2019 iPhone: two-way wireless charging & 18W USB-C charger but still Lightning

Apple’s next iPhone models to be released in 2019 are thought to pick up a convenient feature akin to Samsung’s PowerShare found on the latest Galaxy S10 phones.

UPDATE: Mac Otakara on April 29, 2019 reiterated that this year’s iPhones will “likely” ship with a fast-charging 18W USB-C power adapter (like 2018 iPad Pros) and a Lightning to USB-C cable in the box.

The original article follows below.

Reliable Japanese blog Mac Otakara reported this past Friday, based on information received from unspecified Chinese supplier sources, that Apple’s next iPhone update might very well include a new bilateral wireless charging feature. It would let the phone wirelessly charge Qi-compliant devices such as an Apple Watch or a new wireless charging case for AirPods.

Ahead of Samsung’s February 20 Galaxy S10 press event, realiable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of TF International Securities predicted that 2019’s iPhones would support bidirectional wireless charging (along with larger batteries and other upgrades).

Kuo told clients that the upcoming phones would retain the Lightning port instead of using USB-C. Mac Otakara corroborated that information, adding that Apple might finally swap the slow-charging 5W USB power adapter with the 18-watt adapter for the 2019 iPhone models.

Here’s a look at the PowerShare feature on Samsung’s S10.

Currently, Apple’s 18-watt charger only ships with the new iPad Pro models introduced in 2018 (it’s also offered standalone for $29). It’s compatible with the USB Power Delivery protocol to support fast-charging, provides overcharge protections and more.

TUTORIAL: How to fast charge iPhone

Basically, the rumor implies that customers purchasing a brand new iPhone model this fall will be able to go from dead to fifty percent charge in about 30 minutes by using just the included charger and the Lightning to USB-C cable.

Apple’s 18-watt USB-C adapter that ships in the box with the new iPad Pro

Today, using the fast-charge feature with your iPhone 8 and later or iPad Pro requires buying a Lightning to USB-C cable from Apple, or a third-party, along with a USB-C charger.

Now, bidirectional Qi charging would be really cool.

I never thought I needed wireless charging until it arrived in my iPhone. But I’m smarter now—I can actually think of a bunch of situations where being able to quickly top up a low-powered device on the go, such as my watch or AirPod, would be very convenient.

On the other hand, topping up another device wirelessly would put an additional strain on your iPhone’s battery. In other words, using such a feature is inevitably going to deplete the battery faster, requiring more recharges and shortening its usable lifespan. I guess that’s one of the reasons why the next iPhone is rumored to have larger batteries.

2019 models will reportedly include the same 5.8, 6.1 and 6.5 -inch screen sizes, indicating successors to the current iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR lineup.

Would you like lateral wireless charging in your iPhone?