The iPhone 7 does not support wireless charging natively, requiring external accessories to enable this feature.
Understanding Wireless Charging and the iPhone 7
Wireless charging has become a popular feature in smartphones, allowing users to power their devices without plugging in cables. It works through electromagnetic induction, where energy transfers from a charging pad to the phone via a coil inside the device. However, not all phones come equipped with this technology out of the box.
The iPhone 7, released in September 2016, was Apple’s flagship model before wireless charging became standard in their lineup. Unlike later models such as the iPhone 8 and iPhone X, which introduced Qi wireless charging support, the iPhone 7 lacks the internal hardware necessary for this function.
This means that if you want to charge an iPhone 7 wirelessly, you’ll need additional equipment like cases or adapters that add wireless capability externally. Understanding why this is the case requires looking into Apple’s hardware choices and how wireless charging technology evolved.
Why Didn’t Apple Include Wireless Charging in the iPhone 7?
Apple’s decision to omit wireless charging from the iPhone 7 was likely influenced by several factors:
- Design priorities: The iPhone 7 focused on improving water resistance and camera capabilities rather than adding new charging tech.
- Battery efficiency: Apple emphasized battery life improvements through software optimization and more efficient hardware instead of new charging methods.
- Technology maturity: Although Qi wireless charging was available by 2016, it wasn’t yet widely adopted or perfected for all devices.
- Product differentiation: Apple typically introduces major features with flagship models. Wireless charging debuted with the iPhone 8 and X series in late 2017.
In essence, the iPhone 7 was designed before wireless charging became a mainstream expectation for smartphones. This explains why it lacks the necessary coil inside its chassis to receive power wirelessly.
How Wireless Charging Works: Technical Overview
Wireless charging relies on electromagnetic induction between two coils:
- Transmitter coil: Located inside a charging pad or dock; generates an alternating electromagnetic field.
- Receiver coil: Embedded within a compatible phone; converts electromagnetic energy back into electrical current to charge the battery.
The process requires precise alignment between these coils for efficient energy transfer. Qi is the most common wireless charging standard used by smartphones today.
For a phone like the iPhone 7 without a built-in receiver coil, no energy can be captured from a wireless charger unless an external receiver is added.
Can You Add Wireless Charging to an iPhone 7?
Yes, but only with third-party accessories that act as receivers. These come mainly in two forms:
Wireless Charging Cases
Specially designed cases contain a built-in receiver coil connected to the phone’s Lightning port internally. When placed on a Qi charger, these cases receive power and channel it to your device.
Pros:
- No modification needed on the phone itself.
- Simple plug-and-play experience once installed.
Cons:
- Adds bulk to your slim phone design.
- Might increase heat during charging due to extra components.
Wireless Charging Receiver Adapters
These are thin pads or stickers with coils that plug into your Lightning port and sit flat against your phone’s back under a regular case.
Pros:
- Lighter than full cases.
- You can keep your preferred case style over them.
Cons:
- Slightly fiddly installation process.
- The adapter might protrude slightly depending on case thickness.
Both solutions enable Qi compatibility but usually charge slower than native wireless chargers on newer phones due to extra resistance and conversion losses.
Charging Speeds: Wired vs. Wireless on iPhone 7
The table below compares typical charge times for an iPhone 7 using different methods:
| Charging Method | Approximate Charge Time (0-100%) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wired Charging (Standard 5W Adapter) | ~2 hours 15 minutes | The default charger included with iPhone 7 offers steady speeds. |
| Wired Fast Charging (Using Higher Wattage Adapter) | ~1 hour 45 minutes* | *Requires third-party fast charger; not officially supported by Apple for iPhone 7. |
| Wireless Charging (With Receiver Case/Adapter) | ~3 hours or more | Slightly slower due to added resistance and older hardware limitations. |
While wired charging remains faster and more efficient for this model, wireless options provide convenience at some cost in speed.
