Expect more powerful wireless charging pads, as FCC increases all spec limits

by Daniel Petrov / May 04, 2018, 9:24 AM

The FCC has raised the limits of its wireless charging gear specifications significantly, so the compliant ones can now be much more powerful than before. The 5W coil restriction is now upped to the whopping 15W, as there are already chargers on the market with this output, like Belkin's Boost Up line you see in the video above.

Furthermore, the radio frequency exposure distance has also been increased drastically with two more inches, so those powerful pads of tomorrow don't actually cross the existing SAR guidelines. In aggregate, the increase in these limits will allow wireless charging that is way faster, and less restrictive in terms of placing your phone or wearable the right way, provided that the charging circuitry inside your phone can take it.

We wonder if the increased wattage and RF emission limits have anything to do with the upcoming release of Apple's long-awaited AirPower charger, which is set to top off your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods at the same time, or it's simply a matter of the FCC playing catch-up with the new technology.

source: FCC (PDF) via Reddit

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7 Comments

1. torr310

Posts: 1677; Member since: Oct 27, 2011

Expect hotter temperatures for cell phones.

posted on May 04, 2018, 9:30 AM 3

2. emvxl

Posts: 141; Member since: Sep 29, 2009

Could be useful to warm up your cup of coffee or tea.

posted on May 04, 2018, 10:23 AM 1

3. bucknassty

Posts: 1353; Member since: Mar 24, 2017

explosions ... everywhere

posted on May 04, 2018, 10:24 AM 0

5. DFranch

Posts: 557; Member since: Apr 20, 2012

I hope you are able to select the charging output to prevent fast charging. I charge wirelessly overnight, so I do not need fast charge. On the rare occasion I need a fast charge, I don't mind plugging the phone in. Fast charging can't be good for the battery, so I avoid it as much as possible.