14 DAY TRIAL // The new-generation iPhone is here, but some of the highly-anticipated features that made the rounds on a regular basis throughout the year are not, and these include reverse wireless charging as well.
Already available on a series of Android phones, the reverse wireless charging, or two-way charging as some call it, is supposed to allow Apple users charge their other devices using the iPhone.
In other words, the iPhone can play the role of a power bank, essentially providing some extra power for devices like the AirPods, Apple Watch, or other accessories.
And while people familiar with the matter said the iPhone 11 was almost certainly supposed to come with such capabilities, it looks like Apple removed them at the very last minute.
But according to a recent discovery, the hardware that is required to make reverse wireless charging happen on the iPhone 11 is actually there, only that the software to power it is not.
iOS update could enable it
Apple watcher Sonny Dickson says the feature is software disabled, and this means the Cupertino-based tech giant could actually enable it at some point in the future with an iOS update.
“Reliable sources are saying iPhone 11 and 11 Pro do include the hardware for bilateral charging, but that it is software disabled. Uncertain whether this was removed prior to final production run,” he tweeted a couple of days ago.
Since Apple has remained completely tight-lipped on this feature, the existence of the required hardware inside the iPhone 11 could be a sign that the company disabled it because the whole thing wasn’t as polished as it wanted.
Of course, we can’t tell for sure when and if Apple wants to enable reverse wireless charging, but given the hardware is already there, it’s all probably just a matter of time until everyone gets it. Somewhat surprising, however, is that Cupertino hasn’t said a single thing about this feature during the official September 10 launch.