For years, wireless phone chargers in cars have been a frustrating afterthought. Many designs require precise positioning, often failing to deliver consistent charging – forcing drivers back to inconvenient cables. But Nissan is changing that, introducing a magnetic Qi2 wireless charger in the 2026 Pathfinder and Murano that promises reliable, effortless charging.
The Problem with Current Wireless Chargers
Existing in-car wireless charging systems struggle with alignment. Even slight misplacement can dramatically reduce charging efficiency. Many designs also overheat phones during extended use, throttling power delivery and slowing charge times. The result: a system many drivers simply avoid. This is especially frustrating given how commonplace wireless charging has become in everyday life.
Nissan’s Magnetic Solution
Nissan’s new Qi2 charger incorporates a raised magnetic circle, ensuring perfect alignment every time. Compatible with iPhones 12 and newer, Google Pixels 10 and newer, and most Android phones with compatible cases, the charger eliminates the guesswork. It’s positioned behind the shifter – while not ideal, it’s wide enough for nearly all modern smartphones.
According to Matt Zimmerman, a manager at Nissan Technical Center North America, “Proper alignment is critical… Even a few millimeters can cause a big drop in performance. The magnetic puck helps ensure the phone is properly aligned.”
Faster, Cooler Charging
The Qi2 charger also addresses overheating with an integrated fan. This keeps both the charger and the phone cool, enabling faster charging speeds. The system delivers 15 watts, compared to the 5 watts common in many older in-car chargers, achieving a 10-to-90 percent charge in just over 90 minutes. Older 5-watt chargers take around 4 hours for a full charge.
The charger includes an LED indicator: orange for charging, green for full. “It eliminates the guesswork; you can check if your phone is charging with a quick glance,” Zimmerman said.
Why This Took So Long
The first magnetic iPhone (iPhone 12) debuted in 2020, but it took over five years for automakers to integrate similar technology into vehicles. Nissan’s Qi2 charger, previewed at CES in 2023, finally makes its way into production models in 2026. This delay highlights the slow pace of automotive tech adoption compared to consumer electronics.
The Qi2 charger represents a significant step forward, addressing a long-standing frustration for drivers and finally bringing seamless wireless charging to the automotive world.
Nissan is not expected to be the only automaker to adopt Qi2 wireless charging, but it’s the first major step in improving a notoriously unreliable feature.
