Qualcomm Unveils Wireless Charging Solution for Metal Phones

The company revealed that its new solution uses Qualcomm's WiPower technology, which is compliant with the Rezence standard. It claims this is the "first announced solution to support wireless charging for metal devices." Qualcomm has confirmed that the techniques for designing a device to charge through a metal rear panel cover alongside full suite of WiPower reference designs are now available to WiPower licensees.

It's worth noting that wireless charging technology was until now available to devices featuring plastic, polycarbonate, and rubber back cover and was not compatible with devices sporting a metal panel.

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The chipmaker in a press statement explained that until now WiPower, as well as other technologies using the Rezence standard, were able to operate at a frequency that was more tolerant of metal objects such as keys and coins that came within the charge field, saying these now did not affect the charging process. Qualcomm claimed that WiPower has now added the "ability to have the device itself made of metal." Notably, the WiPower's wireless charging is based on Near Field Magnetic Resonance technology.

Announcing the news, Steve Pazol, General Manager of Wireless Charging, Qualcomm Incorporated said, "Building a wireless charging solution into devices with metal exteriors is a significant step for moving the entire industry forward. Today, more device manufacturers are choosing to utilize metal alloys in their product designs to provide greater structural support and, of course, aesthetics. 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."

Some of the flagship smartphones in the market flaunting metal exterior include the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, HTC One M9, Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge among others.

Last month, Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), a Qi wireless charging standard group, announced updated specifications that would now support charging at up to 15 watts of power - the same offered by Qualcomm's wired Quick Charge 2.0 solution.