Updated July 2026.
Qi2 25W is the consumer-facing name for Qi specification version 2.2.1. The Wireless Power Consortium launched it in July 2025 as the next step after the original 15W Qi2 magnetic charging profile. In simple terms, it combines magnetic alignment with up to 25W potential load power for compatible products.
That short definition is useful, but it does not mean that every magnetic 25W charger is Qi2 25W certified. Certification belongs to a specific product record. The quickest check is the WPC product database, where a certified model has a Qi ID, version, product type, power profile and certification date.
Qi2, Qi2 25W and “magnetic wireless charging”
These terms often appear together, although they describe different things.
- Magnetic wireless charging is a broad product description. Magnets alone do not establish conformance to a Qi profile.
- Qi2 introduced a Magnetic Power Profile and 15W charging for certified compatible products.
- Qi2 25W extends that approach to 25W under the v2.2.1 program.
The product, receiver and input source negotiate power. A charger does not force 25W into every phone. An older or incompatible device may charge at a lower profile, may require a different alignment arrangement, or may not support the product at all.
Why magnetic alignment matters
Inductive charging works best when the transmitter and receiver coils are correctly positioned. Misalignment increases loss and heat, and it may cause charging to start and stop. The magnetic arrangement gives the user a more repeatable placement point. In a well-designed product, the mechanical click and the electrical sweet spot are the same location.
For engineers, that creates a combined mechanical and electrical task. The magnet ring cannot be positioned independently from the coil and ferrite. Camera bumps, phone cases, stands, hinges and decorative covers affect the final geometry. Attraction force also needs balance: strong enough to hold the intended device, but appropriate for removal, mounting method and accessory use.
What changes at 25W
Moving from 15W to 25W increases the importance of sustained thermal performance. Controller selection remains important, but the enclosure is part of the power system. A module tested in open air can behave differently when installed behind plastic, fabric, leather, glass or a vehicle trim panel.
A meaningful prototype report should include:
- input voltage, current and negotiated PD profile;
- receiver or battery-side power where it can be measured reliably;
- coil, PCB, connector and accessible surface temperatures;
- test duration and ambient temperature;
- phone model, battery state and case used;
- foreign-object and misalignment behaviour.
Does Qi2 25W replace earlier Qi products?
Not immediately. The installed market includes Basic Power Profile, Extended Power Profile and 15W Qi2 products. A new charger may need to support more than one use case. Compatibility should therefore be written as a device matrix, not as “works with all Qi phones.” The matrix should state the expected charging mode and any case, adapter or software conditions.
What certification covers—and what it does not
WPC testing focuses on conformance and interoperability for the Qi standard. A manufacturer may also need electrical safety, EMC, radio, chemical or energy-efficiency work depending on the product and market. Those requirements are not replaced by a Qi ID.
Likewise, using a certified component does not permit a finished product to borrow the component’s public identity. Buyers should request the Qi ID for the exact model being offered and compare the brand, manufacturer part number, profile and image with the quotation.
Choosing a development path
A finished consumer charger, a certified transmitter subsystem and a custom TX module solve different problems. A finished product is fastest when the industrial design already fits. A certified subsystem may shorten part of the engineering path. A custom module is appropriate when enclosure, input, coil location, firmware or host communication cannot be met by a standard design.
CowinLink supports all three conversations, but the project should begin with requirements rather than a board photo. Share the target devices, mechanical space, input source, thermal limit, market and certification objective through our project brief.
Primary reference: Wireless Power Consortium—Qi wireless charging.
