Enlarge / Anker's latest MagGo portable charger, already Qi2 equipped, will soon be able to charge iPhones, Androids, and other devices at 15 W. (credit: Anker)

Qi2 is either a big step forward or a "Wait, that's it?" moment, depending on what kind of wireless charging you're used to using.

If you've only ever used standard Qi chargers with devices that don't have their own schemes, the Wireless Power Consortium's announcement today of the first Qi 2.0 devices being ready to launch before the holidays, with more than 100 in the queue behind them, is great. Qi2 sports a "Magnetic Power Profile" (MPP), created with help by Apple's MagSafe team, to help align devices and chargers' coils for faster, more efficient charging. Qi2-certified devices set onto Qi2 chargers can achieve 15 W charging, up from 7.5 W in the standard Qi scheme.

That brings Qi2 devices up to the same speed as iPhones on MagSafe chargers, and it clears up some consumer confusion about how fast a device might charge on Qi, MagSafe, or proprietary chargers. Should a phone and charger be Qi2 certified, you can now expect about 15 W out of it, regardless of whatever Google, Apple, or third party is behind them. Android and iPhone users alike are no longer beholden to their primary hardware vendor if they want 15 W of wireless juice.

Enlarge / Belkin's BoostCharge Convertible Qi2 Wireless Pad to Stand. (credit: Belkin)

The first wireless charging devices that support the Wireless Power Consortium's (WPC) Qi2 wireless charging standard were detailed today. The chargers and subsequent Qi2 products will feature Apple MagSafe-like technology and promise a secure, more efficient wireless charge with the help of magnets. We don't know which smartphones will support Qi2, but there's hope that with the right compatibility, it will be easier to charge an Android phone with a secure magnetic connection. The new charging standard will also expand the number of chargers that can power Android and iOS devices wirelessly.

Currently, wireless iPhone charging is limited to 7.5 W unless you have a MagSafe charger, which supports 15 W. The limitation has given shoppers a reason to buy a MagSafe charger over various non-Apple chargers, including those following the Qi standard. It took five years after Android phones started adopting Qi for Apple (with the iPhone 8 series) to get on board. In January 2023, months ahead of Apple's expected iPhone 15 launch ,  WPC announced that Apple "provided the basis for the new Qi2 standard building on its MagSafe technology."

Along with other WPC members, Apple helped create the standard's Magnet Power Profile. When finalized, the Qi2 standard will have mandates for magnet strength and dimensions to ensure foolproof alignment between transmitters and receivers for a consistent charge and less heat-inducing energy loss. The WPC sees the design as enabling wireless charging of new product categories, including tablets and smartwatches (it's targeting the standard at phones and wireless earbuds to start).

Enlarge / Belkin's new 3-in-1 MagSafe charging stand is identical to its predecessor, pictured above, but true change occurs within. (credit: Corey Gaskin / Ars Technica)

Belkin just launched its second 3-in-1 device capable of fast-charging the latest Apple Watch Series 7. The new Boost Charge Pro 3-in-1 MagSafe charging stand joins its pad-shaped sibling as the only other all-in-one solution that can charge your mobile Apple devices (MagSafe-compatible iPhones, AirPods, and Apple Watches) at the fastest wireless speeds possible.

When the Apple Watch Series 7 launched last year, it became the first Apple Watch to be fast-charge capable, cutting the protracted 2.5-hour charge time of previous generations in half. I noted it as my favorite feature in my review , and that's because it not only made zero to 100 charges quicker, but it also made quick dashes on the charger much more efficient. For instance, only 45 minutes on the charger brought the Series 7 from zero to 80 percent. It was a big help in making sure the watch wouldn't die right before I was about to go for a run or head to bed.

• 

  Belkin's new 3-in-1 MagSafe charger with fast-charging for Apple Watches

Belkin's 3-in-1 Apple charger is one we've recommended before. The previous version, without fast-charging for the Apple Watch, made our list of the best iPhone 12 accessories, thanks to its sleek, modern aesthetics, and compact, efficient design. The newest version looks identical, hiding its important changes within. It was never the cheapest option, selling for $150 , but its build quality and versatility bolstered its value then, as the addition of Apple Watch fast-charging does now at no additional cost.