Samsung Galaxy S25: Qi2 Ready but Limited

Image courtesy of Wired

Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series disappoints with limited Qi2 compatibility, relying on cases for magnetic charging instead of native support. A full Qi2 Android phone is expected in 2025, leaving users waiting for seamless technology.

Samsung’s latest Galaxy S25 series has entered the tech stage with a big promise yet an equally big caveat.

Billed as “Qi2 Ready,” these flagship phones have sparked both excitement and disappointment among tech enthusiasts and consumers alike.

While the promise of Qi2 wireless charging compatibility seems like a step forward, it’s a bit of a band-aid solution rather than a full-fledged leap into the future of magnetic charging.

Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty.

The Qi2 standard, introduced in 2023, was heralded as the Android world’s answer to Apple’s beloved MagSafe technology, which revolutionized how iPhones interact with accessories and chargers.

The promise? A seamless, magnetic charging experience that aligns perfectly every time, eliminating the overnight battery woes that plague many smartphone users.

Qi2 also promised to unite the accessory ecosystem between iPhones and Androids, offering users more choices and convenience.

However, Samsung’s latest release falls short of expectations.

While the Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra remain stalwarts with Qi wireless charging support, they do not natively include the Qi2 standard.

Instead, Samsung offers a workaround: Qi2 Ready cases that imbue the phones with the desired magnetic charging capabilities.

It’s a clever stopgap, but let’s be honest—it’s not what we were hoping for.

The introduction of Qi2 Ready cases means consumers can achieve the same charging speed and efficiency promised by Qi2, but at a cost.

This solution feels like a compromise, and for many, it’s a reminder of the ongoing game of catch-up that Samsung plays with Apple.

While it’s cheaper and potentially allows more budget-friendly phones to join the Qi2 club, it leaves users juggling cases and accessories, a far cry from the streamlined experience we crave.

Moreover, there’s a sense of irony here, as Samsung, the tech giant often seen as Apple’s fiercest competitor, missed the opportunity to debut Qi2 on its flagship smartphone series.

It’s a letdown for those who hoped the Galaxy S25 would be the first Android device to natively embrace this next-gen technology.

Instead, we find ourselves navigating a landscape where “Qi2 Ready” is the new buzzword, but it doesn’t quite deliver the full dream.

But it’s not all doom and gloom.

Samsung and Google have pledged to release official Qi2 Android phones in 2025, signaling that the magnetic future is on the horizon.

It just seems like a long wait for something that feels like it should already be here.

In the meantime, users will have to make do with magnetic cases, a workaround that keeps us tethered to the past while we yearn for the future.

This transitional phase is reminiscent of a tech world in flux—one where innovation is within reach yet slightly out of grasp.

As we wait for our magnetic Android utopia, one can’t help but wonder: when will we finally see the seamless, integrated technology we’ve been promised?

Until then, let’s pour one out for the case-less rebels and continue dreaming of a day when our phones magnetize with ease.

The Checkup

A weekly newsletter focusing on the most important news in health and biotech.

More News

At Global Business & Economics Journal, we contribute to the  future of business and technology with news,  innovative research, expert insights, and thought-provoking analysis.

The latest from
The Checkup: Our weekly biotech and health email

Sign up to get The Checkup weekly in your inbox.