steps VW (the parent company) has taken -- and the restitution they've paid, nearly $25B in the US alone -- to address the problem, at least in the US.
The styling, especially interior styling, is superb. Handles like a sports car. And their MMI -- which was really quite poorly implemented -- is aeons better than it used to be. In fact, the voice recognition, while not as good as Siri, is a massive improvement, and can understand natural language to some extent. CarPlay implementation is a 5/10, almost half-hearted. It's as though they are steering you towards using the MMI, which is largely what I've started doing. Switching into and out of CarPlay is a particularly clunky.
I was a little surprised at the lack of wireless charging, since it has every conceivable tech whiz-bang (including massaging seats!). I thought I would mention it here only because it is one of the higher-end Audis, the kind of model/configuration that might have been a candidate for it.
https://parts.audiusa.com/p/Audi_2017_Q7/Audi-Wireless-Charging-Pad/69107559/8W0051191.html