Motorola has unveiled the Edge 70 Max, marking a significant milestone as the first non-Google Android smartphone to incorporate built-in Qi2 magnetic wireless charging. This development addresses the longstanding absence of Qi2 adoption among Android manufacturers, who have been slow to integrate the standard despite its potential benefits.
The Edge 70 Max is equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor, a 6.82-inch QHD+ AMOLED display, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of UFS 4.1 storage. It also features a substantial 7,100 mAh battery supporting 90W wired charging, and boasts an IP68/IP69 rating for water and dust resistance. The camera setup includes a 50MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 32MP front-facing camera.
Motorola’s implementation of Qi2 magnetic wireless charging offers 25W charging speeds, aligning with the Qi 2.2.1 standard under the MPP25 profile. This integration enhances user convenience by facilitating better alignment with chargers and expanding compatibility with a range of magnetic accessories.
Despite these advancements, the Edge 70 Max will ship with Android 16 and is slated to receive only two OS updates, though it will benefit from five years of security updates. The device is currently available in the UK and other regions for £700, with no plans for a U.S. release at this time.
The introduction of Qi2 magnetic charging in the Edge 70 Max signifies a pivotal shift in the Android ecosystem, potentially setting a precedent for other manufacturers to follow. As wireless charging becomes increasingly prevalent, the adoption of standardized magnetic alignment could lead to a more cohesive and user-friendly experience across devices.