Xiaomi wireless charging: what models have and how it works

Today’s flagship smartphones are increasingly losing cable connectors to fully wireless peripheral connectivity. In the Xiaomi ecosystem, wireless charging has become not just a marketing gimmick, but a de facto standard for top-end devices. Users often get confused about series names and don’t know if their budget Redmi or mid-budget POCO supports this feature, since it’s impossible to determine the presence of a module on the outside.

The technology is based on the electromagnetic induction standard, where energy is transferred through the magnetic field between the coils in the charger and the phone. The key is to position the gadget precisely on the site, because a shift of just a couple of centimeters can interrupt the current supply process. Unlike wired connection, it is not only the voltage and current strength that are important here, but also the compatibility of the protocols, which we will discuss below.

In this article, we will discuss in detail which models Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO support wireless charging. We will touch on the technical nuances of the Qi standard, consider the features of reverse charging and help you decide on the choice of accessories for comfortable use of your smartphone.

Technological standards and speed of energy transfer

Most of today’s solutions in this area are based on the Qi standard (pronounced “Qi”), developed by the Wireless Power Consortium. Xiaomi smartphones equipped with the corresponding module usually support a base power of 5-10 watts, but the company’s proprietary technologies allow you to significantly speed up this process. To achieve maximum speed, you need to use original docking stations, since third-party charging is often limited to standard protocols.

Mi Wireless Charging technology can transmit up to 80 watts of power, comparable to mid-range wired analogues, by using a special wind turbine design in the charging station for active cooling and a dual coil in the smartphone, which without active cooling would cause the battery to critically overheat.

⚠️ Note: Use of non-original wireless chargers above 15W may lead to unstable operation of the power controller and shorten battery life.

It’s also worth noting that there’s a reversible feature that turns a smartphone into a power bank. In this mode, a phone can transfer power to other devices, such as headphones or smart watches, simply by putting them on the back cover. The transmission speed in this mode is usually low, around 10 watts, enough to keep the gadgets running, but not enough to charge the other phone quickly.

The flagship series Mi and Xiaomi with support for Qi

It is in the company’s flagship lines that advanced charging technologies are most often introduced. Since the Mi 9 series, Xiaomi has massively implemented wireless protocol support in all top devices, owners of these smartphones can expect the highest speeds and a full set of features, including smart cooling and vertical installation of the device.

The Xiaomi 13 and Xiaomi 14 series demonstrate the evolution of the approach: here the charging module is integrated in such a way that it does not take up useful space inside the case, allowing you to increase the battery capacity. It is important to understand that support is claimed only for global and Chinese versions of flagships, while in some regional versions (for example, Lite versions), this feature may not be available.

• 📱 Xiaomi Mi 9 / Mi 9 Pro – the first mass models with support for 20 watts.
• 📱 Xiaomi Mi 10 / Mi 10 Pro / Mi 10 Ultra – implementation of 30 W and reverse function.
• 📱 Xiaomi Mi 11 / Mi 11 Ultra – support for 50 watts and magnetic accessories.
• 📱 Xiaomi 12 / 12 Pro / 12S Ultra – Optimization of heat sink and 50 Watt.
• 📱 Xiaomi 13 / 13 Pro / 13 Ultra - stable 50 W and improved compatibility.

Special attention should be paid to the Ultra series, which often gets unique charging features first. For example, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra is able to charge at 50 watts without an active fan in the charging itself, relying on passive cooling and an efficient board architecture. This makes the process almost silent, which is important for use in the bedroom or office.

Wireless charging in the line of Redmi and POCO

Unlike the mainstream brand, the Redmi and POCO sub-brands are focused on low- and mid-range segments where wireless adoption is constrained by component costs. These lines were long thought to be completely devoid of this feature, but in 2021 there was a landmark event. The Redmi K40 Pro+ (known globally as Mi 11i) was the first exception to receive 30W support.

The current situation is that the vast majority of Redmi Note and POCO X/M series smartphones don’t have an induction module built in, and engineers are sacrificing this feature to lower the price by installing more capacious batteries or high-resolution cameras, and users of these models have to settle for wired connections or buy special Type-C plug cases.

⚠️ Please do not try to disassemble the Redmi smartphone or POCO If the specifications on the official website don't mention Wireless Charging, then there's no physical mention of it.

However, in the premium segment of POCO, which is actually renamed Xiaomi for international markets, support is present. For example, the POCO F4 GT (similar to the Redmi K50 Gaming) lost this feature, but more expensive models that go under the Xiaomi brand in China may have it.

Comparative table of models and speeds

For ease of perception, we have systematized the data on the supported power in different generations of devices. Please note that these values are only relevant when using the original Xiaomi charger, purchased separately or packaged.

As you can see from the table, the standard for modern flagships has become 50 watts. This allows you to charge the device from 0 to 100% in about 45-50 minutes, which is only slightly inferior to wired counterparts. Older models, such as the Mi 9, charge much slower, and they are more advisable to use with wireless charging only at night.

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The speed of wireless charging directly depends on the generation of the smartphone: the newer the model, the higher the power supported and the better the heat sink.

How to check wireless charging support on your device

If you're not sure about the specifications of your gadget or you bought it with your hands, there are several ways to check for the module. The simplest and most reliable method is software. The MIUI or HyperOS shell often contains information about connected accessories that is activated when you bring the phone to a running charging pad.

You can also use system settings. Go to Settings → About Phone → All specs (or “All specs”). The list of supported technologies should include the line “Wireless charging” or “Wireless charging.” If it is not, most likely (hardware part) is not provided.

• 🔍 Visual inspection: Wirelessly charged models often (but not always) have a glass back cover, as metal blocks the magnetic field.
• 🔍 Magnet Test: In the center of the rear panel where the camera is located, there is often a magnetic ring for fixation in car holders of MagSafe-type, which indirectly indicates the presence of technology.
• 🔍 Apps: Installing an app like Ampere or DevCheck will allow you to see the connection status when you contact the charging base.

Another indirect sign is the availability of a special case with a transparent window or magnetic ring, which Xiaomi rarely completes such accessories for models that do not support wireless power transmission.

Compatibility issues and choice of accessories

When buying third-party wireless charging, users often find the phone charging slowly or interrupting the process constantly.This is because Xiaomi's (Mi Turbo Charge) fast charging protocols are proprietary. Qi standard charging runs at 5-10 watts, ignoring the capabilities of your smartphone.

For owners of devices with support for 50 watts and above, it is critical to use the original docking stations of the Xiaomi Air Charge series or partner-certified products. They have a special chip that “contracts” to the phone to increase the voltage, without this dialogue, the security system of the smartphone will limit the input current.

If you use a thick shock case or a case with metal elements (for example, a car plate), wireless charging will not work. Metal causes heating and stops the current supply, and thick plastic (more than 3-4 mm) simply will not allow the magnetic field to break through to the coil.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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