Samsung's absence threatens to make Qi2 just an Apple feature
In the ongoing effort to bring order to the fragmented world of wireless charging, Belkin has released one of the first consumer products built around the Qi2 standard — a three-device stand that charges iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods simultaneously for $149.99. Qi2 was conceived as a universal language for wireless power, borrowing Apple's magnetic alignment philosophy and extending it across the broader smartphone world. Yet even as accessory makers place their bets on this shared future, Samsung's refusal to adopt the standard in its Galaxy S24 line reminds us that technological unity is rarely achieved by design alone — it must be chosen, repeatedly, by those with the most to gain from holding out.
- Belkin's BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 stand arrives as one of the earliest commercial products to fully commit to Qi2, signaling that the accessory industry is moving forward even as the standard's universality remains unresolved.
- The stand delivers 15W to Qi2 phones, fast charging to Apple Watch Series 7 and later, and 5W to AirPods — all from a single T-shaped base built with over 75% recycled materials.
- Samsung's decision to exclude Qi2 from the Galaxy S24 lineup has cracked the foundation of what was meant to be a cross-platform charging standard, leaving its future dependent on choices not yet made.
- Every iPhone back to the 13 already supports Qi2, meaning the standard has a substantial installed base — but one that risks making it feel like an Apple feature wearing a universal badge.
- Accessory makers like Belkin are wagering that broader Android adoption will follow, but the standard's true test lies ahead, not in the products already on shelves.
Belkin has released the BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand with Qi2, now available at $149.99. It's a three-zone T-shaped stand that charges a Qi2-enabled phone at 15W — at an adjustable angle suited for active use — while a second elevated pad handles fast charging for Apple Watch Series 7 and later, and a base pad delivers 5W to AirPods or similar devices. The stand is built from at least 75 percent post-consumer recycled materials and comes in black or white.
This is Belkin's third multi-device charging stand, but its first to incorporate Qi2 — a standard designed to unify wireless charging across both iOS and Android by adopting the magnetic alignment system at the heart of Apple's MagSafe. First announced at CES in January, the product represents a broader industry bet that Qi2 will become the common currency of wireless power.
That bet carries real risk. Samsung chose not to include Qi2 support in its Galaxy S24 lineup, a significant blow given the company's global market share. If other major Android manufacturers follow suit, Qi2 could end up as little more than a rebranded Apple ecosystem feature — the opposite of its founding intent. For now, every iPhone since the 13 supports the standard, giving Qi2 a meaningful foothold. Belkin is also preparing to launch an Auto-Tracking Stand Pro in March 2024, a rotating iPhone mount for video recording, also priced at $149.99. The company is moving forward, but the standard's future will be written by the manufacturers who have yet to decide.
Belkin has released its BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand with Qi2, a three-device charging station that launched on Tuesday and is now available for order at $149.99. The stand represents one of the first consumer products to embrace Qi2, the wireless charging standard that borrows heavily from Apple's MagSafe technology by embedding magnets into both the phone and the charging surface itself.
The stand's design is straightforward: a T-shaped base with three distinct charging zones. The primary mat, positioned at an angle you can adjust, delivers 15W of power to any Qi2-enabled iPhone or compatible Android phone—enough to watch videos, read messages, or video chat without the device lying flat. Next to it sits a second elevated mat built specifically for Apple Watch Series 7 and later models, including both versions of the Apple Watch Ultra, with fast charging capability. At the base, a third mat provides 5W of power for AirPods or other small devices. The entire accessory is constructed from at least 75 percent post-consumer recycled materials.
Qi2 itself is the story worth understanding. The standard was designed to unify wireless charging across the smartphone world—both iOS and Android devices—by adopting the magnetic alignment system Apple created for MagSafe. In theory, this should mean that whether you own an iPhone or a Samsung, a Google Pixel or a OnePlus, you could use the same charging accessories. That vision has already fractured, however. Samsung declined to include Qi2 support in its flagship Galaxy S24 lineup, a decision that undermined hopes for rapid, universal adoption. Still, every iPhone dating back to the iPhone 13 supports the standard, and accessory makers like Belkin are moving forward with Qi2 products regardless.
Belkin first announced the BoostCharge Pro at CES in January before releasing it this week. The stand comes in black or white. It's the third iteration of Belkin's multi-device charging stand, but the first to incorporate Qi2. The company is also preparing to launch an Auto-Tracking Stand Pro in March 2024, a separate product designed to hold an iPhone while rotating and tilting to keep the camera centered during video recording, also priced at $149.99.
The real question hanging over Qi2's future is whether Android manufacturers beyond Apple will adopt it. Samsung's absence from the standard is significant—the company controls a substantial share of the global smartphone market. If other major Android makers follow Samsung's lead, Qi2 risks becoming primarily an Apple ecosystem feature, which would defeat its original purpose. For now, accessory makers are betting that adoption will broaden, and products like Belkin's stand represent that wager.
Notable Quotes
Qi2 is expected to unite wireless charging for iPhone and Android, but Samsung skipping it in the Galaxy S24 dealt these hopes a serious blow.— Belkin product positioning
The Hearth Conversation Another angle on the story
Why does it matter that Belkin is making a Qi2 charger? Isn't wireless charging already solved?
Qi2 is supposed to solve the fragmentation problem. Right now, every phone maker has their own charging standard. Qi2 was meant to be the universal answer—one charger for everyone. But Samsung just said no to it.
So this Belkin stand only works with certain phones?
It works with any Qi2 phone, which includes all recent iPhones. But if you have a Galaxy S24, you're out of luck. That's the problem. The standard can't unify anything if the biggest Android maker doesn't participate.
Is Belkin betting on something that might fail?
They're betting that Samsung's decision is temporary, or that other Android makers will fill the gap. But yes, there's real risk here. If Qi2 becomes just an Apple thing, it's not really a universal standard anymore.
What makes this stand different from other multi-device chargers?
The magnets. Qi2 uses magnetic alignment, so your phone snaps into place perfectly every time. You can adjust the angle for viewing. It's not revolutionary, but it's more thoughtful than just laying devices flat on a pad.
And the price—$149.99—is that competitive?
For a three-device stand with Qi2 and fast charging for Apple Watch, it's reasonable. Not cheap, but not outrageous either. The real cost is whether you're buying into a standard that might not survive.