Qi reigns as the standard for wireless charging after rival Powermat joins WPC

The world is another step closer to a single unified wireless charging standard, with news that Powermat has joined the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), developers of Qi wireless charging. Powermat is best known for developing the PMA/Airfuel standard — the only major outstanding rival to the dominant Qi brand. However, after Apple signed on to use Qi wireless charging for its iPhones last year, the battle has been pretty much over. Powermat joining the WPC is just signing the peace treaty.

Powermat says it will contribute its technology to the WPC’s work and continue to develop wireless charging tech which maintains backwards compatibility with Qi. In a press statement, Powermat CEO Elad Dubzinski said: “Qi has become the dominant wireless charging standard on the market and the recently launched Apple iPhone lineup is evidence of this success. Powermat will share technology innovation to further unlock wireless charging potential, and will expedite the growth of the wireless charging infrastructure.”

The writing has been on the wall for Powermat for a while. In September last year, Starbucks had to update its Powermat wireless chargers to support the iPhone X and iPhone 8, and by one estimate, the Airfuel Alliance — the industry group competing with Qi which Powermat spearheaded — has only 10 percent of wireless devices signed up to its brand. What’s bad news for Powermat, though, is good for consumers, as wireless charging becomes simpler and more straightforward.