Nothing’s $10M MagSafe Claim Disputed by Qi2 Owners

Nothing Technology, known for its Nothing Phone, has suggested that developing a magnetic wireless charging system compatible with Apple‑style MagSafe would cost over $10 million. The claim references patents and other licensing hurdles that the company believes would push research and development costs beyond that figure.

The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), the steward of the Qi2 standard, disputes this assertion. WPC members can access Qi2 specifications and receive Reasonable and Non‑Discriminatory (RAND) licensing terms, which the consortium argues would keep costs substantially lower than the reported $10 million. WPC membership carries an annual fee of $20 000, plus a minimum ecosystem fee of $10 000, but these are presented as far less than the alleged development cost.

Nothing’s prototype for YouTuber MrWhoseTheBoss was showcased with Qi2 25 W (Qi 2.2) charging, faster speeds, and claimed MagSafe compatibility. Currently, only the HMD Skyline and the Google Pixel 10 series support Qi2 with magnets; within those, only the Pixel 10 Pro XL offers 25 W charging. WPC notes that companies like Google, HMD, and Samsung already use magnetic configurations in their devices, implying that the technology exists and is commercially viable.

WPC spokespersons stated that if Nothing were a WPC member, it would have access to the Qi2 specs and favorable RAND terms. The consortium’s position is that Nothing’s claim reflects a misunderstanding of the licensing framework rather than intentional misinformation. Nothing has not yet provided a formal response to the dispute.

We will update this story when additional information becomes available.