Oppo has teased a new wireless charging solution that works when a phone is up to 10 cm (3.9 inches) from a charging pad. The company showed off its Wireless Air Charging technology on its Weibo page in a 30-second cut to coincide with MWC Shanghai. The clip shows the roll-up concept phone Oppo X 2021, announced in November, and charges above the cushion, even when held at an angle. The technology offers charging speeds of up to 7.5 W, says Oppo.
The Chinese manufacturer is the latest to announce a true wireless solution for air charging, following Xiaomi and Motorola’s teasing earlier this year. In January, Xiaomi announced Mi Air Charge Technology, which it said could charge multiple devices at 5W “within a radius of a few meters.” The next day, XDA Developers reported on a Motorola demonstration showing one of its phones charging 100 cm (40 inches) from a charger.
At 10 cm, the range of Oppo’s technology is more limited than Xiaomi’s competitor, Android Authority notes. The presenter of the video makes a very deliberate effort to keep the phone directly above the charging mat. However, the charge is shown even when the phone is working slightly above the wireless charger and while a video is playing.
Distinctions like these are currently academic, as none of these technologies have been released in commercial products. Xiaomi has confirmed that the technology will not be available this year, and the roll-top phone that Oppo used for the demonstration also does not have an official release date.
In addition to developing long-range wireless chargers, manufacturers are also working to speed up standard wireless charging. Xiaomi is developing an 80W wireless charging solution, which it announced just months after Oppo announced its own 65W wireless charging technology.
Update February 23, 06:53 ET: Updated with the official name of the download solution, and more details.