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Apple unlikely to introduce wireless charging iPhones this year despite rumors to the contrary

Digitimes is out today with a report that states Apple and Samsung are set to introduce wireless charging flagship phones this year. At least with Apple, this is unlikely.

Following the steps of Nokia, LG Electronics and HTC, Samsung Electronics and Apple are expected to add wireless charging capability to their flagship models in 2013, according to industry sources […] Apple is likely to adopt the wireless charging technology developed internally, but it remains unknown if the next-generation iPhone will come with built-in wireless charging capability or with other attached accessories, said the sources.

We heard 2013 is an ‘S’ year for the iPhone, implying minor design changes with at most the possibility of a fingerprint reader (as well as better camerasfaster processor, and the like), but the design changes to the aluminum shell would need to be significant to make wireless charging possible. So, we don’t think this report is accurate.

As for ‘attached accessories’, Qi charging accessories have been available for the iPhone since at least 2010…

We reviewed Energizer’s iPhone Qi sleeve (Amazon) a few years ago and came away just slightly short of impressed with the technology.

While Apple has of course patented just about everything under the sun, including wireless magnetic inductive charging, Apple Senior Vice President Phil Schiller downplayed the idea of wireless charging after the release of the iPhone 5 just 5 short months ago…

As for wireless charging, Schiller notes that the wireless charging systems still have to be plugged into the wall, so it’s not clear how much convenience they add. The widely-adopted USB cord, meanwhile, can charge in wall outlets, computers and even on airplanes, he said.

“Having to create another device you have to plug into the wall is actually, for most situations, more complicated,” Schiller said.

While 2014 is uncertain, we believe this report is inaccurate at least where it applies to Apple.

Some inductive charging artwork from the last few years via Patently Apple:

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Avatar for Seth Weintraub Seth Weintraub

Publisher and Editorial Director of the 9to5/Electrek sites.


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