Apple may be planning to make its AirPower wireless charging mat available starting next month. The iPhone maker unveiled the device in September, but it hasn’t gone on sale yet. Now we have a second report suggesting that the wireless charger will be available in March.
Mac Otakara reports that its sources have verified an earlier report that Apple will be shipping its AirPower wireless charging mats to stores starting in the second half of next month. The Japanese-language website said it verified with its own sources that what The Apple Post reported previously was correct. The Apple Post reported earlier this month that its sources at the electronics retailer Best Buy said that they expect to receive some of Apple’s wireless charging mats in the second half of March.
The AirPower wireless charging mat is compatible with the Qi wireless charging standard and will enable users to charge up to three devices at the same time. The charger is compatible with the iPhone 8, 8 Plus and X and the Apple Watch Series 3. It will also be able to charge the AirPods via a special case that the company is also expected to release soon.
According to The Apple Post, the wireless charging case for the AirPods will also go on sale in March at the same time as the wireless charging mat. The site also said more recently that its sources at Best Buy believe the AirPods charging case will only be available as a standalone product at Apple Stores, while third-party retailers will have to sell it as part of a set with the new AirPods.
Although the iPhone maker revealed the AirPower wireless charging mat last fall, it never gave a price or expected release date. The company has remained quiet on the matter since then, leaving its fans wondering when the charger will launch and how much it will cost. A Polish retailer had the wireless charger listed for $199, but it’s unclear where that price came from, which means it seems largely arbitrary.
Anyone who has multiple Apple products that all require charging frequently will probably be interested in the wireless charger because it will significantly reduce the number of cords and chargers they must keep track of. Of course, the company is likely to charge a significant premium on its charger, so there are undoubtedly going to be less expensive chargers available from third-party manufacturers.
