Thinking about getting a wireless charger but still rocking an iPhone 11? You don’t want to waste money on tech that won’t work with your phone. Knowing its ca
pabilities is essential before you buy.
Yes, the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max all absolutely support wireless charging. They use the common Qi (pronounced "chee") wireless charging standard, meaning they are compatible with the vast majority of wireless charging pads on the market.
So, the good news is your iPhone 11 isn’t left out of the wireless convenience loop! But just knowing it can charge wirelessly isn’t the whole story. What kind of charger works best, and how fast can you expect it to charge? As someone dealing with charger manufacturing at FUMEI, these details matter. Let’s dig in.
What kind of wireless charger does the iPhone 11 need?
Worried about navigating the sea of wireless chargers out there for your iPhone 11? Picking the wrong type could lead to frustration with slow charging, or it might not even work at all.
The iPhone 11 needs a Qi-certified wireless charger. Qi is the global standard Apple uses, so any charging pad, stand, or mat that displays the official Qi logo guarantees compatibility and basic safety features for your phone.
Think of Qi as the USB for wireless power – it aims to make things work together universally.
Understanding Qi Compatibility
- The Universal Standard: Qi was established by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) to ensure interoperability between different brands of devices and chargers. When you see the Qi logo, it means the product has met specific testing requirements for compatibility and safety. For buyers like David, sticking to standards like Qi simplifies sourcing and ensures customer satisfaction.
- Wattage Output: Qi chargers come with different power output ratings (e.g., 5W, 7.5W, 10W, 15W). The iPhone 11 specifically supports wireless charging up to 7.5W. While you can use a higher-wattage Qi charger (like a 10W or 15W one), the iPhone 11 will only draw a maximum of 7.5W wirelessly. Using a lower 5W Qi charger will also work, just slower.
- What Doesn’t Work: Avoid chargers that aren’t Qi-certified or use proprietary standards (less common now, but they exist). Also, dedicated Apple Watch chargers use a different magnetic charging technology and won’t charge an iPhone.
- MagSafe Note: Apple’s MagSafe chargers (introduced with iPhone 12) will charge an iPhone 11 because MagSafe is built on top of the Qi standard. However, the iPhone 11 doesn’t have the internal magnets, so it won’t snap into place perfectly, and the charging speed will still be limited to the standard 7.5W Qi speed, not the faster MagSafe speeds available to newer iPhones.
Here’s a compatibility breakdown:
| Charger Type | Compatible with iPhone 11? | Max Wireless Speed on iPhone 11 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5W Qi Charger | Yes | 5W | Basic, slowest wireless speed. |
| 7.5W+ Qi Charger | Yes | 7.5W | Optimal Qi speed for iPhone 11. |
| 10W/15W Qi Charger | Yes | 7.5W | Works fine, but phone limits speed. |
| Apple MagSafe Charger | Yes | 7.5W | Charges via Qi, but no magnetic alignment, no speed boost. |
| Apple Watch Charger | No | 0W | Different technology. |
| Non-Qi Wireless Charger | Unlikely / Not Recommended | N/A | Lacks certification, safety, and compatibility guarantees. |
For the best balance, choose any reputable Qi-certified charger rated for at least 7.5W.
Is wireless charging fast on the iPhone 11?
Plugged your iPhone 11 onto a wireless pad and noticed it takes quite a while to gain percentage compared to using a cable? Is the convenience worth the extra charging time, or is it just inherently slow?
Wireless charging on the iPhone 11 is more about convenience than speed. It tops out at 7.5 watts using the Qi standard, which is noticeably slower than the potential wired charging speeds available using a USB-C Power Delivery1 charger and cable.
It’s important to set expectations correctly. Wireless charging offers the ease of just placing your phone down, great for desks or nightstands, but it’s not the fastest way to juice up an iPhone 11.
Speed Comparison and Factors
- The 7.5W Limit: Apple implemented Qi charging up to 7.5W for several iPhone generations, including the 11 series. While functional, it’s not cutting-edge speed.
- Wired Charging Potential: The iPhone 11 originally shipped with a slow 5W USB-A wired charger. However, the phone itself supports much faster wired charging – up to 18W or even slightly more – if you use a USB-C Power Delivery (PD) wall charger and a USB-C to Lightning cable. This combination can charge the iPhone 11 significantly faster (e.g., 0% to 50% in around 30 minutes) compared to the 7.5W wireless charging.
- Real-World Wireless Speed Factors: Wireless charging efficiency can be affected by:
- Alignment: Misplacing the phone slightly off-center on the pad’s coil can reduce speed.
- Case Thickness: Thick cases or cases with metal components can slow down or block charging.
- Temperature: Both the phone and charger can generate heat, and the system might slow down charging to manage temperatures.
- Background Usage: If the phone is actively doing tasks while charging wirelessly, it will charge slower.
Here’s a rough idea of charging speeds:
| Charging Method | Power Output | Estimated 0-50% Charge Time | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original 5W Wired Charger | 5W | ~1.5 hours+ | Basic, slow charging (included) |
| 7.5W Qi Wireless Charger | Up to 7.5W | ~1 hour – 1.25 hours | Convenience, overnight, desk |
| USB-C PD Wired Charger | 18W+ | ~30 minutes | Fastest charging (needs separate charger/cable) |
So, use wireless charging for convenience when speed isn’t the top priority, like overnight charging or keeping topped up at your desk. If you need a quick boost, a USB-C PD wired charger is the way to go for the iPhone 11.
Conclusion
Yes, the iPhone 11 series supports Qi wireless charging2 up to 7.5W. It’s convenient for casual use but slower than fast wired charging via USB-C PD. Use any Qi-certified charger for guaranteed compatibility.