Rumor: iPhone 13 to Feature Larger Wireless Charging Coils, Possibly for Reverse Wireless Charging

Apple plans to include a "slightly bigger" wireless charging coil in this year's iPhone 13 lineup, which will not only yield improved heat management and higher wattage, but could be paving the way towards reverse wireless charging, according to a new rumor from Max Weinbach (via EverythingApplePro).

iphone 13 wireless charging coil

Image Credit: EverythingApplePro

According to the rumor, Apple plans to make the physical wireless charging coil in this upcoming ‌iPhone‌ larger, which would increase the surface area of where wireless charging can be induced. Weinbach had previously reported that the 2021 iPhones will feature stronger MagSafe magnets, which in today's rumor, he reiterates could be a reason behind the increased coil size.

Weinbach also speculates that the increased coil size could be used for reverse wireless charging, which would enable users to charge wireless charging compatible devices, such as AirPods, by placing them on the back of the ‌iPhone‌.

In February, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman stated that reverse wireless charging capabilities are unlikely to come to the iPhone in the "near future." Despite Apple holding off on officially announcing the feature, FCC filings for the 2020 ‌iPhone‌ revealed earlier this year that all models of the ‌iPhone‌ 12 lineup include the ability to reverse wirelessly charge other devices, such as AirPods (second generation), AirPods Pro, or newer Apple Watch models.

More recently, Bloomberg reported that Apple is planning reverse wireless charging capabilities for the next-generation iPad Pro in 2022. Reverse wireless charging does significantly drain a device's battery, and Apple may feel as though that the feature would make more sense in an iPad Pro, thanks to its larger battery, compared to an ‌iPhone‌.

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Top Rated Comments

incoherent_1 Avatar
58 months ago
It’s nice to have the option in a pinch, but if Apple really wants to be green, it should actively work to educate people on how wasteful (and therefore unenvironmentally friendly) wireless charging really is.
Score: 38 Votes (Like | Disagree)
contacos Avatar
58 months ago
No one needs to upgrade their iPhone every year anyway
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ian87w Avatar
58 months ago
I use cases on my phones that I don’t even use wireless charging if it’s available, let alone reverse wireless charging. I wonder how many people have actually used reverse wireless charging on a regular basis.

I hope those extra space for those coils is not being used as an excuse to minimize battery capacity.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kylo83 Avatar
58 months ago
I wish magsafe would carry data so could use it for CarPlay
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Morgenland Avatar
58 months ago
What a nightmare at Apple.
Now their reverse product managers have gain further ground against the only efficient and fast charging with cables.
Instead of a battery larger in dimension and capacity, those cable haters put in a larger coil. That is absurd!
I fear those managers with deep expertise in energy efficiency are shaking their heads if they are still there....

The issue of device space: If you do not want to integrate promising periscope telecameras and instead add cheap super wide-angle lenses, then this is really not a step forward. I had expected more from Apple. And now even the RWC freaks are getting a kick out of it. Very unpleasant stagnation at Apple.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple_Robert Avatar
58 months ago

No one needs to upgrade their iPhone every year anyway
With Apple it isn't always about need. Most of time it is simply about the want of Apple.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)