Got an iPhone 8? Make sure you only buy a car from this list
If you have an iPhone 8 or an iPhone 8 Plus, and fancy charging your phone in your car, we have some good news. Apple has released a list of car manufacturers and models that offer Qi-certified wireless charging.
Ten manufacturers offer compatible wireless chargers. They are:
Audi
BMW
Chrysler
Ford
Honda
Mercedes-Benz
PSA
Toyota
Volkswagen
Volvo
All iPhone 8s can charge in cars from these manufacturers. Some models can't fit the iPhone 8 Plus (or other "phablet"-sized phones like the Samsung Galaxy Note 8).
General Motors vehicles are trickier. While some Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC models from 2017 and before are equipped with wireless charging, they do not, according to Apple, meet the requirements for Qi certification. This means to charge your iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus, you'll need a 2018 model.
The following are compatible:
2018 GMC Terrain
2018 GMC Yukon
2018 GMC Sierra
2018 Chevrolet Bolt
2018 Chevrolet Tahoe
2018 Chevrolet Silverado
2018 Chevrolet Suburban
2018 Cadillac Escalade
2018 Buick Enclave
For the uninitiated, Qi is a charging standard developed by the multinational Wireless Power Consortium. To gain Qi certification, devices must pass rigorous tests for compatibility with wireless charging products, resistance to overheating, and power transmission capability. All new iPhone models feature Qi wireless charging, as does Samsung's Galaxy lineup.
This may be evidence of the looming dominance of wireless charging and the Qi standard. With everything from hybrid cars to restaurants moving towards charging pads, it seems that charging cables may soon be a thing of the past.
Monica wrote for Mashable's Tech section with a focus on retail, internet of things, and the intersections of technology and social justice. She holds a degree in creative writing from Brown University, and has previously written for Dow Jones Media, the New York Post, Yahoo Finance, and others. In her free time, she can be found attempting to cook Asian food, buying board games, and looking for new hobbies.