Topological Shift in the Wireless Power Market: Smartphones Lead the Way

The wireless power market is undergoing a fundamental shift. Once a niche feature, wireless charging has now become a mainstream expectation—especially in smartphones—and is rapidly expanding to new industries. With evolving standards, emerging technologies, and broader application markets, wireless power is set to redefine how we think about connectivity and convenience.

Smartphones: The Catalyst for Growth

Smartphones remain the primary driver of wireless charging adoption. By 2022, the number of wireless-charging-enabled smartphones surpassed the one-billion mark, setting the stage for mass adoption.

Today, the market offers multiple wireless power profiles:

• BPP (Basic Power Profile, 5W)
• EPP (Extended Power Profile, 15W)
• Proprietary fast-charging extensions (PPDEs):
• Samsung: 9W–12W
• Apple: 7.5W + MagSafe (15W)
• Chinese OEMs: 30W–100W
• Upcoming Qi2 standard, featuring:
• Qi2-EPP
• Qi2-MPP (Magnetic Power Profile)

These topologies are built on the Qi standard, developed by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), which remains the global benchmark for low-frequency induction-based wireless power.

Beyond Smartphones: New Applications Emerging

While smartphones remain central, wireless power is spreading into diverse markets. Applications gaining traction include:

• Automotive: In-cabin wireless charging for EVs and AVs
• Wearables & Hearables: Smartwatches, earphones, hearing aids
• Smart Home & IoT: Powering appliances, sensors, and connected devices
• Medical: Implants and monitoring equipment
• Industrial & Robotics: Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and AMRs
• Retail & Infrastructure: Public wireless charging points
• Mobility Devices: e-bikes and e-scooters

As adoption widens, the share of smartphones in the wireless power market is expected to decline, giving way to these emerging segments.

From Low Power to Fast Charging

The market is also shifting towards higher power solutions. While 0W–5W systems once dominated, their share is shrinking as OEMs push for fast wireless charging.

• EPP (5W–15W) and Qi2 (15W–20W) are gaining momentum
• Proprietary solutions are moving towards 30W–100W charging speeds
• These solutions cater to power-hungry devices and the need for multi-device charging

The transition to higher power levels also introduces challenges in efficiency and energy loss management, making innovation critical for long-term adoption.

Emerging Technology Types

Wireless power is not limited to one approach. New methods are emerging to suit different applications:

• Low-frequency resonance (20–95kHz)
• High-frequency resonance (6.78MHz)
• NFC-based charging (13.56MHz)
• Long-distance, uncoupled solutions: RF, infrared, ultrasound, and even 5G-based power transfer

In the future, hybrid or multi-frequency systems could combine the best of these technologies to create universal wireless power ecosystems.

The Road Ahead

According to WAWT’s Wireless Power Intelligence Service, low-frequency induction-based solutions (Qi and Qi2) will continue to dominate the near-term landscape. However, as standards mature and new use cases emerge, a topological shift is expected across industries—moving from smartphone-dominated adoption to a diverse, multi-sector ecosystem.

The next few years will be pivotal. With Qi2 integration, rapid growth in consumer and industrial applications, and emerging high-power solutions, wireless power is on the cusp of becoming a truly universal technology.