MagSafe vs Qi2 vs Qi: which wireless charger for your iPhone?

Three names, one idea

All three charge your iPhone through the back with no cable plugged into the phone. The differences are magnets, speed and who owns the standard.

	Qi	Qi2	Qi2 25W	MagSafe (Apple)
Who makes the standard	Wireless Power Consortium (WPC)	WPC	WPC	Apple
Magnets to line it up	No	Yes (“Magnetic Power Profile”)	Yes	Yes
Top speed on iPhone	Up to 7.5W in many cases (Apple)	15W	25W on iPhones Apple rates at 25W	Up to 25W on the newest iPhones
iPhones	iPhone 8 and later	iPhone 12 and later (Apple’s compare page), except iPhone 16e	iPhone 16 and later models Apple rates above 15W	iPhone 12 and later, except iPhone 16e

Apple doesn’t use the name “Qi2.2”. Its spec pages say “Qi2 wireless charging up to 25W”. The WPC’s name for that version is Qi2 25W (technically Qi v2.2.1, launched July 2025). The WPC says Qi2 25W can take a phone “from 0 to 50% in about 30 minutes”.

How fast is my iPhone wirelessly?

From Apple’s MagSafe Charger article and spec pages (your device page shows your model):

25W: iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, 16 Plus, 16 Pro Max, and iPhone Duo (per its spec page)
22.5W: iPhone 16 and 16 Pro
20W: iPhone Air
15W: iPhone 17e, and iPhone 15 and earlier MagSafe models
12W: iPhone 12 mini and 13 mini
Qi speeds only (no magnets): iPhone 16e, iPhone 11 models, iPhone SE and older Qi iPhones

Those top speeds need the right power adapter behind the charger. Apple recommends “a recommended 30W or greater” USB-C adapter for 25W MagSafe charging, and 20W or more for the 15W tier. The MagSafe Charger still works on as little as 12W, but charges more slowly. The WPC says a 25W station “needs a 30–40W or larger power adapter to reach full speed”.

Things that slow wireless charging down

Wired accessories plugged in: if you plug in USB-C headphones while charging wirelessly, Apple limits charging. It’s 16W on iPhone 18 Pro, 10W on 17 Pro and 7.5W on the iPhone 16 family.
Thick, metal or battery cases can slow or stop wireless charging. Apple suggests removing them if charging is slow.
Cards and key fobs: don’t put them between the phone and charger. Apple warns it can damage magnetic strips and RFID chips.
Order matters: Apple says to plug the MagSafe Charger into power before putting the iPhone on it.
If a cable and MagSafe are both connected, the iPhone charges through the cable.

Cases

Apple’s MagSafe cases have magnets built in. Apple says you can leave the case on and use a MagSafe charger, or a “Qi2 25W or Qi-certified charger”. For third-party cases, look for the maker saying “MagSafe compatible” or “Qi2”. Without magnets in the case, a magnetic charger won’t hold.

AirPods and Apple Watch

MagSafe and Wireless Charging Cases for AirPods charge on Qi mats and MagSafe chargers. Put the case down with the status light facing up and the lid closed. Apple says the AirPods Pro 2 and Pro 3 MagSafe cases, and the AirPods 4 (ANC) and AirPods 5 Wireless Charging Cases, also charge on an Apple Watch charger. Apple Watch itself needs its own magnetic charger. A MagSafe pad won’t charge it. That’s why 3-in-1 stands have a separate watch puck.

Buying tips

“Qi2 certified” is the phrase to look for. The WPC says certified products appear in its public database. For Qi2 25W, the database lists Version 2.2.1, power profile MPP25 and 25.0W load power.
Check whether a power adapter is included and what wattage the charger maker asks for.
On 3-in-1 stands, check the watch puck is a fast charger if your Apple Watch supports fast charging.

Browse MagSafe & Qi2 chargers. Pick your iPhone in the filter to hide anything that won’t work.

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