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Apple may be working on a new feature for the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro. According to a report by Chinese leaker Instant Digital, the company is currently testing a wireless reverse charging feature. This would allow the iPhone 17 Pro to wirelessly charge other Apple devices such as AirPods or the Apple Watch. However, it is still unclear whether the feature will actually be integrated into the final version of the iPhone.
There have been rumors for years that Apple is working on a wireless charging function that would allow the iPhone itself to serve as a power source for other devices. So far, this function is not available in Apple's smartphones, while some Android manufacturers have long offered it. The first approaches were made in 2021 with the MagSafe Battery Pack, which could pass on limited power to the iPhone via the Lightning port. But with the introduction of USB-C on the iPhone 15 and the discontinuation of the MagSafe Battery Pack, wireless power transfer has so far been absent. The new reports now give hope that this could change with the iPhone 17 Pro.
Apple tests 7.5-watt wireless reverse charging function
The well-known Weibo leaker Instant Digital reportedthat Apple is testing a 7.5-watt wireless charging function for the iPhone 17 Pro. With this power, it would be possible to charge smaller devices such as the AirPods or the Apple Watch. There is also speculation that a new MagSafe Battery Pack could also benefit from this technology. Although no official information is available on this topic, it is likely that the company has been working on such technology for years. As early as 2022, well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that Apple could develop a MagSafe Battery Pack with USB-C support. However, no such version has been released yet.
Why is this feature not available yet?
The idea of a wireless reverse charging function is not new. Some Android smartphones have been offering it for several years. However, Apple has so far decided not to integrate this technology into its devices. In 2021, the company launched the MagSafe Battery Pack for the iPhone 12 and newer models. This allowed limited energy transfer, but only when the iPhone was charged via the Lightning port. This limitation made the function impractical. With the introduction of the iPhone 15 and the switch to USB-C, the MagSafe Battery Pack was discontinued. Instead, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 series offer the option of charging smaller devices such as the Apple Watch or AirPods via the USB-C port with up to 4.5 watts. However, there is no wireless solution.
Is this feature really coming to the iPhone 17 Pro?
Although Apple is currently testing the feature, there is no guarantee that it will be included in the final version of the iPhone 17 Pro. Instant Digital emphasizes that Apple often tests new technologies before deciding whether they are ready for the market. It is therefore possible that the wireless reverse charging feature will not be introduced immediately with the iPhone 17 Pro or will be enabled in a later version via a software update. Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman had already hinted in September 2023 that Apple is working on new versions of the MagSafe Battery Pack with USB-C. However, he cautioned that users should not expect too much.
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Rumors about the iPhone 17 Pro: Is wireless reverse charging coming?
Apple is apparently testing a wireless reverse charging feature for the iPhone 17 Pro. This would allow AirPods, the Apple Watch or other compatible devices to be charged directly on the back of the iPhone. It is currently unclear whether this feature will actually be introduced. Apple has already tested new technologies internally several times in the past without actually releasing them. However, if the feature is implemented, it would be a useful addition to the Apple ecosystem. The official launch of the iPhone 17 Pro is expected in September. Until then, it remains to be seen whether Apple will actually announce reverse charging as a new feature. (Photo by Unsplash / Martin Sanchez)
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