Most wireless chargers use magnets that give phones a strong grip as power flows. Cars, however, still skip this idea, which feels strange. I struggle to find a downside. Drivers know the frustration well—placing a phone on a wireless charger, only to arrive with 19% battery left—or worse, a device that’s overheated or shifted out of position. I can’t help but wonder if automakers just don’t want to take on the extra work. Fortunately, Nissan is moving ahead, becoming one of the first car brands in the US to introduce Qi2 wireless charging.
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What makes Qi2 different
Qi2 stands as an open wireless power standard from the Wireless Power Consortium, and it brings major gains over Qi. For example, Qi capped power at 5W, while Qi2 pushes that number to 15W, the same level as MagSafe.
When Nissan adds Qi2, drivers gain faster power flow, better stability, and less frustration during each trip. The system keeps output steady at up to 15W, which helps phones stay connected.
Friends who take long drives tell me a common story. They glance over and see a phone slide on the tray, break contact, and stop power flow. They then need to move it back into place. If that sounds familiar, Qi2 offers a fix. The design includes a magnetic ring that locks a phone in place. It works with iPhone models from 12 onward, Pixel models from 10 onward, and Android phones that use matching cases.
“With the magnetized puck-like surface, drivers can easily place their phone on the charger and know it’s working without needing to adjust it mid-drive,” says Angela Moon, a senior manager of Research and Development at Nissan Technical Center North America (NTCNA).
Another improvement is the built-in cooling fan, which helps manage heat for both the phone and the charger. Similar to ESR’s CryoBoost design, this feature proves especially helpful for drivers who live in hot climates.
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Which Nissan models get Qi2 charging
The Qi2 wireless charger will debut in select 2026 model-year vehicles, including the Nissan Murano and the Nissan Pathfinder, with the Pathfinder arriving in early 2026. Trucks and SUVs were Nissan’s primary growth drivers in the fourth quarter and throughout 2025. Looking ahead to 2026, the addition of the Qi2 charger should help the refreshed Pathfinder stand out even more to prospective buyers.
Parting thoughts on Nissan’s magnetic phone charger
Qi2 wireless charging fixes a problem I’ve never understood why drivers were asked to tolerate for so long. By adopting a faster, magnetized, and actively cooled standard, Nissan removes a small but persistent annoyance that affects nearly every drive. To me, this kind of upgrade matters because it improves something people use daily, not just on paper.
As trucks and SUVs continue to drive Nissan’s growth, thoughtful features like Qi2 help those vehicles feel more modern and competitive. If this rollout goes well, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Qi2 become a baseline expectation rather than a standout feature.
Grigor Baklajyan is a copywriter covering technology at Gadget Flow. His contributions include product reviews, buying guides, how-to articles, and more.