Following the steps of Nokia, LG Electronics and HTC,
Samsung Electronics and Apple are expected to add wireless charging
capability to their flagship models in 2013, according to industry
sources.
Samsung is expected to adopt Qi wireless
charging technology run by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) for its
next flagship model, the Galaxy S IV, the sources indicated.
However,
the Galaxy S IV may not come with embedded wireless charging
capability. Instead, users are required to buy replacement back covers
for their smartphone for access to a charging pad, the sources
indicated.
Apple is likely to adopt the wireless
charging technology developed internally, but it remains unknown if the
next-generation iPhone will come with built-in wireless charging
capability or with other attached accessories, said the sources.
However,
Samsung's adoption of the Qi standards may drive the technology to
become mainstream for smartphones, outperforming those promoted by the
Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP) and Power Matters Alliance (PMA).
In
addition to Samsung, other major brands including Nokia, HTC, LG,
Motorola Mobility and Sony Mobile Communications are all members of the
WPC, the sources noted.
