The QI2 Case for the Samsung Galaxy S25 is a small step towards magnetic accessory bliss

We’ve been waiting Be patient for more Android phones For full support QI2 wireless charging Standard, including phones with built-in magnets. And with Galaxy S25 phone lineSamsung is taking a small step towards that Submitting official cases This includes magnets, but does not integrate the magnets within the phone itself.

On the one hand, this could be a big breakthrough for Qi2 supplement marketnow that one of the world’s largest Android phone manufacturers has officially introduced support for many of the magnetic chargers, wallets, and camera drives it’s already sold for. iPhone compatible with Magsafe. But on the other hand, Samsung isn’t really offering anything “new” because third-party accessory makers have been making Galaxy phone cases with built-in magnets for years, offering casual compatibility with those same accessories.

Even older Samsung phones have supported the 15W wireless charging speed promised by QI2 (what Samsung has long called “Quick Wireless Charging 2.0”).

This phone box support reveal comes two weeks later CES 2025where Samsung and Google are committed to developing QI2 with their devices this year in joint statements with the Wireless Power Consortium. So, despite using phone cases to add magnets, Samsung and Google may eventually include support within the hardware of other devices slated for release this year or — at the very least — continue with that phone case strategy.

OnePlus has deployed a similar approach with The latest OnePlus 13 phone. The device itself supports wireless charging but lacks magnets, though the company sells cases with a built-in magnet ring for using the QI2 and other similar accessories.

However, I felt bad after two years Initial QI2 reveal in January 2023we just have HMD Skyline As the only Android phone so far to include internal magnets similar to the ones Apple has included since 2020 iPhone 12. It limits the growth of useful add-ons such as wallets, charging, and even Tripod holders Since you cannot use them from the moment you buy a new phone without purchasing a magnetic case.

But it’s not all bad news. Even if someone wants to use magnetic accessories with their Android phone and has to buy a special case, there are now a wealth of QI2 magnetic accessories on the market that are decreasing in price as the standard opens. While Magsafe certified Belkin Wireless Charger from Belkin It can still cost Apple up to $100, and there are now plenty of QI2 accessories that do the same thing. Adhesiveness inside Belkin, Similar two-in-one charger This supports QI2 charging and a 15W wireless magnet is available for $70 more expensive. You can also find cheaper QI2 accessories from many other brands with a simple search.

So QI2 extensions – which will work well across Android and iOS – are definitely available. Now it’s just an ongoing wait to see if first-party support will stick to the need for a special phone case, or if Samsung or Google will eventually put a phone that includes those magnets inside the device itself.