The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), the group behind the Qi wireless charging standard, has announced a new version of the specification that promises faster and more powerful charging in future Qi-compatible devices.
The main new addition to this specification is the ability to deliver 15 watts of power through a Qi charger's inductive coils. The WPC claim this will increase the rate at which devices can be charged wirelessly, and while they aren't talking specifics about charging time, the group do compare this new standard to fast wired charging that provides 60 percent charge in 30 minutes.
Like with most updated specifications of this kind, it's not forwards compatible, meaning you won't be able to quickly charge your existing Qi-compatible devices by purchasing a new fast charging mat. However, it's expected that a range of upcoming smartphones, charging mats and other devices will integrate the faster Qi standard soon, and all will be backwards compatible with older Qi products.
Unfortunately, the WPC isn't talking specifics about when we'll see new devices hit the market with support for fast Qi wireless charging. This sort of technology was first shown off by Freescale Semiconductor late last year, so hopefully devices integrating this new Qi tech will hit the market towards the end of 2015.
https://www.techspot.com/news/61117-new-qi-specification-brings-faster-wireless-charging.html
