The Qi2 Revolution: Why your Android Phone Finally Beats iPhone at Wireless Charging

Wireless charging has been around for more than a decade, but it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for Android users. Many phones promised convenience, yet slow speeds, overheating, and alignment problems left most people sticking to cables. However, when Qi2 wireless charging was introduced in late 2023, we noticed a huge difference in terms of speed, magnets and better efficiency. And trust us when we say that you couldn’t have wished for something else as an Android user. But only a few phones actually support it right now. Here’s everything you need to know.

The Qi2 breakdown: what it actually means for Android user

Qi2 Wireless Charging is the latest global standard certified by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC). It builds on the older Qi standard but fixes its biggest flaws. The highlight? Magnetic alignment that ensures your phone always sits perfectly on the charging pad, reducing wasted energy and heat.

Goodbye misalignment: how magnetic perfection changes everything

Anyone who has used a wireless charger for Android knows the struggle — place your phone slightly off-center and you get slow charging or none at all. Qi2 eliminates that guesswork with magnets, similar to Apple’s MagSafe, but now standardized across brands. This not only improves charging reliability but also makes accessories like stands and car mounts much more practical.

15W vs 25W: The speed divide in Qi2 Android phones

While Qi2 officially supports 15W charging speeds, some Android makers are already pushing higher limits. How do we know this? Look at the Google Pixel 10 series that supports 25w Qi2 charging, you’d observe that it has the fastest wireless charging option in the Android category. On the other hand, other makers still use the 15W making the device slow when you compare it with wired charging standards that shoot above 60W. Expect this divide to grow until Qi2.2 becomes mainstream.

The real list: every Qi2 Android phone you can buy (2025)

So far, only a few Android phones truly support Qi2 out of the box. Google is leading the charge, while Samsung is taking a more cautious approach.

These are the first wave of Android phones with native Qi2 Wireless Charging support. More mid-range models are expected later in 2025, but adoption remains slow compared to Apple’s iPhone lineup.

“Qi2-compatible” vs “Qi2-built-in”: Why Samsung S25 Ultra doesn’t make the cut

Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra may appear to support Qi2, but there’s a catch. The phone doesn’t include built-in magnets, so while it charges on a Qi2 pad, it doesn’t benefit from the perfect alignment that makes the standard so appealing. This “compatibility without certification” approach has frustrated Android users, especially when rivals like Google are embracing full Qi2 integration.

Why Android wireless charging lagged behind for years

Although wireless charging has been around for years, it didn’t really gain traction until the spotlight was shone on it with its adoption in the iPhone. Don’t try to think too much about this because it is quite complex due to division, substandard nature of accessory and controversial manufacturer resolutions.

The fragmentation problem: 5 charging standards, zero unity

Android manufacturers spent years experimenting with proprietary wireless charging systems. Some phones supported 10W, others 15W, and certain Chinese brands pushed 50W+ proprietary chargers that only worked with their accessories. This lack of unity made it hard for users to know what charger would actually deliver fast speeds.

Case-gate: How magnetic rings killed mainstream adoption

Another issue was phone cases. Without standardized magnets, wireless chargers often failed when users added protective cases. Third-party case makers tried adding magnetic rings, but most were poorly aligned and caused overheating or slow speeds. Qi2 solves this by baking magnetic alignment into the standard itself.

Manufacturer greed: The $70 “wireless charging upgrade” scam

For years, we’ve been caught in a rubble of unnecessary expenses packaged as a premium feature simply because some brands chose to make the wireless feature available only to flagship products and sell these wireless chargers for $70 and above. This pricing strategy slowed adoption among average Android users who preferred sticking to fast, cheap wired chargers.

Qi2 wireless charger buyer’s guide: don’t get scammed

If you’re buying a wireless charger for Android in 2025, look for Qi2 certification. This ensures that the charger meets the new magnetic and power efficiency standards. Avoid “Qi2-compatible” labels that lack official certification. Although they may work, they won’t guarantee safe charging speeds.

In terms of accessories, if we are to compare Android vs iPhone, you’d know that Apple still takes the lead. From Qi2-certified chargers to car mounts, and to wallets, iPhone leads. Android users are slowly catching up, but choice is still limited.

ESR’s CryoBoost secret: The only charger that doesn’t overheat

One standout option for Android is ESR’s CryoBoost Qi2 charger. ESR comes with a built-in cooling system that helps regulate the temperature while charging and it is nothing compared to other chargers that get heated up while charging. If you’re asking what you stand to gain from using the ESR CryoBoost charger, then here’s one: You’ll be able to maintain a constant charging speed and also protect your battery health. This charger is your best bet if you always charge overnight.

The future: Qi2.2 and beyond

Qi2 is the starting point. The WPC is already working on Qi2.2, which promises even faster wireless charging speeds and wider adoption across Android brands.

Google’s Pixelsnap Charger: 25W magnetic charging confirmed

Google’s PixelSnap has push Qi2.2 speeds up to 25W while maintaining magnet alignment. And this could finally make wireless charging a true alternative to wired chargers for Pixel users.

Will Samsung finally embrace built-in magnets in 2026?

The big question is whether Samsung will finally commit to Qi2’s full potential. Rumors point to the Galaxy S26 series adding built-in magnets, which would make accessories far more reliable. If Samsung joins Google in embracing full Qi2 integration, 2026 could be the year Android wireless charging finally goes mainstream.

Final note

Qi2 Wireless Charging is the first real chance for Android phones to rival Apple’s MagSafe experience. With Google, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and Oppo already on board, the foundation is set. But until Samsung and other major players commit to built-in magnets and faster speeds, adoption will remain limited. If you’re buying a wireless charger for Android today, stick to Qi2-certified models like ESR’s CryoBoost and look out for the ESR Qi2.2 devices. The future of wireless charging on Android is finally starting to look promising. 

References

1. Engadget. (2024, August 12). *Here are all the Android phones that support Qi2*. Engadget. 

2. Gartenberg, C. (2023, December 12). *Qi2 wireless charging standard launches with iPhone 15 and Android phones following in 2024*. The Verge. 

3. Byford, S. (2024, January 5). *Qi2 wireless charging explained: What you need to know*. Android Authority.