iOS 26 to Bring 25W Qi2 Wireless Charging to iPhone 16 Series

The upcoming iOS 26 update is set to enable support for the Qi 2.2 wireless charging protocol on the iPhone 16 series. This new standard will allow all models in the lineup, with the exception of the iPhone 16e, to achieve wireless charging speeds of up to 25W using any compatible Qi 2.2 charger.

Previously, these devices could only reach 25W wireless charging speeds with Apple's latest MagSafe charger, while third-party Qi chargers were limited to 15W. The iOS 26 update will remove this restriction, making fast wireless charging more accessible to users.

Officially branded as "Qi2 25W," the new protocol is already being integrated into the market. Belkin, for example, has released three new Qi2 25W charging stands, including a 2-in-1 iPhone/AirPods charger for $59.99, a 3-in-1 option for $99.99, and another 3-in-1 charger for $129.99. According to Belkin, these new chargers can power an iPhone 16 model from 0% to 50% in about 30 minutes when running iOS 26, matching the speeds advertised for Apple's own 25W MagSafe charger. This serves as a strong indication that iOS 26 adds full Qi 2.2 support to the iPhone 16 lineup.

While it's currently possible to test Qi 2.2 support on iPhone 16 models using recent iOS 26 beta versions, the official public release is expected in September. It is anticipated that the iPhone 16 series will be fully certified for the Qi 2.2 standard by the time the final version of iOS 26 is released.

This update also suggests that the next-generation iPhone 17 series will likely continue to support Qi 2.2, offering the same 25W wireless fast charging capability out of the box. Apple is reportedly holding a new product launch event on September 10, with pre-orders for the iPhone 17 series potentially starting on September 12 and a general release on September 19.

This change is a significant step, as it opens up the market for a wider range of accessories that can provide the fastest wireless charging speeds to iPhone users.