Tech Gossip:The development history of wireless fast chargers
Tech Gossip:The development history of wireless fast chargers
2025-05-21
Early Theories and Experiments
In the 1890s, Nikola Tesla proposed the idea of wireless power transmission using Tesla coils, but the experiment failed due to funding and technical limitations. Although unrealized, his vision laid the theoretical foundation for future wireless charging technologies.
Early Attempts in Mobile Phone Wireless Fast Charging
In 2009, Palm launched the first smartphone supporting wireless charging, the Palm Pre, with 5W wireless charging. However, it required a special rear cover and a Touchstone wireless charging dock. At the time, charging an 1150mAh battery took 1 hour and 40 minutes—slow by today’s standards, but groundbreaking for its era.
Standard Wars and Development
In 2012, multiple wireless charging standard alliances emerged, such as A4WP and PMA:
A4WP (founded by Qualcomm, Samsung, etc.) focused on electromagnetic resonance technology.
PMA (initiated by Duracell Powermat) adopted electromagnetic induction technology.
These competing standards caused market confusion but also drove technological rivalry. In 2015, A4WP and PMA merged into the AirFuel Alliance (AFA), competing with the Qi standard—a magnetic induction standard established by the Wireless Power Consortium in 2010 and the most widely used today.
Brand Involvement and Breakthroughs
Apple’s Entry (2017): With the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and iPhone X supporting the Qi standard, Apple’s influence brought wireless charging into the mainstream.
Gionee’s Short-lived Claim (2017): Gionee announced the M7 Plus with "14W wireless fast charging," claiming it as China’s first such smartphone. However, the official charger never hit the market, and Gionee soon faced bankruptcy.
2019: Xiaomi 9 Pro introduced 30W wireless flash charging.
2020: Huawei P40 Pro+ featured 40W wireless super charging, while OPPO achieved 65W wireless charging.
New Technologies and Applications
In April 2023, the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) released the Qi2 standard, incorporating magnetic power profiling technology. It enables magnetic alignment for new form factors (e.g., AR/VR headsets) and supports fast charging at 15W.
Interesting Anecdotes
Early User Experience Issues: Low efficiency and overheating were common complaints in early wireless charging, prompting manufacturers to improve cooling designs.
Marketing Stunts: Brands launched creative campaigns and free gifts (e.g., wireless charging pads) to promote adoption.
Competitive Rivalries: Companies like Huawei, Xiaomi, and OPPO publicly boasted about charging speeds, driving industry-wide innovation.
From Tesla’s vision to today’s Qi2 standard, wireless fast charging has evolved through technical trials, corporate rivalries, and consumer demand—proving that even "gossip" in tech history is full of innovation and drama.
Tech Gossip:The development history of wireless fast chargers
Tech Gossip:The development history of wireless fast chargers
2025-05-21
Early Theories and Experiments
In the 1890s, Nikola Tesla proposed the idea of wireless power transmission using Tesla coils, but the experiment failed due to funding and technical limitations. Although unrealized, his vision laid the theoretical foundation for future wireless charging technologies.
Early Attempts in Mobile Phone Wireless Fast Charging
In 2009, Palm launched the first smartphone supporting wireless charging, the Palm Pre, with 5W wireless charging. However, it required a special rear cover and a Touchstone wireless charging dock. At the time, charging an 1150mAh battery took 1 hour and 40 minutes—slow by today’s standards, but groundbreaking for its era.
Standard Wars and Development
In 2012, multiple wireless charging standard alliances emerged, such as A4WP and PMA:
A4WP (founded by Qualcomm, Samsung, etc.) focused on electromagnetic resonance technology.
PMA (initiated by Duracell Powermat) adopted electromagnetic induction technology.
These competing standards caused market confusion but also drove technological rivalry. In 2015, A4WP and PMA merged into the AirFuel Alliance (AFA), competing with the Qi standard—a magnetic induction standard established by the Wireless Power Consortium in 2010 and the most widely used today.
Brand Involvement and Breakthroughs
Apple’s Entry (2017): With the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and iPhone X supporting the Qi standard, Apple’s influence brought wireless charging into the mainstream.
Gionee’s Short-lived Claim (2017): Gionee announced the M7 Plus with "14W wireless fast charging," claiming it as China’s first such smartphone. However, the official charger never hit the market, and Gionee soon faced bankruptcy.
2019: Xiaomi 9 Pro introduced 30W wireless flash charging.
2020: Huawei P40 Pro+ featured 40W wireless super charging, while OPPO achieved 65W wireless charging.
New Technologies and Applications
In April 2023, the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) released the Qi2 standard, incorporating magnetic power profiling technology. It enables magnetic alignment for new form factors (e.g., AR/VR headsets) and supports fast charging at 15W.
Interesting Anecdotes
Early User Experience Issues: Low efficiency and overheating were common complaints in early wireless charging, prompting manufacturers to improve cooling designs.
Marketing Stunts: Brands launched creative campaigns and free gifts (e.g., wireless charging pads) to promote adoption.
Competitive Rivalries: Companies like Huawei, Xiaomi, and OPPO publicly boasted about charging speeds, driving industry-wide innovation.
From Tesla’s vision to today’s Qi2 standard, wireless fast charging has evolved through technical trials, corporate rivalries, and consumer demand—proving that even "gossip" in tech history is full of innovation and drama.
