Will iPhone finally get inductive charging?
Article By : Carolyn Mathas
MacRumors is "reporting" that the next iPhone will have inductive charging just like Samsung. If true, this could boost the iPhone's appeal and market.
As usual, rumours are rife around Apple products, some of them probably to goad the company in the desired direction. MacRumors now reports that the next iPhone models this summer will have wireless charging on board.
Using the same concept as Samsung’s integrated wireless charging capabilities, iPhone users will finally be able to shed the add-on solutions that enable inductive charging and not have to choose between alternating port use for charging and headphones, which has been a bit of a pain point.
No doubt the move will enhance the wireless charging numbers in a market that, according to Research and Markets’ recent report on wireless charging, is slated to grow at CAGR of 44.7% between 2016 – 2022. Per the research firm, the market holds great potential in electronics and automotive segments.
Like Apple, automotive manufacturers are in the process of incorporating inductive charging capabilities within the vehicle itself rather than into the charging stations. Mercedes, for example, announced that its next-gen Mercedes S-Class plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) will feature wireless charging using Qualcomm technology.
Wireless charging technology yields a variety of benefits over traditional cable connectors, including high efficiency, safety, greater reliability, and speed. Applications include smartphones and automotive, but also healthcare, aerospace, and defense and industrial use.
Charging methods that make up the revenues include inductive, resonant, radio frequency (RF), and others. Inductive charging provided the highest wireless charging market share in 2015, however, advances in RF, laser, microwave, and others will contribute to growth in the future. Geographically, major markets include North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA (Latin America, Middle East & Africa) and top players are Samsung, Qualcomm, Texas Instruments, Integrated Device Technology, Sony, Murata, and more.