There's been very little information so far about Apple's proprietary wireless charging pad, but according to a new report, it will allegedly go on sale this March for $200.
Shipping in the second half of that month, the Apple AirPower differs from other wireless charging peripherals in that it supports charging three devices simultaneously.
Apple AirPower
Official images demonstrate that users can place an Apple Watch, and iPhone 8 or iPhone X, and an upcoming variant of the AirPods case on the pad, but technically, any Qi-based wireless charging device should work with Apple's accessory.
Apart from that, there are also slight software implementations, such as animations that show up when a user places down a device on top of the pad, and battery charge levels of all devices that can be displayed on an iPhone.
Plus, as MacOtakara claims, the pad has some extra tech that allows the Apple Watch Series 3 to charge, as it can only be charged with Apple's magnet-based charging stations. Perhaps that's why finding a Qi wireless charging that works with the watch is so difficult, as The Verge points out.
Apple AirPower Pricing
Previous reports from multiple sources last year claimed that the AirPower charging pad will cost $200. Is it really worth that much, though, even if it can charge three devices at the same time? Well, Apple fans should decide. Anyhow, that pricing is still very much a rumor, though given Apple's reputation for premium pricing, it seems highly plausible. Think about this: AirPower is probably for people who already own multiple devices. Surely, they can afford to spend $200 on a charging mat for them.
As for the release date, it's worth mentioning that MacOtakara has a great record when it comes to Apple rumors, but everything mentioned above should still be taken with a grain of salt until Apple itself gives official word.
This is the first time Apple is committing support for wireless charging. Before the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus and the iPhone X, no iPhone ever supported the feature. It's hard to say whether wireless charging is just a passing fad or the next big thing in smartphone design, but a lot of establishments across the country are installing charging stations to accommodate it.
Are you interested in buying the AirPower charging pad? Do you think the rumored $200 price point is reasonable? As always, if you have anything to share, feel free to sound them off in the comments section below!
