Apple has joined the Wireless Power Consortium, fuelling rumours of wireless charging for the iPhone 8.
The Wireless Power Consortium is an industry group committed to making wireless charging an availability across the market. With Apple’s addition to the member list last week, the previous rumours regarding the flagship mobile device have been given further credence.
The wireless charging method developed by the consortium is known as a Qi charger and works by users placing their device onto a charging pad, which in turn needs to be connected to the mains or other power source.
The iPhone 7 doesn’t currently use Qi charging, like several models from it’s competitor Samsung, and the Apple Watch uses it’s own proprietary wireless charger. It remains to be seen whether or not the iPhone 8 will make use of a standard charger, a Qi wireless charger, or possibly Apple’s own proprietary wireless system.
A statement from Apple said “Apple is an active member of many standards development organisations, as both a leader and contributor. Apple is joining the Wireless Power Consortium to be able to participate and contribute ideas to the open, collaborative development of future wireless charging standards. We look forward to working together with the WPC and its members.”
Apple, known for it’s secrecy, has yet to release any details regarding the latest iteration of its phone series, but wireless charging is beginning to seem like a very distinct possibility.
Dan Bladen, CEO and Co-Founder of wireless charging service Chargifi, said: “We welcome the news that Apple may be seriously looking at wireless charging in their next generation of devices. Our research indicates that mobile users are starting to see wireless charging as a utility.”
“If one of the world’s greatest technology businesses is building wireless power into their systems, this will accelerate the forecast of a $37.2bn industry by 2022.”
Currently the iPhone 8 is expected to launch in fall of 2017.
