Samsung launched a Qi-2 device, and we didn’t know it!

Qi2 was first announced in January 2023 and released in April of the same year. However, it is rather surprising that no major Android device supports Qi2 other than the HMD Skyline. At least, that is what we knew, until today. As it appears Samsung has already launched a Qi2-certified device this year, but everyone was unaware of it. No, it’s not the Galaxy S24 or Z Flip/Fold 6 series. Rather, it is the Samsung Galaxy Ring that has received Qi2 certification.

The WPC listing reveals Qi2 certification of the Samsung Galaxy Ring

The Galaxy Ring is Samsung’s first-ever product that received Qi2 certification for wireless charging. For those unaware, Qi2 is an evolution of the Qi wireless charging standard developed by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC). George Economo first noticed the presence of the Galaxy Ring in the WPC database which Android Authority later reported today.

As you can see in the screenshot attached, the listing reveals that the Galaxy Ring has the 2.0.0 version of the Qi wireless charging standard. In other words, this also means that the Galaxy Ring supports Qi2 charging. But, let’s be clear that Qi2 charging doesn’t mean magnetic charging. And, that’s exactly the case with the Galaxy Ring too.

Although Samsung mentions that there are three ways to charge the Galaxy ring, it hasn’t used the word “magnetic” anywhere. When the folks over at Android Authority tried attaching the Galaxy Ring’s charging case to many MagSafe or Qi2 chargers, the case didn’t magically snap. This confirms that there are no magnets in the charging case of the Galaxy Ring whatsoever.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if we see Qi2 devices without magnetic charging in the future as well

Apart from revealing the Qi2 certification, the WPC listing also spills the maximum input power of the Galaxy Ring’s charging case ie 5W. No doubt, the power stands nowhere compared to a smartphone’s wireless charging power. But, it is justifiable given the tiny battery of the Galaxy Ring (review here).

Since the WPC listing has confirmed that the Galaxy Ring is Qi2 certified, there’s a key thing to note. In the coming days, don’t be amazed if you see Qi2-certified devices that don’t have a MagSafe-like magnetic charging mechanism.