A Weibo leaker has revived a long-running rumor that Apple will introduce a reverse charging feature, and that it could arrive in the iPhone 17 Pro.
Reverse charging, a function where one device recharges another using its charging system, has been a rumor floating around for years. However, if a Weibo leaker is to be believed, it could actually arrive this fall.
Posted on Monday, leaker "Fixed Focus Digital" claims that Apple has tested reverse charging in the iPhone 17 Pro. It is also apparently said to be a reliable and "dependable" feature, though no details are provided about what it does, or whether it is cable-based or uses wireless charging.
While potentially exciting, Fixed Focus Digital doesn't have a great reputation when it comes to accuracy. Weibo leakers also frequently repost rumors shared elsewhere online, making the story less reliable.
That said, it is something that has repeatedly been claimed by the rumor mill.
The rumor is six years old
In February, another Weibo leaker made the claim that the iPhone 17 Pro will include reverse charging. At the time, the leaker didn't explicitly say if it was wireless charging-based, but did reference the Samsung version of the feature in its devices.
The account also said that Apple's version transmits power at up to 7.5W, matching the Qi standard's wattage but falling short of MagSafe.
It is also a claim that has gone back to the iPhone 11 Pro Max. A teardown alluded to a deactivated reverse charging feature, known as bilateral wireless charging.
After that discovery, the feature has been hinted at for the iPhone 12 via an FCC filing in 2020, the iPhone 13 in 2021, and the iPhone 14 Pro in 2023.
