We first learned about Apple’s Qi wireless charging matt — the AirPower — back in September when all three new iPhones and the Apple Watch Series 3 were announced. Apple promised that the oval-shaped wireless charging pad would be capable of charging multiple Apple devices at the same time, including your new iPhone, Apple Watch Series 3 and AirPods (when its second-gen case comes out), but the public’s interest in the AirPower was largely shelved due to the fact that Apple breezed over it in its presentation and nobody knew when it would be released. Apple simply said, “sometime in 2018.”
Now reports are coming out, specifically from MacOtakara and The Apple Post, that Apple is set to release the AirPower wireless charging matt this March. It’s expected to be sold exclusively on Apple’s website and retail stores. There isn’t much news regarding the price of the AirPower wireless charging matt, but BGR suggests it’ll cost $200.
Apple loyalists will undoubtedly be interested in purchasing the AirPower — not many Qi wireless charging mats are capable of charging multiple items simultaneously. However, the AirPower will hold specific interest for Apple Watch Series 3 owners because most Qi wireless chargers can’t charge it. According to The Verge, the Apple Watch Series 3 depends on a specific radio signal to tell the Qi Wireless charger that it’s on the mat, and only the AirPower and Apple Watch chargers can detect this.
That said, if you don’t have an Apple Watch Series 3 or multiple gadgets that support Qi wireless charging, there a number of other Qi wireless charging mats that you can buy right now that probably cost significantly less than what the AirPower will go for.
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