Remember back in September 2017 when Apple announced the Qi-based wireless charging mat that would allow you to charge your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods at the same time? Apple seems to have jumped the gun on announcing this product because there have not been any updates since then about when it will hit the shelves.
According to a tweet via MacRumors from Hong Kong-based ChargerLAB’s sources in Apple’s supply chain, Luxshare Precision “already started producing” the AirPower wireless charging pad. Luxshare is also known for building the Apple AirPods and USB-C cables:
Breaking: AirPower is finally coming. We just learned from credible source in supply chain that the manufacture Luxshare Precision has already started producing Apple AirPower wireless charging pad. Luxshare Precision is also the maker of Apple AirPods and USB-C cables. pic.twitter.com/UqgWIAh3sx
— ChargerLAB (@chargerlab) January 12, 2019
ChargerLab followed that up with a tweet about another source that claims Apple supplier Pegatron is going to start mass producing the AirPower on January 21st:
Apple AirPower: Another source claims Pegatron is set to start mass produce AirPower at Jan 21. Pegatron is also an Apple OEM in Asia. The company employee says AirPower has total three layers of coils in 8-7-7 configuration from bottom to top. pic.twitter.com/xsboO47PGR
— ChargerLAB (@chargerlab) January 12, 2019
I would still recommend taking this rumor with a grain of salt if you are anxiously waiting to purchase this product especially since Apple has not announced an exact date of release yet. Apple did not say how much it would cost either. The only thing Apple said is that it would be released sometime in 2018.
Why didn’t the AirPower wireless charging mat get released in 2018 then? It is believed that the manufacturers experienced technical issues with the product such as overheating due to the complexities of charging three devices at once.
There are reports that the overheating problems have been resolved, which is why this rumor also seems credible at the same time. And there is speculation that Apple was planning to release a new line of AirPods later this year that would specifically support the wireless charging feature on the AirPower. The charging case that comes with the current generation of AirPods do not work with Qi-based wireless chargers.
Apple generally holds events in the months of March, June, September, and October. So I am assuming that an update on the AirPower would likely be announced in March or June of this year.
