Apple has reportedly updated the iPhone 12 series to support faster wireless charging when connected magnetically to non-MagSafe Qi2 chargers, according to Macworld.
Despite no official announcement from Apple, the latest iOS 17.4 update is said to have enabled Qi2 support for the iPhone 12.
The report suggests that iPhone 12 devices can now achieve full 15W wireless charging speeds with non-MagSafe Qi2 magnetic chargers, a feature previously thought to be exclusive to newer iPhone models.
Previously, using wireless chargers without MagSafe certification limited charging speeds to a slower 7.5W.
Macworld’s tests indicate that iPhone 12 series phones running iOS 17.4 match the charging speed of Apple-certified MagSafe chargers when magnetically attached to non-MagSafe Qi2 chargers, even displaying the signature 15W charging animation.
Extended Support
While the iPhone 15 series was the first to officially support Qi2, Apple extended this support to the iPhone 13 and 14 series with the iOS 17.2 update.
However, the increased 15W wireless charging speeds apply only to the standard iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro models, with the iPhone 12 Mini capped at 12W wireless charging.
Introduced at CES 2024, Qi2, succeeding the widespread Qi standard, offers improved efficiency and integrates magnetic alignment inspired by MagSafe technology, with Apple significantly contributing to its development by sharing MagSafe specifications with the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC).
Ongoing Uncertainty
The report highlighted that Apple did not include the iPhone 12’s compatibility with Qi2 chargers in the iOS 17.4 release notes.
Additionally, conflicting information from accessory manufacturers like Belkin and Anker adds to the confusion. While Belkin asserts iPhone 12 compatibility with Qi2 chargers, Anker’s stance varies across different product listings.
Clarification from Apple regarding iPhone 12’s Qi2 compatibility is eagerly awaited.