WHAT IS QI AND WHY IS QI CERTIFICATION IMPORTANT?
Qi (pronounced “chee”) is the world’s de facto wireless charging standard that can provide 5-15 watts of power to small personal electronics. Though it is primarily used to charge smartphones, it can also be easily used to provide power for a growing number of consumer devices. With more than 3,500 Qi-Certified products on the market today, Qi delivers a positive and safe wireless charging experience. The Wireless Power Consortium and its 650+ member companies are committed to continuing to grow this market by delivering differentiated and affordable products.
Qi Certification is the WPC’s product certification program for wireless charging devices. The WPC uses a network of independent authorized test labs around the globe that test specific properties for safety, interoperability, and usability, each of which can involve multiple test procedures. Only Qi-Certified products are allowed to carry the Qi logo.
Compatibility: By ensuring that all Qi-Certified devices work together, regardless of manufacturer, country of origin, version of the standard used, etc., the Qi standard ensures a consistent and simple user experience, where a Qi-Certified phone placed on a Qi-Certified charger will simply work.
Safety: The Qi standard includes a number of consumer safety precautions, including heat shielding and foreign object detection. Tests conducted by independent labs on non-certified products found that they can reach almost 200 degrees Fahrenheit—enough to cause up to a third-degree burns.
WHAT TYPES OF DEVICES WORK WITH QI?
Smartphones: There are currently hundreds of Qi-Certified products (receivers) available, including mobile phones with Qi built in from the majority of handset manufacturers around the globe. For older handset models, there are Qi-Certified protective covers and sleeves consumers can purchase at retailers.
With nearly 3,000 Qi-Certified smartphone chargers (transmitters) able to supply wireless power to those devices, consumers have a choice of wireless chargers that fit their needs.
Laptops: Laptop and tablet computers typically charge at 30 to 60 watts. WPC members are working to increase the power profile for the Qi standard to safely accommodate these higher power levels and allow consumers to use the same technology to charge both their laptops and mobile phones.
HOW TO TELL IF A PRODUCT IS QI-CERTIFIED
Only Qi-Certified products are allowed to carry the Qi logo on all products and packaging to show consumers that the product has passed all tests required for the certification.
