Qi2 Android Phones: Is 2026 the Year of Wireless Charging?
▼ Summary
– Qi2 support on Android is currently rare, with only Google’s Pixel 10 series widely available, but the Clicks Communicator, a niche Android phone with a physical keyboard, has been confirmed to support it in 2026.
– The Clicks Communicator is a new BlackBerry-style smartphone announced ahead of CES 2026, featuring a custom message-focused launcher and interchangeable backplates.
– This device will become only the sixth Qi2 Android phone, following the HMD Skyline and four Pixel 10 models, but its niche nature means it won’t significantly impact the market.
– Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series is strongly expected to adopt Qi2 in 2026, with its foldables likely to follow, and the Pixel 11 series will continue the support.
– The adoption of Qi2 by other major Android brands like Motorola, OnePlus, and Oppo remains uncertain for 2026, with the budget market being even more of an open question.
The adoption of Qi2 wireless charging on Android phones has been a slow burn, but the landscape is finally set to shift in a meaningful way. While Google’s Pixel 10 lineup brought the feature to a wider audience, the real catalyst for widespread Qi2 support on Android is likely to arrive in 2026, with major manufacturers finally joining the fray. The confirmation of another Qi2 Android device for next year adds to the growing momentum, though it comes from a rather unexpected source.
Announced just ahead of CES 2026, the Clicks Communicator is a novel smartphone that blends a BlackBerry-inspired physical keyboard with Android software. Designed around messaging with a custom launcher, the device stands out in a market dominated by touchscreens. One of its confirmed technical specifications is support for the Qi2 wireless charging standard. This is particularly noteworthy because the phone features interchangeable backplates, a design choice that can often complicate wireless charging functionality. The company has explicitly stated it has engineered the device to maintain proper Qi2 compatibility despite this modular aspect.
This announcement brings the total count of Qi2-enabled Android devices to just six. The list began with the HMD Skyline, followed by Google’s entire Pixel 10 series. By its own admission, the Clicks Communicator is a niche product aimed at a specific audience, so its inclusion of Qi2 is more of a curious footnote than a market-moving event. Nevertheless, it signals that the technology is becoming a more considered feature across different product categories.
The true potential for a Qi2 revolution on Android rests with the industry’s largest players. Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series is heavily rumored to incorporate Qi2, a move that would instantly bring the standard to tens of millions of users. Following that logic, it seems almost certain that Samsung’s foldable phones later in the year would also adopt the feature. Google’s Pixel 11 series will, of course, continue its support. The picture is less clear for other Android brands. Motorola seems a logical candidate, though no plans have been announced. OnePlus and Oppo have demonstrated interest in magnetic accessory ecosystems, yet neither has released a Qi2 phone. The budget segment remains the biggest question mark, where cost considerations could delay adoption.
Beyond smartphones, CES 2026 has already kicked off with a flurry of announcements, including new Android gadgets and further developments in wireless charging technology. The event promises a week of reveals that will shape the tech narrative for the coming year. In other news, retrospectives on Google’s 2025 and previews for 2026 are providing context for the company’s strategic direction.
(Source: 9to5 Google)
