New AirPods Case Is Expected to Work with ANY Qi Wireless Charger

You may not need an AirPower wireless charging mat to keep all of your Apple devices and accessories charged up.

Reportedly, a new version of the AirPods case equipped with wireless charging capabilities will be compatible with any Qi charging mat, according to Apple supply chain sources cited by China-based news site Chongdiantou.

Apple teased its AirPower charging mat and its new AirPods case at its annual keynote last September. While the company said that the AirPods case would work with AirPower, it didn’t mention universal compatibility.

If this rumor turns out to be true, it means that AirPods owners will have a much larger variety of options when it comes to charging their next-generation cases.

Which Qi Wireless Chargers Are Best?

While the AirPods case will be a good companion to Apple’s AirPower charging mat, if Chongdiantou’s report is accurate, you could go for other options, which are all excellent choices.

• Belkin Boost Up
• Mophie Powerstation Wireless
• iPM 3-in-1 Fast Wireless Charging Pad
• Anker 10W Wireless Charger

Release Date

While Chongdiantou has an unverified track record, the Chinese publication did make headlines earlier this year by leaking the existence of a newly redesigned 18W USB-C power adapter. The publication, citing sources in the industry, also reported that AirPower could debut in September for $149.

Bloomberg reported back in June that Apple will release its AirPower wireless charging mat (which is based on the Qi standard) sometime in September. Presumably, the next-generation AirPods case with wireless charging will be rolled out simultaneously.

It’s not clear when exactly AirPower or the new AirPods case will drop, or how much either accessory will cost.

On the other hand, it’s likely that Apple will debut — or announce the launch date — of both accessories at its annual fall keynote next month.

The rumor is only the latest indication that Apple may be going all-in on Qi, which is a universal standard fielded and maintained by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC). Apple joined the WPC last year.

Apple’s first device with wireless charging was the Apple Watch, which used a proprietary derivative of Qi. Despite being based on the universal standard, Apple Watch devices aren’t currently compatible with most Qi charging mats. It is worth noting that last year’s iPhones are universally compatible.

[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]