AI-Guided Drones Transform Ukraine’s Battlefield Strategy 
Hikvision Challenges FCC Rule Tightening Restrictions on Chinese Telecom Equipment 
Baidu Cuts Jobs as AI Competition and Ad Revenue Slump Intensify 
Nexperia Urges China Division to Resume Chip Production as Supply Risks Mount 
Anthropic Reportedly Taps Wilson Sonsini as It Prepares for a Potential 2026 IPO 
Intel Boosts Malaysia Operations with Additional RM860 Million Investment 
Wikipedia Pushes for AI Licensing Deals as Jimmy Wales Calls for Fair Compensation 
Senate Sets December 8 Vote on Trump’s NASA Nominee Jared Isaacman 
Apple Leads Singles’ Day Smartphone Sales as iPhone 17 Demand Surges 
Quantum Systems Projects Revenue Surge as It Eyes IPO or Private Sale 
Sam Altman Reportedly Explored Funding for Rocket Venture in Potential Challenge to SpaceX 
Microchip Technology Boosts Q3 Outlook on Strong Bookings Momentum 
EU Prepares Antitrust Probe Into Meta’s AI Integration on WhatsApp 
Norway’s Wealth Fund Backs Shareholder Push for Microsoft Human-Rights Risk Report 
Amazon and Google Launch New Multicloud Networking Service to Boost High-Speed Cloud Connectivity 
Vietnam’s Growing Use of Chinese 5G Technology Raises Western Concerns 
ByteDance Unveils New AI Voice Assistant for ZTE Smartphones 
When Apple held the “Hi, Speed” event earlier this month, everyone likely thought the company has said everything there is to say about the iPhone 12 series. However, a newly uncovered information from an FCC filing suggests that the new smartphone could be hiding reverse charging support.
iPhone 12 feature: Why Apple didn’t announce reverse charging support
Reverse charging has been one of the more recent features added to premium smartphones. It practically allows the device to function as a charging hub for other hardware or accessories.
One would think that a new feature as significant as this one would have been allowed a few minutes during Apple’s October event. But the company only announced adding MagSage support in the iPhone 12 series and unveiling a new magnetic Qi wireless charging puck.
However, VentureBeat’s Jeremy Horwitz found that Apple’s FCC filings for the iPhone 12 are hinting at the potential presence of reverse charging as a MagSafe-supported feature for the new smartphones. “In addition to being able to be charged by a desktop [wireless power transfer] charger (puck), 2020 iPhone models ... also support WPT charging function at 360 kHz to charge accessories. Currently, the only accessory that can be charged by iPhones is an external potential apple accessory in future,” the document reads.
All in all, the filing indicates that the unannounced charging feature worked, albeit in limited conditions. During the testing, the document said the phone was able to charge “only” when it was connected to a power outlet. That means while a reverse charging feature is very likely through MagSafe, it might not work in a “wireless” setup.
The possibilities this present for the iPhone 12 series is interesting, but it is still unknown if Apple ever plans to announce it. It is also unclear with which “future” devices and accessories this charging function will be compatible, but Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggests an upcoming AirPods with MagSafe support is one option.
iPhone 12 release dates
Even without announcing the reverse charging feature, the iPhone 12 series is still significant for the product line as it consists of the first Apple smartphones to support 5G. A design overhaul was also applied along with the switch to OLED panel on all four models.
The two variants with 6.1” screen -- iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro -- are now available for purchase. Meanwhile, the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max pre-orders will open on Nov. 6.
