Wireless charging for smartphones and other devices housed in metal exteriors could soon become standard courtesy of a new Qualcomm technology.Qualcomm has announced that it has become the first company to enable wireless charging for metal devices, employing existing WiPower technology, which it states is designed to be compliant with the Rezence standard.
As described by Qualcomm, WiPower, along with other technologies that meet the Rezence standard, operate at a frequency more tolerant of metal objects that come within the charge field.
“Up to now, this meant one could typically have objects such as keys and coins in the charge field and not affect the charging process,” Qualcomm states. “Today, WiPower has added the ability to have the device itself made of metal.”
The tech is now available for WiPower licensees, meaning upcoming smartphones in metal cases could be sporting the ability for wireless charging.
Steve Pazol, Qualcomm general manager of wireless charging, has described it as “a significant step for moving the entire industry forward”.
“Today, more device manufacturers are choosing to utilise metal alloys in their product designs to provide greater structural support and, of course, aesthetics,” Pazol commented.
“QTIs engineering advancement eliminates a major obstacle facing wireless power and opens up the continued adoption of this desirable feature to a much wider range of consumer electronics and use cases.”
