The Qi (pronounced chee) standard is a inductive power transfer (IPT) technology. The standard is developed for smartphones and other mobile devices. Transmitter and receiver are placed in close proximity to each other (cm). This close coupling is essential for maximizing efficiency. To further enhance efficiency, the Qi standard incorporates technology-specific features. These features are discussed in detail later in this article. Today, there are more than 11,000 Qi Certified products on the market.
The Qi standard was developed by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) and was first introduced in July 2010 with Version 1.0. WPC is an open standards development group that collaborates with electronics and technology companies. Today, the consortium consists of over 300 member companies worldwide, including major technology firms such as Apple, Samsung, Google, and Meta
The Qi standard has been updated several times over the years to improve performance, compatibility, and efficiency:
All previous improvements of the Qi standard resulted in several key advantages. The updated list of these technology-specific features are:
Other WPT technologies include the AirFuel Alliance standard (formerly Power Matters Allicance). and its magnetic resonance-based approach. While these alternatives offer benefits such as longer-range charging, the Qi standard remains the most widely adopted due to its efficiency, compatibility and strong industry support.
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