Our phones have taken the spotlight with recent advancements in AI-powered features, camera technology, and battery life. If you’re not paying close attention, it’s easy to miss the slow but significant evolution in mobile accessories as well. From phone cases to camera attachments, virtually everything is taking a step forward.
Find out what the future of accessories looks like with this quick guide.
The Biggest New Advancements
Gallium Nitride (GaN) Chargers
100W chargers that can fit into your pocket were little more than science fiction as recently as 2021. The introduction of GaN chargers has changed all that in what feels like the blink of an eye, and the changes are impressive to say the least.
GaN chargers use gallium nitride semiconductors instead of the usual silicon we’re used to. This allows chargers to output a lot more power at a faster rate without heating up and eventually shutting down. We’re already seeing 100W multi-device chargers that can juice up a new Galaxy Fold to 50% in less than 15 minutes.
Wondering about Apple? They already use GaN technology in some of their devices. For example, the higher-end MacBook Air 2021 release was the first to feature GaN technology. We might see this trickle down into their new iPhone releases if the company decides to upgrade their phones to handle the additional capacity, but this probably won’t happen until 2-3 more generations.
Wireless Charging Dominance
The rise of wireless accessories isn’t news for most of us, but the subtle improvements in wireless charging tend to fly under the radar.
Take the Qi2 wireless charging standard as an example. This standard raised charging speeds up to 15W from the 7.5 we were used to with Qi. Qi2 was only released in 2023, and it’s already the go-to for first and third-party wireless charging accessories. With that in mind, let’s take a look at what the future might look like:
- Qi3 is undoubtedly in the works already. Although we don’t know the exact specs yet, it’s fair to say we might see a move to 30W wireless charging for Apple devices (certain Android devices like the Google Pixel can already hit 23W).
If they can pull this off, it’ll put wireless charging speeds at parity with wired fast charging for Apple. - Charging ports might be on the way out if Apple achieves 30W wireless charging. They’ve already shown their commitment to sustainability and downsizing by removing chargers, and charging wires are the logical next step.
MagSafe Accessories
We can’t talk about the rise of wireless charging and not mention MagSafe accessories. Apple’s proprietary wireless technology has opened the playing field for manufacturers everywhere, allowing them to build innovative new mobile accessories like:
- Power pack cases
- MagSafe car mounts
- MagSafe multi-device docks
- MagSafe wallets
Each of these accessories can have a massive impact on how you use your phone and even your daily lifestyle. For example, a MagSafe power pack case can give your old iPhone 12 all-day battery life, letting you leave your bulky charger at home and commute fearlessly.
The best thing about these accessories is that they exist independently of Apple’s first-party ecosystem. You don’t need to buy directly from Apple to get the best possible MagSafe accessories, and third-party products are usually even better.
AI-Enhanced Accessories
AI is something of a buzzword by now, and many companies do use it that way. That said, there are a few examples of more reliable brands using AI to improve mobile accessories noticeably.
Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, released late 2024, are in the spotlight here. These headphones come with Samsung’s signature noise cancellation features, as you might expect. The surprise here, however, is the addition of Samsung’s proprietary AI-enhanced features:
- You can use the headphone’s internal AI chip to perform live translation if you’re on a call.
- The headphones can also automatically adjust noise levels and sound signatures based on your surroundings.
Advanced Phone Cases
Leaps in manufacturing technology and changing consumer preferences have led to seismic shifts in phone case designs. For example, certain brands use graphite to reinforce their phone cases, giving them unparalleled durability while allowing them to retain the flexibility and lightness that buyers want.
The Future is Now
The days of Googling ‘is fast charging bad for your phone?’ are long gone. Advancements in everything from charging technologies to wireless accessories have fundamentally changed the way we use our phones, and it’s only getting better from here.