New Qualcomm WiPower Wireless Charging Works W/ Metal Devices

Srgnt_Ballistic · July 28, 2015

Source: Techno Buffalo

Original Source:

Image Source: CNET

So one major hold up with wireless charging becoming ubiquitous for all major flagship devices is that current implementations don't work with metal body devices. This is one reason the glass backed Samsung Galaxy S6 (Edge) features the technology while other high end devices like the HTC M Series and iPhone do not (Apple probably wouldn't be willing to spare the extra couple mm of thinness anyway).

But Qualcomm has apparently made a technical breakthrough which allows charging devices through their metal shells. This is part of their "WiPower" wireless charging technology. They demoed this with a video (below) showing multiple devices charging in the same charging area, one of which has a metal body.

They will be licensing the technology so it's likely we'll see it on the likes of Samsung and LG flagships soon (Maybe an appearance at Samsung's upcoming event?). Samsung has answered many customers requests and increased their build quality with quality materials. Will the next Galaxy S devices possibly have a full metal body? Will it mean that iPhone users will be able to ditch the bulky aesthetic killing wireless charging cases in order to enjoy tether-free charging? This may not be a "killer feature" but with the parity in the high-end mobile market small things like this can often make a difference when picking between two very similar devices.