A new Chinese law now regulates the maximum frequencies that wireless chargers must emit, impacting Apple’s MagSafe chargers and other manufacturers’ Qi2 chargers.
Apple introduced a new version of MagSafe for the iPhone almost four years ago. It first appeared on the iPhone 12 and has been included in subsequent models. Its effectiveness and positive reception have led to its implementation in the Qi2 standard. This will enable magnetic charging in a wide range of phones beyond Apple’s own devices.
However, in China, the use of certain phone chargers will be soon prohibited. For example, Apple’s 15 W MagSafe charger, which has been on sale since 2020, will be impacted. According to the Chinese news outlet South China Morning Post, this restriction is due to the frequency used by the charger and a new law coming into effect.
Say Bye to MagSafe if You Live in (or Travel to) China
MagSafe is the name that Apple gave to a magnetic charging technology introduced in 2006, initially used for recharging the MacBook battery. In 2020, this technology was incorporated into the iPhone, featuring a powerful magnet on the back that enables magnetic charging with specifically designed adapters, as well as compatibility with magnetic accessories such as wallets.
While wallets and other MagSafe accessories for iPhone aren’t at risk, the official Apple charger, which emits a radio frequency of 360 kHz and has a power of 15 W, is facing potential issues. The radio frequency is to blame.
Starting September 1, a new regulation in China will control the frequency bands allowed for wireless chargers used with smartphones and laptops. This regulation aims to “avoid harmful interference of radio operations,” such as essential communication systems in the aviation industry.
According to the new regulation, wireless chargers mustn’t exceed 80 W in power output, which the official Apple charger complies with. However, the restricted frequency bands do affect devices with frequencies of 100-148.5 kHz, which includes the Apple charger, 6,765-6.795 kHz and 13.553-13.567 kHz.
It’s important to note that Apple is already complying with Chinese regulations, given that the country’s website states that iPhones will only support a maximum power of 7.5 W and a frequency of 127.7 kHz. Therefore, it won’t be possible to sell or import a charger from abroad that exceeds these parameters.
However, it’s not entirely clear what happens if you have already purchased one of the affected chargers. Some media sources suggest that there should be no problems in using them as long as they were purchased before September 1, 2024. It also seems unlikely that the police will go from house to house to check how mobiles are being charged. In any case, the sales ban is clear and will affect all manufacturers.
Image | Apple (modified)
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