Apple first announced it was releasing a wireless charging station last year, alongside the introduction of wireless charging capabilities to the iPhone range.
Apple’s AirPower charger is a smart dock capable of charging multiple devices at once. Pop down an iPhone, an Apple Watch, and a pair of AirPods, and watch all three regain battery life through the magic of Qi wireless charging. The iPhone will even display battery details for each device on its lock screen.
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Since then, it’s been all quiet on the wireless front, with no indication of when the product might finally see the light of day. In the meantime, customers who bought an iPhone 8, 8 Plus, or X have either been waiting patiently for an announcement or buying a third-party charger instead. (Or both.)
Now, though, insider sources from China have revealed that the AirPower charger is due pretty soon, and for a fairly hefty price tag. The report claims that it will be released next month for 1,000 yuan, which equates to just under $150. Our best guess would be a retail price of £149 in the US and £139 in the UK, but hopefully, it will be a little less.
Third-party chargers already exist for much lower prices, although they won’t be able to charge multiple devices at once and won’t integrate with the lock screen like AirPower does. We think the best charger released so far is, ironically, by Apple’s longstanding smartphone rival. It doesn’t look as nice or have all the bells and whistles, but at just $30, Samsung’s wireless charging pad will take some beating.
September is a strong favorite for the AirPower release date, and we’d expect Apple to confirm this at its upcoming event along with a suite of new iPhones. We’ve been waiting a full year now, Apple!