Digitimes reported on Friday, March 8 that Apple and Samsung are ready to bring their flagship smartphones to market during this year and both will be introducing wireless charging capabilities. Here are the exact words from that report, “Following the steps of Nokia, LG Electronics and HTC, Samsung Electronics and Apple are expected to add wireless charging capability to their flagship models in 2013, according to industry sources […] Apple is likely to adopt the wireless charging technology developed internally, but it remains unknown if the next-generation iPhone will come with built-in wireless charging capability or with other attached accessories, said the sources.”
Prior to this report we have come across several rumours according to which Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 5S during this year and if we look at the history of the Californoia-based tech giant it has always tweaked its ‘S’ phones rather than bringing any major changes to them. Therefore, it is highly likely that iPhone 5S will come with hardly any changes in the design, but it will boast a better processor, camera and possibly a fingerprint reader and aluminium cover. This cover is the key to wireless charging according to reports.
However, all these reports do not sound real because Qi charging or ‘attached accessories’ for the iPhone have been available in the market from 2010. Moreover, Senior Vice President of Apple, Phil Schiller, also down played wireless charging when his company launched the iPhone 5 last year.
On that occasion Schiller stated that “the wireless charging systems still have to be plugged into the wall, so it’s not clear how much convenience they add. The widely-adopted USB cord, meanwhile, can charge in wall outlets, computers and even on airplanes.”
He also said that, “Having to create another device you have to plug into the wall is actually, for most situations, more complicated.”
In the light of these facts, it is believed that the alleged reports of wireless charging for the next iPhone are incorrect, but at this point in time nothing can be said for sure because 2013 is a year that will be full of surprises. Apple has never compromised on quality in order to capture market share but new reports state that the company is willing to make a cheaper iPhone to capture the developing markets. If this is possible than wireless charging may be possible.
Source: 9to5Mac
Photo: MacRumours