Next iPhone rumored to adopt 'Wireless PowerShare' tech for powering other devices, fast USB-C PD charging

Rumors out of Apple's Asian supply chain claim the next iPhone will provide compatibility with Integrated Device Technology's "Wireless PowerShare," enabling the ability to wirelessly charge devices like Apple Watch and AirPods.

Citing a supply chain source, Mac Otakara reports Apple's next iPhone will take a page out of Samsung's playbook with the introduction of IDT's Wireless PowerShare technology.

The Qi-based wireless charging solution debuted in 2015 as a method by which mobile devices can wirelessly charge one another. Samsung became the first major smartphone manufacturer to build the tech into a shipping handset with this year's Galaxy S10 series.

With Wireless PowerShare, a next-generation iPhone would be capable of charging Apple's new Wireless Charging Case for AirPods. Sources also claim the technology might be adapted to support Apple Watch, which uses a proprietary wireless charging protocol.

Today's report echoes predictions from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who in a research note in February said Apple's 2019 iPhone will ship with a "bilateral" wireless charging feature.

The China supply chain source also said the next-generation iPhone will integrate faster wired charging via a USB-C to Lightning cable and supporting internal hardware. As noted by Mac Otakara, the new C94 Lightning connector specification enables 18W fast charging over USB PD, or USB Power Delivery.

Resurfacing rumors from last year, the source suggests Apple might include an 18W charger with this year's flagship iPhones. Apple's current iPhone XS and XR series ship with a standard 5W USB power adapter in the box.

25 Comments

williamh 13 Years · 1048 comments

About 5 years ago

If Apple would implement this in their laptops, that would be interesting too. Better, I dare say, than AirPower.

chasm 10 Years · 3626 comments

I'm not quite understanding the appeal of wireless powershare as it relates to phones. So you want me to drain my phone to charge your phone? Um ... I just don't see a lot of people in the US going for this, even among couples, when battery packs are small and cheap and many are good for multiple charges.

It reminds me of an early iPhone app-gimmick where you and another person with the same app could "bump" iPhones to transfer data across. It worked, but nobody really used it after like two or three times.

StrangeDays 8 Years · 12986 comments

williamh said:

If Apple would implement this in their laptops, that would be interesting too. Better, I dare say, than AirPower.

Not, because they’re completely different use cases. As a traveler not traveling with a MBP, the AirPower in my bag is light and easy. I’d hate to have to replace with a MBP.

entropys 13 Years · 4316 comments

Citing a supply chain source, Mac Otakara reports Apple's next iPhone will take a page out of Samsung's playbook with the introduction of IDT's Wireless PowerShare technology.
You mean taking a page out of the Apple playbook like the way the Apple Pencil 2 works with an iPad Pro?

On on the issue of wirelessly charging airpods from your phone, that would only be really useful if it could be done without needing the case. Just put the individual airpods on the phone. The Samsung solution where they need to be in the case is a stupid solution to me. The point of using the wireless charging would be those times you not have taken the case with you. For emergencies.

MplsP 8 Years · 4047 comments

StrangeDays said:

williamh said:

If Apple would implement this in their laptops, that would be interesting too. Better, I dare say, than AirPower.

Not, because they’re completely different use cases. As a traveler not traveling with a MBP, the AirPower in my bag is light and easy. I’d hate to have to replace with a MBP.

I think the use would be that you could just take your laptop and not need to take a charging mat, too. I.e. get dual use out of your laptop, not use the laptop instead of the charging mat.

Ive done this in the past when traveling - I bring my laptop and a cable and plug my iPhone into my laptop.