Called Qualcomm WiPower, the technology is not based on the well-known Qi and PMA standards, instead relying on a newer wireless charging standard known as Rezence. First demoed in January this year, Rezence is developed by the Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP), which includes many important members like Samsung, Intel, Microsoft, LG, Asus, Lenovo, Motorola, and – of course – Qualcomm.
WiPower operates “at a frequency that is more tolerant of metal objects”, allowing all-metal devices (including smartphones) to be wirelessly charged “at speeds equal to or faster when compared to” non-metal devices using other wireless charging technologies. Thanks to the Rezence standard, WiPower also lets devices charge wirelessly even without direct physical contact. Moreover, multiple devices can be charged at the same time.
It’s not exactly clear when we’ll see smartphones and other devices using WiPower on the market, but it could happen pretty soon.
