Apple’s latest iOS 17.4 update, primarily associated with compliance with the EU Digital Markets Act, came with a pleasant surprise for iPhone 12 users. The new update enables compatibility with the advanced Qi2 wireless charging standard for the smartphone. 

Tests conducted by the publication Macworld reveal that iPhone 12s running iOS 17.4 can now wirelessly charge at 15W even when using a Qi2 charger that isn’t Apple’s certified MagSafe charger. 

In their tests, iPhone 12’s charging times between MagSafe and Qi2 chargers were remarkably similar, taking around 20 minutes to reach 30 percent battery and 45-50 minutes to reach 50 percent.

iPhone 12 15W Qi2 wireless charging support

Additionally, the report notes that the phone now shows the 15W-only charging animation when connected to these chargers, although Apple has not mentioned this feature in its official release notes.

Previously, iPhone 12s were limited to a charging speed of 7.5W on non-MagSafe Qi wireless chargers. Apple did a similar upgrade for the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 back in December with the iOS 17.2 software update. And now 2020’s iPhone 12 has also joined the party.

Qi2 is a new wireless charging standard with better efficiency in wireless power transfer and robust magnetic alignment, bearing similarities to Apple’s MagSafe technology. 

This resemblance isn’t surprising, considering Apple’s prominent role in the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), the entity behind the Qi standard. So their influence on Qi2’s development is evident. 

For iPhone 12 users, this update translates to more freedom in wireless charging. Now, even non-MagSafe Qi2 chargers can deliver the same speedy 15W charging, expanding the range of charger options available without compromising performance.

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