In the face of analyst claims that we’ve finally reached peak iPhone, Apple’s interest in exploring new and innovative mobile technologies remains as vibrant as ever. With the iPhone still accounting for the lion’s share of Apple’s quarterly revenue, it shouldn’t come as any surprise that a good deal of Apple’s R&D has a decidedly iPhone-oriented approach.
To that end, Bloomberg late on Thursday published an intriguing report indicating that Apple is working with partners to develop a completely new wireless charging technology that may wind up in a new iPhone model as early as next year.
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While wireless charging is of course nothing new, the report notes that Apple’s wireless charging scheme will be a bit more complex and practical insofar as its implementation may support the ability to charge devices at longer distances.
“Apple is exploring cutting-edge technologies that would allow iPhones and iPads to be powered from further away than the charging mats used with current smartphones,” the report reads. “The iPhone maker is looking to overcome technical barriers including loss of power over distance with a decision on implementing the technology still being assessed…”
With the report relaying that this rumored technology may see the light of day “as soon as next year”, it seems that we might have to wait until the iPhone 7s or iPhone 8 before Apple gets into the iPhone wireless charging game.
As to what type of ‘long-range’ distance we’re talking about here, Apple in the past has published patent filings detailing wireless charging technology capable of transferring power up to a distance of about 3 feet.
