iPhone 12 may have reverse wireless charging after all

(Image credit: Future)

In recent years phones have gone beyond simply being able to charge wirelessly. They've evolved to become wireless charging pads themselves, capable of charging other phones, earbuds or smartwatches.

Despite rumors to the contrary, Apple didn't denote that the iPhone 12 has opposite wireless charging. But according to an FCC filing, the feature might really be there. Yous but tin't employ it.

iPhone 12 vs iPhone 12 Pro: What'southward dissimilar?
All the best iPhone 12 and 12 Pro pre-order deals
Plus: WhatsApp has a killer feature on the style

The iPhone 11 was supposed to come with reverse wireless charging, but reports claimed that the feature was scrapped before launch considering it didn't live up to Apple'southward ain standards. Likewise iFixit's teardown revealed some of the components for a reverse wireless charging arrangement were there, only the whole thing remained unfinished.

A new MagSafe characteristic was hidden in Apple FCC filings: "In addition to being able to be charged by a desktop WPT charger (puck), 2020 iPhone models also support WPT charging office at 360 kHz to charge accessories [including] an external potential apple tree accessory in time to come."October 28, 2020

Encounter more

The FCC filing, start discovered by VentureBeat's Jeremy Horwitz, reveals that the iPhone 12 works with standard Qi chargers and a "new charging function at 360 kHz" which can recharge accessories. Sounds a lot like contrary wireless charging to us, admitting translated into boring technical speak for the regulators.

The only question we have is if information technology actually is in that location, why hasn't Apple told u.s.a. about it? Information technology's been speculated that Apple could have held back in anticipation of a new pair of MagSafe-compatible AirPods. Be it the AirPods 3, AirPods Pro 2, or even some new charging case for existing earbuds.

AirPods Pro 2 aren't expected until late 2021 at the earliest, nonetheless. It would be an odd conclusion to wait until the launch of the iPhone 13 before unlocking a feature built into the iPhone 12. But then over again, stranger things have happened.

No doubt contrary wireless charging, if it really is functional, can be unlocked later through a software update. And so we only have to wait for Apple to decide whether the iPhone 12 tin pull off this functionality or not.

Tom is the Tom's Guide's Automotive Editor, which means he can usually be plant human knee deep in stats the latest and all-time electrical cars, or checking out some sort of driving gadget. Information technology's long way from his days as editor of Gizmodo UK, when pretty much everything was on the table. He'southward usually constitute trying to squeeze another behemothic Lego set onto the shelf, draining very large cups of coffee, or complaining that Ikea won't let him buy the stuff he really needs online.