Apple continues to work on integrating the so-called reverse charging function in the iPhone. This was actually planned for earlier generations of smartphones, but was not implemented. With this technology, it would be possible to wirelessly power accessories such as AirPods or the Apple Watch by placing them on the back of the iPhone
Been on Android for a long time
Reverse charging is not a new development in the Android world and has been offered by Samsung and other manufacturers for years. At Apple, the first indications of this appeared during the presentation of the MagSafe Battery Pack in summer 2021. If this battery is attached to the iPhone from generation 12, the smartphone can charge the external battery if a power supply unit is plugged into the iPhone (and not into the battery pack) via a Lightning cable.
However, this is only possible with the battery pack; other devices such as said AirPods, the Apple Watch or Qi-enabled components do not get any juice from the iPhone. This reverse charging of the MagSafe Battery Pack only works when the iPhone is plugged in. As 9to5Mac now writes, Apple is still planning to implement “real” reverse charging. For this, however, certain further changes seem to be necessary.
Planned for the iPhone 14 Pro
According to the report, reverse charging should actually be part of the iPhone 14 Pro. The deadline was then torn. Necessary components have been in the devices since the iPhone 12, as Apple documents to the US communications authority FCC show. But Apple’s ambitions are obviously bigger. Similar to MagSafe accessories, there should be sounds and animations that accompany reverse charging use.
Apple also needs to ensure charging speeds, charging efficiency, and heat dissipation work. There is also work on a special firmware called “Wireless Power Out”. It remains to be seen whether this means that Apple will later be able to enable reverse charging for older devices – it is more likely that the feature will be reserved for new iPhone models.
(bsc)
