Soon all (high-end) smartphones could be makeshift power banks

Apple could soon bring reverse wireless charging to its upcoming iPhones, allowing users to charge other smartphones or wireless headphones from their handset. By doing so, the Apple brand would be following a trend already well established among most Android smartphone manufacturers.

Reverse wireless charging could be coming to the next generation iPhone, according to the American website 9to5Mac. This technology makes it possible to supply power to a compatible device via wireless charging, simply by placing it on the back of the smartphone. This could be used to charge another smartphone, for example, but also wireless headphones.

This practical, but also ecological solution, does not necessarily require you to plug into the mains to recharge your connected devices. Still, this type of charging should be envisaged as a back-up solution, in case of emergencies or to help out a friend, especially because of its slowness compared to regular charging.

For a few years now, all the main high-end smartphones running Android, whether made by Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, Oppo or OnePlus, have offered reverse wireless charging.

The same goes for the latest Pixel handset from Google. They can therefore help charge any smartphone or connected device compliant with the Qi wireless charging standard. If the iPhone 15 was to be equipped with it, it could be used to charge other iPhones, but also an Apple Watch or AirPods.

When it comes to wireless charging, some manufacturers envisage taking the concept even further. For example, Motorola is working on a solution that will allow users to recharge their phone simply by being in the same room as the charger, without having to place it on top, thanks to millimeter waves of the same type as those used by 5G. The same goes for Xiaomi, which is working on a solution based on radio waves.