Regulatory Filings Point to 45W MagSafe Charging for iPhone 17, Doubling Current Speeds

Apple enthusiasts tracking the evolution of MagSafe charging received notable news this week. Multiple reputable sources, including filings with Taiwan’s NCC regulatory authority as cited by 91mobiles, indicate that Apple has produced two new MagSafe chargers (model numbers A3502 and A3503) designed to support the next-generation Qi 2.2 wireless charging standard. This development, although not formally announced by Apple, suggests that the upcoming iPhone 17 may support wireless charging at up to 45W—nearly double the peak output of current hardware.

Qi 2.2: Significantly Faster Wireless Charging

According to Bloomberg and further reporting by 9to5Mac, the new chargers are a substantial technical step up from the existing 25W models introduced with the iPhone 16. Qi 2.2, the latest revision of the wireless charging industry standard, provides for up to 50W maximum speed. Regulatory filings show Apple’s updated MagSafe pucks are rated to deliver up to 45W, a figure comfortably above today’s 25W but just below the theoretical ceiling for Qi 2.2.

The chargers themselves remain familiar in shape—a round, 100mm puck with options for 1m and 2m USB-C cables. This consistency in design is notable, maintaining the ecosystem compatibility Apple has prioritized since introducing MagSafe in 2020 with the iPhone 12. Backward compatibility tests filed with regulators included iPhones from the 11 through 16 series, but only future devices such as the iPhone 17 are expected to take full advantage of the higher charging speeds, contingent on updated internal hardware.

Assessing the Upgrade: Industry Trend and Apple’s Strategy

If realized, the jump to 45W would exceed charging speeds available on any previous iPhone and address a long-standing user demand for faster wireless top-ups. Additionally, Qi 2.2 brings improvements in magnetic alignment and energy efficiency—areas Apple has consistently cited as crucial for user experience and device longevity. These advancements represent alignment with broader industry trends. Competitors, notably from the Android ecosystem, have been pushing boundaries in wireless charging speed; adopting the latest standard positions Apple competitively without sacrificing the reliability and safety users expect.

While past moves emphasized incremental gains—such as the leap from 15W to 25W with iPhone 16—this update signals a more aggressive step. However, owners of older MagSafe-compatible iPhones should note that enhanced speeds require matching hardware on the device side. Existing iPhones will continue to charge at their designed rates, as confirmed by regulatory documentation and highlighted in coverage from MacRumors.

Official Confirmation and Outlook

At time of writing, Apple has not formally announced the iPhone 17’s charging specifications or the release date of these new MagSafe chargers. However, the consistency of regulatory documentation across multiple markets, and the public listing of Qi 2.2 compatibility, lend high credibility to these projections. Pricing and availability remain unconfirmed, but analysts widely expect the pucks to debut alongside the iPhone 17’s anticipated September 2025 launch schedule.

Apple’s focus on advancing wireless charging, grounded in credible regulatory filings rather than speculation, reflects a continuing push to refine user convenience and experience. Enthusiasts tracking the technical evolution will find these filings signal more than incremental change—they mark a significant milestone in Apple’s wireless charging roadmap.