MagSafe and Qi2 explained

MagSafe and Qi2 both use a ring of magnets to hold a phone in the right spot on a wireless charger. Apple introduced MagSafe on the iPhone 12 in 2020. The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), the industry group behind the Qi wireless charging standard, built Qi2 around the same magnetic approach and launched it in November 2023. As of October 2026 the two work together, and this Phone Balls guide covers the two things worth checking on any listing, the wattage tier and whether the product is certified.

Why the magnets matter

Wireless charging moves power between two coils, one in the charger and one in the phone, and it works best when they're lined up. On an older flat Qi pad, alignment is up to you, and a phone that sits a little off-center charges slowly, warms up, or stops. A magnet ring snaps the coils into place every time. That's what makes higher wireless rates practical, and the same magnets hold wallets, stands, grips, and car mounts.

The wattage tiers

Qi2 launched at 15W. In July 2025 the WPC launched Qi v2.2.1, branded Qi2 25W, and the first chargers and phones completed 25W certification that month. A 25W charger still charges a 15W phone at that phone's own top rate, and older Qi phones without magnets charge at their usual lower rate if you line them up by hand.

These are the makers' own wireless figures for current phones.

Sources are Apple's spec pages for each iPhone, Samsung's Galaxy S26 comparison, and Google's Pixel comparison. For older iPhones, Apple's MagSafe charger page lists up to 22.5W on the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro and up to 15W on the iPhone 15 and earlier.

What the charger needs to reach its rating

A wireless charger can only pass on what its power adapter supplies, less what's lost as heat. Apple says its current MagSafe Charger needs a USB-C adapter of 30W or more, at 15 volts and 2 amps or higher, to reach 25W, while 15W on older models needs a 20W adapter. With a smaller adapter the charger still works, just more slowly. Apple also says to plug the charger into power before you set the phone on it, so it can confirm it's safe to deliver full power. Qi2 25W chargers from other brands list their own adapter requirement, and some include an adapter in the box. The USB-C fast charger guide explains adapter ratings.

Certified, compatible, and Qi2 Ready

The WPC says certified products carry "Qi2 Certified" on the product or packaging and appear in its certified product database, where you can search a brand and model number. A Qi2 25W record lists version 2.2.1, the MPP25 power profile, and a potential load power of 25.0. The WPC also warns that "Qi2 compatible" and "Qi2 enabled" on a listing mean the product isn't certified.

Qi2 Ready is a separate certification for phones without built-in magnets, such as Samsung's Galaxy S26 series, and for the cases made to pair with them. The phone handles Qi2 charging and the case supplies the magnets, so a Galaxy owner who wants a magnetic charger or mount to hold the phone needs a Qi2 Ready or magnetic case first. Samsung sells its own Magnet Case for the S26 series for the same reason.

Magnetic accessories beyond chargers

The magnet ring also holds wallets, grips, stands, and car mounts without adhesive, on any phone that has magnets built in or wears a magnetic case. Two cautions from Apple apply to all of them. Don't leave credit cards, key cards, or passports between an iPhone and a MagSafe charger, because the charger can damage magnetic strips and RFID chips, so take cards out of a wallet case before charging. Apple also advises against accessories with strong magnets or metal plates near the rear cameras, which can interfere with the lenses' image stabilization. The car mount guide covers what that means for magnetic mounts.

Magnetic power banks

Magnetic power banks use the same standards, and the same certification checks apply. They're convenient, but they charge a phone less efficiently than a cable from the same battery, since more energy turns into heat on the way. IATA's 2026 guidance to airlines also singles out wireless power banks built without proper quality control as a fire concern. The power bank guide covers capacity and the current airline rules.