Apple now sells a two-story ‘AirPower’ charger - 9to5Mac

Source: https://9to5mac.com/2025/03/16/apple-now-sells-a-two-story-airpower-charger/

Summary

Rumors suggest Apple is revisiting its canceled AirPower wireless charger with a two-story design. This aims to solve the overheating issues that plagued the original, by separating charging coils into distinct layers for improved heat dissipation and potentially faster charging. While promising, a two-story AirPower faces significant engineering challenges regarding coil placement, precise alignment, manufacturing costs, and size. Its success hinges on price, performance, design, and marketing, impacting both Apple and the wider wireless charging market.

Full Article

## Apple's Rumored Two-Story 'AirPower' Charger: Hype, Hope, and the Reality of Wireless Charging

**Meta Description:** Explore the latest rumors surrounding Apple's potential two-story "AirPower" charger, delving into its potential features, challenges, and the broader context of the wireless charging market. Will Apple finally deliver on its long-awaited wireless charging mat?

**Keywords:** Apple AirPower, wireless charger, MagSafe, Qi charging, two-story charger, Apple charging mat, wireless charging technology, inductive charging, multi-device charging, Apple rumors, tech news, Apple accessories

Apple's AirPower, once a highly anticipated product announced in 2017 and later canceled, continues to capture the imagination of tech enthusiasts. While the original vision of a single charging mat for iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods never materialized, whispers of a successor – a more ambitious, two-story AirPower – are now circulating. This article will examine the rumors, the technological challenges, and the potential implications of such a device for both Apple and the wider wireless charging landscape.

**The Ghost of AirPower Past: Lessons Learned**

The original AirPower's cancellation in 2019 was a significant setback for Apple. The ambitious project aimed to deliver a seamless, multi-device charging experience, but encountered insurmountable engineering hurdles. The core problem revolved around heat management. Packing multiple charging coils into a compact mat proved incredibly difficult, leading to inconsistent charging and overheating concerns. This failure highlighted the complexity of high-power, multi-device wireless charging, especially when striving for a thin and elegant design.

**The Two-Story AirPower: A New Approach?**

Recent rumors, primarily stemming from sources like 9to5Mac (and the inspiration for this article!), suggest Apple may be revisiting the AirPower concept with a radically different approach: a two-story design. This purported design would separate the charging coils into distinct layers, potentially mitigating the heat dissipation issues that plagued the original attempt. A two-story structure could allow for more efficient heat management by spreading the heat generation over a larger area and allowing for better airflow.

**Potential Features and Benefits of a Two-Story AirPower:**

A two-story design offers several intriguing possibilities:

* **Improved Heat Dissipation:** The most crucial advantage would be significantly improved heat management, enabling more reliable and consistent charging across multiple devices. By separating the charging coils, the individual coils would experience less heat build-up, preventing overheating and potential damage to devices.

* **Increased Charging Efficiency:** A better heat management system could potentially translate to faster charging speeds for compatible devices. The reduction in thermal throttling could allow the coils to operate at higher power levels.

* **Enhanced Device Compatibility:** A more robust design might increase compatibility with a wider range of Apple devices and potentially even support third-party accessories with Qi charging capabilities.

* **Flexible Charging Configurations:** A two-tiered system could provide more flexibility in positioning devices. Users might have more freedom to place their iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods in various locations on the mat without compromising charging performance.

* **Sleek Design (Potentially):** While adding a second story might increase the overall height of the charger, it could still result in a more aesthetically pleasing design compared to a larger, single-layered mat.

**Technical Challenges and Considerations:**

Despite the potential benefits, a two-story AirPower would still face significant technological hurdles:

* **Complex Coil Design and Placement:** Optimizing the placement and interaction of multiple coils across two layers would be incredibly challenging. Careful engineering would be required to ensure efficient energy transfer and prevent interference between coils.

* **Precise Alignment and Positioning:** Ensuring that devices are properly aligned with the charging coils in a two-story design would be more complex than with a single-layer system. The system may need advanced sensors or magnets to help users position their devices correctly.

* **Manufacturing Costs:** A two-story AirPower would likely be more expensive to manufacture due to the increased complexity of the design and the higher precision required in manufacturing processes.

* **Size and Portability:** The addition of a second story will inevitably increase the overall size and weight of the charger, potentially impacting its portability.

* **Power Consumption:** Managing power efficiently across multiple coils and layers would be crucial to avoid excessive energy consumption and battery strain on connected devices.

**The Broader Context: The Wireless Charging Landscape**

Apple's potential foray into a two-story AirPower charger comes amidst a rapidly evolving wireless charging landscape. The Qi standard remains dominant, but advancements in technologies like MagSafe have significantly improved charging speeds and efficiency for Apple devices. Competitors are also pushing the boundaries of wireless charging, offering multi-device charging solutions with varying degrees of success. Apple's entry into this space with a sophisticated multi-device solution could redefine the market.

**Market Implications and Potential Success:**

The success of a two-story AirPower would depend on several factors:

* **Pricing:** The price point would be critical. If it's too high, it may deter potential buyers.

* **Performance:** Reliable and fast charging across multiple devices is crucial. Any issues with overheating or inconsistent charging would negatively impact customer perception.

* **Design and Aesthetics:** Apple's reputation for elegant design would need to be upheld. The charger must look good and feel premium.

* **Marketing and Promotion:** Apple's marketing efforts would need to effectively communicate the benefits of the two-story AirPower and address any concerns about the previous AirPower failure.

**Conclusion: Hype vs. Reality**

The prospect of Apple releasing a two-story AirPower charger is undoubtedly exciting. The rumors suggest a renewed focus on addressing the engineering challenges that led to the original product's cancellation. However, substantial technical hurdles remain. While the potential benefits are significant – improved heat management, enhanced efficiency, and increased compatibility – the reality of bringing such a complex product to market successfully remains to be seen. Only time will tell if Apple can overcome these challenges and finally deliver on the promise of a truly seamless, multi-device wireless charging experience. The success of this endeavor will not only shape Apple's accessory line but could also significantly impact the broader wireless charging market, pushing innovation and setting a new standard for convenience and efficiency. The wait continues, and the tech world watches with bated breath.