In the world of smartphones, optimizing charging time is an ongoing race that evolves with each software update and technological innovation. The latest surprise comes from Apple with the update to iOS 17.4, which gives iPhone 12 users an unexpected charging advantage.
Since the introduction of Apple's MagSafe technology in 2020, with the debut of the iPhone 12, a lot has happened in the world of wireless charging. Positioned as a direct competitor to Qi charging, MagSafe offered a charging power of up to 15W and set new standards. But development does not stand still, and with the introduction of the Qi2 standard, which promises better compatibility with MagSafe, Apple has now found a way to give older devices a speed boost with iOS 17.4.
iPhone 12: The unexpected charging advantage
With the release of iOS 17.4, iPhone 12 owners are now experiencing a notable benefit when charging their device. Although the iPhone 12 did not originally reach the full charging speed of the new Qi2 standard, the update now enables faster charging than before. This is welcome news for anyone looking for more efficient charging methods without having to upgrade their device.
MagSafe and Qi2: A technological symbiosis
Apple's decision to integrate MagSafe technology into the new Qi2 standard was a smart move. While the iPhone 15 range supports this standard from the start, older models were initially left out. iOS 17.4 now changes this and expands compatibility by allowing older devices to benefit from the improvements of the Qi2 standard.
The results speak for themselves
According to a report According to Macworld, the iPhone 12 can be charged faster than ever after updating to iOS 17.4. Tests with non-MagSafe chargers showed that the iPhone 12 now charges faster and even the Qi2 symbol is displayed during the charging process. A direct comparison between an Apple MagSafe charger and an Anker Qi2 MagGi Wireless Charger illustrates the improvements: While the iPhone 12 Pro Max needed 38 minutes to charge from 0 to 30 % with the MagSafe charger, the Anker Qi2 Charger managed it in just 33 minutes.
Theoretical Considerations and Practical Results
In theory, a Qi2 charger should always be faster than an Apple MagSafe charger based on the older Qi standard. However, practice shows that thermal problems can affect charging speed during longer charging sessions. Nevertheless, the improvement in charging efficiency brought by iOS 17.4 is a significant step forward for iPhone 12 users.
iPhone 12 benefits from iOS 17.4
The update to iOS 17.4 brings an unexpected but extremely welcome benefit for iPhone 12 owners. By expanding compatibility with the Qi2 standard, users can now benefit from faster charging times without having to upgrade to newer models. This update underscores Apple's commitment to improving the user experience even on older devices and shows once again how important software updates are in the world of technology. (Photo by Unsplash / Daniel Romero)
