Apple’s 15W wireless chargers, including the MagSafe and Qi2 models, will no longer be licensed for sale in China. The Chinese government has announced that this ban is in place to prevent interference and maintain the order of radio waves.
Both the MagSafe and Qi2 standards support wireless charging up to 15 watts using a 360 kHz radio frequency. This frequency will be banned from next month, and the new Chinese law will affect both Apple and other brands that support the faster charging standard.
According to SCMP, the updated radio frequency management regulations of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China, which will take effect on September 1, state that only three frequency bands are allowed for portable and mobile wireless charging equipment, including 100 to 148.5 6765 to 6795 kHz and 13553 to 13567 kHz. In addition, the maximum power allowed for transmission should not exceed 80 watts.
According to Chinese law, the purpose of the 360 ​​Hz frequency ban is to prevent harmful interference with radio operations, such as radio communications in the aviation industry, and to maintain the order of radio waves. Although the ban prevents the sale of 15W wireless chargers, it appears that using chargers purchased before the law was enacted will not be a problem.
Based on renders seen earlier this year, the iPhone 16 appears to feature a thinner MagSafe ring, which likely won’t affect compatibility with existing chargers.