The Practicality of Using Wireless Charging with an iPhone 7
Adding wireless charging capability via accessories can be tempting if you want cable-free convenience. However, some practical considerations come into play:
- Bulkiness: Cases designed for wireless receivers tend to be thicker than standard ones. This may affect pocket comfort or aesthetics.
- Heat generation: Wireless adapters can cause your device to heat up more during charging compared to wired methods, potentially impacting battery health over time if used excessively.
- Cable still needed for fast charge: Native fast wired chargers remain superior if speed is essential since third-party receivers generally limit current flow.
- Lack of official support: Apple doesn’t endorse any specific third-party receiver products for this purpose on an iPhone 7, so quality varies widely across brands.
- User experience tradeoffs: Aligning your device perfectly on a pad is crucial; misalignment leads to slow or no charge, which can frustrate users accustomed to reliable wired connections.
Despite these downsides, if you dislike plugging cables daily or want a bedside dock solution without upgrading phones yet, these accessories offer workable compromises.
The Evolution of Wireless Charging in Apple Devices Post-iPhone 7
Apple introduced native Qi wireless charging starting with its next-generation phones:
- iPhone 8 and iPhone X (2017):The first models supporting Qi standard natively; allowed up to ~7.5W wireless input power initially.
- iPhone XS/XS Max/XR (2018):Sustained support with minor improvements in efficiency and thermal management.
- iPhone 12 series onward (2020+):Brought MagSafe technology—magnetic alignment enhancing speed (up to 15W) and user ease dramatically compared to basic Qi chargers.
These advances highlight how Apple prioritized seamless integration of wireless tech after perfecting other features first seen missing from older devices like the iPhone 7.
A Quick Comparison Table: Wireless Charging Features by Model Generation
| Model Series | Date Released | Main Wireless Feature(s) |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 7 & Earlier | Till Sept. 2016 | No native support; requires external receivers/cases only. |
| iPhone 8 / X Series | Late 2017 onwards | Natively supports Qi standard up to ~7.5W input power. |
| iPhone XS / XR / Later Models | Latter half of decade | Sustained Qi support; improved thermal management & efficiency improvements. |
| iPhone 12 & Newer (MagSafe) | Till Present Day | Adds magnetic alignment; faster wireless charge up to ~15W; better user experience overall. |
Key Takeaways: Is iPhone 7 Capable Of Wireless Charging?
➤ iPhone 7 does not support wireless charging natively.
➤ Requires external accessories for wireless charging.
➤ Wireless charging introduced starting with iPhone 8.
➤ Charging speed may vary with third-party adapters.
➤ Wired charging remains the primary method for iPhone 7.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is iPhone 7 capable of wireless charging without accessories?
No, the iPhone 7 does not support wireless charging natively. It lacks the internal hardware, such as a receiver coil, required for wireless power transfer.
To enable wireless charging, external accessories like special cases or adapters are necessary.
Can I use a wireless charging case with my iPhone 7?
Yes, you can use wireless charging cases designed for the iPhone 7. These cases include built-in receiver coils that add wireless charging capability to the device.
This allows your iPhone 7 to charge wirelessly on compatible Qi chargers despite lacking native support.
Why didn’t Apple include wireless charging in the iPhone 7?
Apple prioritized other features like water resistance and camera improvements over wireless charging in the iPhone 7 design.
Additionally, wireless charging technology was not yet widely adopted or perfected when the iPhone 7 was released in 2016.
How does wireless charging work with an iPhone 7 and external adapter?
Wireless charging works through electromagnetic induction between a transmitter coil in the charger and a receiver coil added via an adapter or case on the iPhone 7.
The adapter converts the electromagnetic energy into electrical current to charge the phone’s battery wirelessly.
Are there any drawbacks to using wireless charging accessories with an iPhone 7?
Using accessories for wireless charging may add bulk or affect the phone’s design and handling. Charging speeds might also be slower compared to wired charging.
It’s important to choose quality accessories to ensure safe and efficient wireless power transfer for your iPhone 7.