Were you looking forward to Qi2 charging? You might run into trouble where you least expected it!

This year, Android phones finally saw a surge in models supporting the Qi2 standard. It’s essentially a copy of Apple’s MagSafe, where the phone not only charges wirelessly but is also equipped with magnets that ensure precise positioning of the phone relative to the charger.

These magnets then enable the use of many different gadgets. You can snap a wallet with documents, a small power bank that holds only by magnet, or use charging stands onto the back of your phone. This is useful both in the car and, for example, in the bedroom, where one hand is enough to remove the phone.

However, there are two catches to watch out for. One is quite easy to spot and is mentioned in reviews. While Apple phones have the necessary magnets directly in the phone body, even major Android phone manufacturers have somewhat simplified the situation and do not place magnets in their phones. Thus, you have to buy a case that contains the magnets. This year’s Pixel 10 phones are an exception.

When Space is Limited

The second catch, however, is more insidious, and I encountered it with the Samsung GalaxyZ Fold 7 phone. Incidentally, it is also only Qi2 Ready, so you must buy a case with magnets. But if you look at the back of the phone, you might notice that the camera module is very close to the charging coil. Unfortunately, you only discover this when you put on a cover that has visible magnets.

Were you looking forward to Qi2 charging? You might run into trouble where you least expected it! Libor Foltýnek Articles Libor Foltýnek Articles

The consequence of this arrangement is that only accessories with a rounded shape (circle, ellipse) hold well on the phone. For example, in the car, I use a charger from Pitaka, which meets this requirement, and the Fold 7 holds perfectly on it. Similarly, the magnetic camera grip holds excellently, even if it protrudes slightly on the bottom side. The GorillaPod tripod is perfectly usable with very minor limitations.

The stand can be used by placing the phone on it at an angle of about 45°. However, this is neither aesthetic nor practical, and ultimately not safe. There is again a risk that you might place the phone incorrectly while searching for the right position, and it will fall.

This is not just about this stand, and I mention it here only because I have personal experience with it. You will encounter the exact same issue with any power bank or wallet. The newer portable version no longer suffers from this problem thanks to its raised coil. You can purchase it, for example, on Alza.

Where the Fault Lies

Unfortunately, it seems impossible to point the finger unequivocally at either the phone manufacturer or the accessory manufacturer. The Qi2 standard only addresses the magnetic coil itself, but not its surroundings. Accessory manufacturers thus design their products according to the phones available on the market. Until recently, these were practically exclusively iPhones and, more recently, Pixel 10. And these phones have camera modules positioned in such a way that they do not obstruct accessories.

What to Do About It

In the current situation in the mobile and accessory market, only one thing remains: be careful and shop at e-shops that allow returns within 14 days. Buying original accessories should be a sure bet, but aren’t standards precisely for users to have choices? Moreover, the phone manufacturer does not always offer exactly what the customer wants.

What Qi2 accessories do you use?

Source: own, WPC