All three 2018 iPhones to support wireless charging, AirPower mat to cost $150, rumors say...
As predicted Apple's 5.8-, 6.1-, and 6.5-inch iPhones shipping this fall should all offer wireless charging, and the company's long-delayed AirPower mat should finally ship around the same time for $150, reports claim.
Apple engineers are still in the process of "debugging" the mat, Loveios said on Monday, citing supply chain sources for the Chinese-language site Chongdiantou. That would be consistent with a recent Bloomberg report, which said that Apple is aiming for a September window.
The earlier story blamed delays on "technical hurdles." Apple is believed to be using a more advanced coil system than most Qi-compatible wireless chargers, likely to handle the AirPower's ability to charge several different kinds of devices regardless of which order they're in on the mat.
When it was first revealed last year, the promise of the AirPower was an accessory that could charge iPhones, Apple Watches, and a still-unreleased wireless AirPods case. The mat will be able to handle up to three devices simultaneously.
That could be appealing to people who want to avoid hooking up multiple Lightning cables when they charge at night, and/or have a more convenient option when they travel.
It's typically been assumed that all of this fall's iPhones would support wireless charging, given compatiblity in the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X. The 6.1-inch model is expected to be a "budget" LCD device though, and dropping wireless would be one way to keep prices down.
Apple engineers are still in the process of "debugging" the mat, Loveios said on Monday, citing supply chain sources for the Chinese-language site Chongdiantou. That would be consistent with a recent Bloomberg report, which said that Apple is aiming for a September window.
The earlier story blamed delays on "technical hurdles." Apple is believed to be using a more advanced coil system than most Qi-compatible wireless chargers, likely to handle the AirPower's ability to charge several different kinds of devices regardless of which order they're in on the mat.
When it was first revealed last year, the promise of the AirPower was an accessory that could charge iPhones, Apple Watches, and a still-unreleased wireless AirPods case. The mat will be able to handle up to three devices simultaneously.
That could be appealing to people who want to avoid hooking up multiple Lightning cables when they charge at night, and/or have a more convenient option when they travel.
It's typically been assumed that all of this fall's iPhones would support wireless charging, given compatiblity in the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X. The 6.1-inch model is expected to be a "budget" LCD device though, and dropping wireless would be one way to keep prices down.
Comments
the convenience of not having to chase around 3 different cables, in the dark, while someone else is asleep in the same bed and fumbling around with trying to plug in a cable would be nice.
Yeah, $150 is a little steep, but this is Apple we’re talking about. $80 is high for their round Apple Watch charger, but my wife loves her’s. And that only charges 1 Watch at a time. So, charging 3 things for less than twice is much isn’t so outrageous.
Also, many of us with Apple Watch really appreciate its' night-clock appearance, when the watch is charging in a more vertical position.
I doubt that either of those features will exist with this 'flat-mat' design... too bad.
Compromise, in all things. I think the primary use design consideration here in convenience.
Fixed that for you...
I expect we'll see it at the phone launch next month. I'll also be interested to see what else it works with. iPads? Can you change anything else with it while charging an iPad on it? I also think we'll see the next-gen AirPods, possibly shipping exclusively with the AirPower charging case. (Not the mat, obviously.) I expect that will mean a price increase for the new AirPods, so possibly they'll keep selling the old ones, and the standalone charging case.
Then again, what do I know? I'm frequently wrong, or at least off by a couple of years. I have no information more than anyone else here.
Wireless CarPlay is a thing.
I’m hoping you forgot the sarcasm tag.