All three 2018 iPhones to support wireless charging, AirPower mat to cost $150, rumors say

As predicted Apple's 5.8-, 6.1-, and 6.5-inch iPhones shipping this fall should all offer wireless charging, and the company's long-delayed AirPower mat should finally ship around the same time for $150, reports claim.

Apple engineers are still in the process of "debugging" the mat, Loveios said on Monday, citing supply chain sources for the Chinese-language site Chongdiantou. That would be consistent with a recent Bloomberg report, which said that Apple is aiming for a September window.

The earlier story blamed delays on "technical hurdles." Apple is believed to be using a more advanced coil system than most Qi-compatible wireless chargers, likely to handle the AirPower's ability to charge several different kinds of devices regardless of which order they're in on the mat.

When it was first revealed last year, the promise of the AirPower was an accessory that could charge iPhones, Apple Watches, and a still-unreleased wireless AirPods case. The mat will be able to handle up to three devices simultaneously.

That could be appealing to people who want to avoid hooking up multiple Lightning cables when they charge at night, and/or have a more convenient option when they travel.

It's typically been assumed that all of this fall's iPhones would support wireless charging, given compatiblity in the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X. The 6.1-inch model is expected to be a "budget" LCD device though, and dropping wireless would be one way to keep prices down.

30 Comments

pigybank 178 comments · 17 Years

About 6 years ago

The AirPower mat is a unicorn.

wood1208 2932 comments · 10 Years

When 2017 iPhones 8/Plus supported wireless charging than why anyone doubt for 2018 iPhones and write article on it. and wireless mat, will hear more next month.

mac-daddy 150 comments · 13 Years

Spending $150 on a charging mat is absolutely laughable. Since when did it become so hard to plug a wire into your phone to charge it?

ihatescreennames 1971 comments · 19 Years

mac-daddy said:

Spending $150 on a charging mat is absolutely laughable. Since when did it become so hard to plug a wire into your phone to charge it?

Who said it was hard to plug in a cable?

the convenience of not having to chase around 3 different cables, in the dark, while someone else is asleep in the same bed and fumbling around with trying to plug in a cable would be nice.

Yeah, $150 is a little steep, but this is Apple we’re talking about. $80 is high for their round Apple Watch charger, but my wife loves her’s. And that only charges 1 Watch at a time. So, charging 3 things for less than twice is much isn’t so outrageous.

BtheB 6 comments · 7 Years

Obviously, a flat mat will not work for those of us with the stainless steel mesh loop band on our watch.
Also, many of us with Apple Watch really appreciate its' night-clock appearance, when the watch is charging in a more vertical position.
I doubt that either of those features will exist with this 'flat-mat' design... too bad.