The 14 Car Makes That Will Wirelessly Charge Your iPhone 8
Apple wants drivers to charge their phone automatically.
Apple’s next range of iPhones brings a much-requested feature that is going to make driving a breeze: wireless charging.
With the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X, the company now supports the Qi protocol, which enables drivers to drop their phone into a cradle and immediately start charging the battery, with no need to fiddle about with wires while out on the open road. On Monday, the company released an official list of car brands compatible with the feature, and it seems a lot of drivers will be able to take advantage straight from the word go.
While Apple’s support document does not mention the iPhone X by name, it’s expected to use the same charging system as its 8 and 8 Plus counterparts and should work with the same chargers. The list of car brands compatible with the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus charging system, according to Apple, is:
- Audi
- BMW
- Chrysler
- Ford
- Honda
- Mercedes-Benz
- PSA
- Toyota
- Volkswagen
- Volvo
On top of these, the charging system present in these cars should work:
- 2018 GMC Terrain
- 2018 GMC Yukon
- 2018 GMC Sierra
- 2018 Chevrolet Bolt
- 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe
- 2018 Chevrolet Silverado
- 2018 Chevrolet Suburban
- 2018 Cadillac Escalade
- 2018 Buick Enclave
Unfortunately, older models from these brands that feature wireless charging don’t meet the Qi specification and won’t work with the iPhone. That means 2017 and older model Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC vehicles with wireless chargers won’t do anything for your device. Apple also advises that even if the vehicle is on the list, the large size of the iPhone 8 Plus may mean the device won’t fit in the cradle. If in doubt, it’s always best to check before purchase.
The phones switch out the aluminum backing of its predecessors in favor of a glass design that allows the phone to charge via the rear cover when it makes contact with a compatible pad:
An iPhone 8 Plus is held for a photograph on September 22, 2017 in London, England.
It’s a big moment for Apple, which until now has shied away from supporting universal charging standards. Drivers before now would have needed to ensure their car came with a 30-pin dock connecter or, in the case of the iPhone 5 and later, a Lightning connecter.
The feature will also pair well with iOS 11, the new version of Apple’s mobile operating system released last month as a free update to existing devices. The upgrade, which ships on all devices, can detect when a phone is moving at a certain speed and turn off notifications. This stops drivers from diverting their attention from the road while in motion, while also ensuring that when the car has come to a stop the phone automatically starts playing sounds again.
If you liked this article, check out this video of a ball that can wirelessly charge your phone.
