Qi2 is officially coming to Samsung Galaxy devices, Google adding Pixel’s faster speeds

Ben Schoon | Jan 6 2025 - 9:00 am PT

At CES 2025, two years after the standard was first announced, it’s been revealed that Qi2 is officially coming to Samsung Galaxy devices this year, and Google is leading development on faster charging speeds as well.

In a press release today, the Wireless Power Consortium has announced that Qi2 will see “acceleration” in Android devices in 2025, with more smartphones adopting built-in Qi2 support. To date, the only Android smartphone with Qi2 is the HMD Skyline.

With a quote from Samsung, the WPC has confirmed that Galaxy devices will be adding Qi2 in 2025, though there’s no word on what devices will be using it. The Galaxy S25 is rumored to support Qi2 through cases, but this post certainly suggests that the tech may be built in.

The exceptional Qi2 growth story will continue in 2025. You can expect to see Android devices supporting Qi2 from Samsung Galaxy devices in 2025.

Beyond that, Google is hinting strongly that it’s trying to get Qi2 in future Pixel phones. The company says it is “committed” to Qi2 and leading development on Qi 2.2 which will include Google’s “high-power wireless charging technology,” seemingly referring to the faster speeds available on some Pixel smartphones.

Google is committed to the Qi2 wireless charging standard and increasing the penetration of Qi2 into Android handsets and other devices. Google is helping to achieve this goal by playing a leading role in the development of the upcoming Qi v2.2 standard, which includes Google’s contribution of its own high-power wireless charging technology to WPC.

Google’s faster speeds have always been based on Qi2, but Pixel phones add additional layers of tech to enable speeds beyond Qi’s usual 15W maximum, though it only works on the Pixel Stand. With Google donating this tech to the Qi standard, more chargers and more smartphones will be picking up those faster speeds.

There’s no firm confirmation here that Google will adopt Qi2 in Pixel, but it seems remarkably obvious that’s what this will result in.

The press release goes on to explain that Qi2 extensions in 2025 will include moving coils for automotive use cases. This will be available in the Qi 2.1 standard.

However, the WPC is also muddying the waters for Qi2 with the addition of “Qi2 Ready” devices and acessories, which can apply to cases.

The growth of the Qi2 ecosystem will continue with the introduction of Qi2 Ready certified devices. These devices—smartphones and accessories such as cases—deliver the full Qi2 user experience when paired together in approved combinations.

Previously, Qi2 branding firmly required magnets to be built into the device, despite some unnecessary confusion on the matter.

Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series is set to launch later this month, which will seemingly be the first place we’ll see the first big expansion of Qi2 – or “Qi2 Ready” – in 2025.