Wireless charging is not something entirely new. However, Apple has yet to embrace wireless charging for its iPhones. A Bloomberg report suggests that might be about to change with the company developing new extended range wireless charging for 2017 handsets.
Bloomberg states, “Apple is exploring cutting-edge technologies that would allow iPhones and iPads to be powered from further away than the charging mats used with current smartphones, the people said, asking not to be identified.
” This means that Apple could be about to introduce new wireless charging for its iPhones.
However, that may not be the case for the upcoming iPhone 7 this year. Some rumors suggested that might incorporate wireless charging, but it seems Apple has its eye on delivering something better than current wireless charging.
Current wireless charging — precisely inductive charging — requires pads, or docks, that have transmitter and receivers. MacDonald’s and Starbucks have both invested in wireless charging pads. There are a number of phones that have wireless charging such as the Galaxy S6, Xperia Z3, Google Nexus 6, YotaPhone 2 and Galaxy Note 4. The Nexus 7 is a tablet that supports wireless charging.
Apple has not seemed especially interested in wireless charging until now.
The only notable wireless charging device the company has at the moment is the Apple Watch. That is perhaps due to some of the disadvantages of wireless charging. Overall, it’s less efficient than the more traditional charging.
However, as research continues, that’s bound to change; and Apple can no longer be left off the wireless bandwagon. Consequently, the company could be developing new longer-range wireless charging. That wireless charging might not need any charging mats.
With the iPhone now reaching a saturation point, Apple needs to introduce something new to the handset to keep it at the forefront of the industry. It seems feasible that could be more effective wireless charging than is currently incorporated with some Android mobiles. Recent rumors have also suggested that the iPhone 7 might have a dual-camera system.
So wireless charging could be incorporated into future Apple iPhones, and perhaps iPads, from 2017 onward. There could also be more announcements for wireless charging devices at MWC 2016 in February.
