Originally Posted by
TGarza
The cynic in me says Apple wants to avoid another scenario of being forced to switch technology from lighting to USB C. Apple is using MagSafe to establish a standard to maximize profits.
Agree that is likely marketing fluff; the key point is that they donated the MagSafe concepts to the Qi spec.
I see Qi2 relating to MagSafe similar to how USB4 relates to Thunderbolt… Qi2 is based off MagSafe (MagSafe 2024 adding 25W capabilities), just as USB4 is based off TB (TB4 being the max possible specs of USB4) - however, Qi2 can’t yet fully equal MagSafe 25W charging based on the current spec, whereas full USB4 is the equivalent of TB4. Both share similar / same connectors, and are cross compatible.
([EDIT] To clarify: historically they differed, as MagSafe was built on top of Qi from the start and had backward compatibility, while TB was built separate from USB, but the situations now are similar, as above.)
Originally Posted by
frappant
But I dont' think it's MagSafe certified, just "compatible" with MagSafe and the platform clearly shows a ring. It works portrait or landscape so my guess is it doesn't have to be perfectly aligned to charge, though probably lower charging rate if it's not aligned with the magnet in the device itself.
Think that’s accurate; same with TB (and Intel), Apple probably has to certify MagSafe peripherals, but any Qi2 certified chargers are fully compatible with MagSafe (except for 25W charging), including alignment of the magnets.
I don’t use MagSafe myself, but thought it already allows for both landscape and portrait mode?
The magnets ensure alignment of the coils between device and charger, to reduce the inefficient charging (which distance also causes, I think). IIRC, older phones’ batteries were dying quicker due to the higher heat generation from misalignment, so the magnets are a neat trick.