Rumor Claims 'AirPower Isn't Dead' After Ming-Chi Kuo Says Apple Working on 'Smaller Wireless Charging Mat'

Nearly a year after canceling its AirPower wireless charging mat, Apple has resumed development of the project, according to YouTuber and leaker Jon Prosser. However, there is no guarantee that the accessory will ever be released.

airpoweriphone8
Prosser claims that Apple engineers are attempting to redesign the mat's charging coils to displace heat more effectively, adding that prototyping is underway. Apple only said that the AirPower failed to achieve its high standards, but rumors suggested that the mat experienced issues with heat management and interference.

AirPower would have been able to charge an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods case simultaneously, regardless of each device's position on the mat. The battery percentage of each device would have shown up on the iPhone's lock screen while charging.


Apple first previewed the ‌AirPower‌ in September 2017 at Steve Jobs Theater, shortly after introducing the iPhone X, and said that it would be released by the end of 2018. Apple failed to deliver on that promise and ultimately canceled the mat in March 2019. At the time, Apple said it remained "committed to push the wireless experience forward."

Prosser has shared accurate Google leaks in the past, but he has only recently pushed more into Apple rumors, so his track record is limited on that front.

A few months ago, well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo forecasted that one of Apple's major new hardware products in the first half of 2020 would include a "smaller wireless charging mat," but he did not provide any further details and that timeframe may have changed due to the ongoing pandemic. It is unclear if the mat would have AirPower branding.

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Top Rated Comments

PickUrPoison Avatar
72 months ago

my God, enough with this already.
If you’re not into rumors, you’re at the wrong place...
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
I7guy Avatar
72 months ago

Qi charging sucks. It's slow, wasteful, makes your phone burning hot, bad for your battery, and potentially dangerous.
And astoundingly convenient.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cmaier Avatar
72 months ago

Not really. Kind of the opposite, actually.

If you can plug in a Qi charger, you can plug in a lightning cable.

How is it more convenient?
Just put the phone down and it charges. Pick it up and go. Versus plugging it in and unplugging it (and potentially chasing the wire around when it falls off your nightstand, etc.)
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
I7guy Avatar
72 months ago

Not really. Kind of the opposite, actually.

If you can plug in a Qi charger, you can plug in a lightning cable.

How is it more convenient?
That’s the point, one doesn’t have to plug a cable into the phone to charge it. I find that convenient. Ymmv.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Justin Cymbal Avatar
72 months ago
I would definitely like to see Apple come out with an AirPower charging mat that works better than the 3rd party ones

I know so many other Apple users that have AirPods, Watch & iPhone that would buy this...
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Eli_m Avatar
72 months ago
my God, enough with this already.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)