Wireless charging is a growing trend, but its applicability to smaller devices like earphones has been limited by bulky circuitry. Could Android 15 change that? Recent research suggests that NFC technology, traditionally used for data transfers, might hold the key to a new era of wireless charging.
Table of Contents
Android 15 NFC Wireless Charging Standard:
- The NFC Forum introduced the NFC Wireless Charging standard in 2020.
- This standard allows NFC-enabled devices to transmit up to 1 watt of electricity across a 2cm distance.
- Enables seamless power sharing between compatible gadgets.
- Use Cases and Potential:
- Ideal for powering wireless earbuds, smart trackers, and styluses.
- Eliminates the need for fiddly charging cases, proprietary docks, and bulky charging setups.
- Delay and Android 15 Integration:
- Lack of operating system support has hindered widespread adoption.
- Mishaal Rahman’s exploration of Android 15 Beta 1p reveals direct support for NFC Wireless Charging.
- Google appears to be integrating this technology into the core of its mobile OS.
- Samsung’s Role:
- Samsung’s potential adoption of NFC Wireless Charging could be industry-shifting.
- Possibilities include charging Galaxy Buds directly from Galaxy phones and wirelessly powering SmartTags.
- Limitations:
- While convenient, NFC Wireless Charging offers slower charging speeds compared to traditional methods.
- Hardware adoption and future iterations are necessary for widespread implementation.
- Timeline and Expectations:
- Anticipate NFC Wireless Charging integration into the final Android 15 build, likely in 2024.
- Device manufacturers like Samsung will need to implement this technology post-release.
