It is expected that markets such as parts and accessories that have to do with wireless charging will start to expand rapidly as Apple has decided to introduce wireless charging to its new iPhone. Although Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics introduced wireless charging to their Smartphones prior to Apple, it did not become overly popular. However because Apple has many loyal Apple users and has huge influence on industries, it is expected that its decision to apply wireless charging will trigger expansion of technologies related to wireless charging. In addition, it is likely that outlook of wireless charging technologies that have been competing to become the standard in related markets will start to change.
◊Apple Applies Qi to iPhone 8 and iPhone X
Apple held an event at its headquarters, which is in San Francisco, on the 12th (U.S. time) and announced that it will be introducing wireless charging to its new iPhones. It announced that it will be applying wireless charging technology called ‘Qi’ to iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X and that Qi will be compatible with wireless chargers that are out on markets.
‘Qi’ is a technical standard for magnetic induction method developed by an international wireless power standardization group called ‘WPC (Wireless Power Consortium’. WPC, which was established in 2008, establishes technologies that guarantee mutual compatibility and is planning to vitalize wireless charging technologies. So far it has 244 businesses as its members and it has South Korean businesses such as LG Electronics, Samsung Electro-Mechanics, and Koma-Tech as its members.
By joining WPC early this year, Apple gave a notice that it will be introducing wireless charging technology. Fact that Apple became a member of WPC indicated that it will be applying WPC’s technical standards.
However wireless charging industries were still doubtful. Because Apple has been emphasizing its own standards such as removing a 3.5mm earphone jack and selecting a lightning port, some believed that Apple is going to just utilize Qi technology and apply its own independent elements.
However situation is different for wireless charging as Apple is going with cooperation rather than its own work due to infrastructures. Wireless charger that sends power wirelessly is needed in order to charge a phone without a power cord. Charging can be easily done if these chargers are widely installed in airports, hotels, and cars. It is difficult for Apple to supply wireless chargers on its own.

Photo Image
<Picture of a new iPhone being charged wirelessly (Reference: Apple’s homepage)>

◊Size of Wireless Charging Markets to Become Bigger
Other Smartphone manufacturers also introduced wireless charging to their Smartphones. Starting with ‘Galaxy S6’ that was released in 2015, Samsung Electronics started including wireless charging as one of basic specifications of its flagship models.
As Samsung Electronics, which is the world’s biggest Smartphone manufacturer, started introducing wireless charging to its Smartphones, shipment of wireless charging transmitting modules in 2015 was increased by 160% compared to previous year.
However there was limitation in making wireless charging popularized as it was insufficient for Samsung Electronics alone to increase level of low recognition of consumers towards new technologies.
Because Apple has many loyal customers and its iPhone is the world’s most popular Smartphone, fact that Apple started applying wireless charging to its iPhones will act as an opportunity to increase propagation of wireless charging technologies.
“This is an important day for wireless charging.” said Vice-President Paul Golden of WPC. “Apple’s decision will accelerate use of wireless charging by consumers and induce innovations.”
Market research company called IHS is estimating that wireless charging markets will start to surge this year and that shipment of transmitting modules will be 325 million this year.
It is also likely that there will be changes in landscape of industries who were competing to have their standards to become the standards amongst markets. WPC and AirFuel Alliance (merger between PMA and A4WP) have been competing against each other in the past to establish their standards as the market standards and it seems that central axis of their competitions has shifted towards WPC with Apple’s decision.
◊Actual Transmission of Electricity for an iPhone by Wireless Charging to Be 7.5W
Currently WPC’s technology can send 15W of electricity wirelessly and this amount is almost identical to output of a wired charger of a Smartphone. With this amount of electricity, a Smartphone can be charged completely within an hour.
However this amount is limited to transmission as Smartphone manufacturers’ designs lower this amount.
“After considering possibility of heating and efficiency and performance of a phone, Smartphone manufacturers limit amount of electricity that is transmitted.” said Department Head Jung Sang-moon of Koma-Tech who is serving as the chairperson of WPC Korea Promotion.
Apple’s iPhone also receives only up to 7.5W of electricity wirelessly when it is being charged.
In order to implement wireless charging, a receiving module that receives electricity and a transmitting module that transmits electricity wirelessly are needed.
Receiving module is usually installed as a basic specification while transmitting module is made by variety of other businesses.
While receiving module has strong B2B (Business to Business) nature, transmitting module has strong B2C (Business to Consumer) nature like chargers and cables.
/Due to this reason, Apple’s decision is a positive news for Smartphone parts and accessories makers. This is the reason why Spigen Korea that makes Smartphone cases joined WPC to become a member of WPC.
Staff Reporter Yun, Keonil | benyun@etnews.com