The latest iOS update is now being rolled out for beta testing by Apple. The new update is bringing some much needed updates to the new generation iPhones, and will increase the speed of their wireless charging capabilities.
The update, iOS 11.2, will allow the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X to get charged wirelessly at a faster rate. Previously, the charging on the phones were limited to 5 watts. After the update, the phones will support 7.5-watt charging.
Aside from faster charging times, the update also allows the new iPhones to be compatible to a wider array of wireless chargers. All the new generation iPhones are using the Qi standard in wireless charging. The 7.5-watt charging is officially supported in the Qi standard.
However, the previous limitation seems to have been imposed by Apple's hardware identifiers. With the new update of the mobile operating system, the support for the higher wattage charging effectively gets unlocked for the iPhones.
The reason behind the restriction is not known, but it may have something to do with safety precautions that Apple is employing. It is possible that during the time of release of the latest iPhones, Apple did not find the current high-speed chargers available in the market to be safe enough, so it opted to limit the wattage to a lower rating. Now, with the release of Mophie and Belkin wireless chargers, Apple is promising "Qi wireless technology to deliver safe, quick-charging speeds."
While the technology has been present in competitor smartphone brands for years now, Apple has only introduced wireless charging to its devices this year. During the company's device showcase in September, Apple introduced the very first set of iPhones to support wireless charging.
The new feature allows the new iPhones to be charged when placed on a supported wireless charger surface, and offers a cleaner, more minimalistic experience that is a signature of Apple.
