When Apple lastly added help for wi-fi charging with the iPhone X and iPhone 8, it additionally confirmed that it was engaged on AirPower. The wi-fi charging pad was alleged to be able to wirelessly charging a number of gadgets without delay, together with an Apple Watch. That was in 2017 and issues quickly went quiet.
Quick ahead to 2019 and the AirPower challenge was lastly canceled after it was deemed to be too troublesome to supply to Apple’s specs. It needed it to work by permitting folks to position objects down wherever, and the entire thing was powered by comparable chips that made iPhones work, so it was by no means going to be low cost. However then we bought its substitute in MagSafe, a magnetic charger that shipped alongside the iPhone 12 in 2020.
But it surely seems that the MagSafe that shipped could be very totally different from the one which Apple had been engaged on. Actually, it had been designing the MagSafe charger alongside AirPower all alongside, and images of the prototype from 2017 have now surfaced on X.
2017, the 12 months of wi-fi charging
Photos of the prototype MagSafe charger have been shared on X, the social community beforehand often known as Twitter, by Apple collector @KosutamiSan. They are saying that the prototype was constructed round March 2017, noting that there are just a few variations when locations alongside the MagSafe wi-fi charger which you could stroll into any Apple Retailer and purchase in the present day.
The obvious distinction appears to be that the prototype is thinner than the transport mannequin, with a change in magnet association additionally pointed to by the prototype collector.
Apparently, in addition they say that the underside prototype reveals design similarities to the underside of the HomePod in that they each have the identical materials. It is not clear why Apple selected to not use that materials, however it’s maybe notable that the HomePod has been accused of leaving white rings on some sorts of woods, so it is in all probability for the very best that Apple went in a special course right here.
Unreleased prototype of MagSafe Charger. It’s tremendous uncommon but attention-grabbing. Featured totally different design, magnetic placement, and supplies used.Produced round Mar. 2017, which identical the AirPower does. Challenge began over after it’s cancellation.Infos in final pic. #appleinternal pic.twitter.com/lxTQqhgk5sJanuary 10, 2024
In the end, Apple selected to go the route of the MagSafe Charger that may be discovered in the present day and it is labored properly. The appearance of the Qi2 wi-fi charging commonplace implies that MagSafe is not fairly as vital to iPhone house owners because it as soon as was after all, so there’ll quickly be extra choices than ever for individuals who need wi-fi charging at 15W with out going the MagSafe route.
As for AirPower, it is a disgrace that it did not launch as a result of the preliminary 2017 demonstration regarded fairly nice. However it appears that evidently Apple over-promised on a product that it might by no means fairly get proper. There have been common rumors of AirPods models getting too scorching throughout testing, one thing Apple could not familiarize yourself with. And an organization as risk-averse as Apple was by no means going to threat promoting a wi-fi charger like that.
We should always by no means say by no means, nevertheless. I might be stunned if there wasn’t nonetheless an AirPower or two in Apple Park and there may be at all times the prospect that the challenge might be revived. For now, although, all eyes might be on CES 2024 to see what Qi2 wi-fi chargers are introduced. We have already seen new Satechi Qi2 wi-fi chargers, and Belkin has a few of its personal, too.
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