More iOS 11 software examination shows evidence of wireless charging in iPhone

While it is not clear which new iPhone will get wireless charging, further examinations of the leaked "gold master" iOS 11 suggest that wireless charging is imminent — but no specific details have been gleaned beyond software support.

Spotted by developer Guilherme Rambo, iOS 11 includes a new "ChargingViewService" routine. Not only does the routine identify if a model is compatible with wireless charging, it is also in control of displaying some 3d animations while the device is using the feature.

ChargingViewService confirms wireless charging. It will even show some 3D animations when charging (not present in GM tho) pic.twitter.com/JLBd4HQLpS
— Guilherme Rambo (@_inside) September 10, 2017

Wireless charging has long been a rumored feature of what was previously expected to be called the OLED "iPhone 8" but is now identified as the iPhone X. The technology is expected in the LCD iPhone 8 as well, previously assumed to be called the "iPhone 7s" family.

The technology is thought to be based on the Qi standard, but reportedly limited to 7.5W.

Rambo notes that the iOS 11 leak is near final — but not yet complete. Some system settings pages literally contain "lorem ipsum" text as placeholders for final markers.

Apple is expected to announce three new iPhones with the high-end OLED model, and two other devices expected at a Sept. 12 press event. Also predicted is a refresh of the Apple TV adding 4K video as a playback option, and an LTE-equipped Apple Watch.

9 Comments

bloggerblog 16 Years · 2521 comments

About 7 years ago

I am still not sure of what the advantages of wireless charging are. At the airport I'll have to leave my phone unattended, even if I manage to get the seat right next to the charger I cannot practically use it since the chargers are too far down at hip level. Most likely I'll have to leave my phone unattended, untethered, and un-useable. I'd rather toss a USB cable in my backpack, which I'll be carrying either way, and squat next to an outlet.

Soli 9 Years · 9981 comments

bloggerblog said:

I am still not sure of what the advantages of wireless charging are. At the airport I'll have to leave my phone unattended, even if I manage to get the seat right next to the charger I cannot practically use it since the chargers are too far down at hip level. Most likely I'll have to leave my phone unattended, untethered, and un-useable. I'd rather toss a USB cable in my backpack, which I'll be carrying either way, and squat next to an outlet.

1) You only ever charge at an airport?

2) Why would you leave your stuff unattended at all?

3) If you'd rather "toss a USB cable in [your] backpack" then bother commenting about inductive charging as an option? For example, I'd rather use Safari than Chrome on my iPhone, but you won't see me on a website complaining that Chrome (or other 3rd-party browsers) shouldn't exist.

lordjohnwhorfin 18 Years · 871 comments

Just because you don't understand the benefit doesn't mean there isn't one. There are many good use cases, starting with cars equipped with wireless charging phone holders. Not having to fumble for a fragile cord is a huge benefit. But I suppose you're also one of those who use corded headphones and still lament the death of the headphone jack.

tallest skil 14 Years · 43086 comments

bloggerblog said:

I am still not sure of what the advantages of wireless charging are.
Situationally agnostic wireless power
(meaning WiTricity and other brands) shows a clearer benefit than situationally specific wireless power (induction charging), but you have to admit that there IS a benefit to not having to plug in your phone, even if you are still required to put it in the same place. The argument here is over the magnitude of the benefit, not the existence of the benefit itself. Personally, I would have preferred they just wait until they could give us the former instead of the matter, but that appears to be quite a ways off. Still, expect Android shills to scream about how "We've had induction charging for years!"
At the airport I'll have to leave my phone unattended…
Because… of wireless charging? Or otherwise? And why would you EVER do this?

Graham'sNumber 7 Years · 11 comments

bloggerblog said:

I am still not sure of what the advantages of wireless charging are.

From an accessibility pov my Parkinsonian elderly father struggles to get the charger into the port correctly. In addition I imagine visually impaired people would benefit too. Small but important group of customers that  always consider during their design processes.