Some IPhone 15 Owners With BMWs Report Damaged Devices From Wireless Charging
Apple has no trouble selling every new iPhone unit it can make, but the tech giant has run into quality and usability issues with fresh tech over the years. There was the “you’re holding it wrong” debacle with the iPhone 4 way back in 2010, and subsequent models have faced questions over durability. Now, iPhone 15 early adopters who own BMW models with wireless phone charging are finding that their cars are frying their new phones.
The Drive reported on the issue, which arose on X/Twitter a few days ago. Some BMW owners are claiming that their cars fried the NFC chips in their phones, which Apple uses to enable payments and other functions, like digital keys.
The problem appears as a white screen and recovery mode on the owner’s iPhone. After a hard reset, the phones seem to work normally, minus the functions that rely on the NFC chip. There have been no announcements or fixes related to the problem, but some have stated that Apple replaced the device under warranty.
Replacements are great, but some are facing a problem: Apple’s early stock of the iPhone 15 is constrained due to high demand. One Reddit user said the company was happy to replace his friend’s device but could not offer a shipping date before November.
[Image: BMW]
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Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.
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Wireless charging is tricky, and it depends greatly on the distance between the charging (primary) coil and the receiving (secondary) coil. Greater distance requires greater power, and all losses are converted into heat.
This problem could be a design flaw by both parties.
Another good reason not to buy a BMW.
I'm not bashing iphone, I'm pretty cell phone agnostic but the iphone 15 has had a really rocky start, particularly the titanium back plate model (the aluminum is much better apparently). The titanium back plate model has a number of reports about getting extraordinarily hot with wireless charging and has caused issues beyond just in a BMW. It's also been fracturing under fairly low bending pressure. Apparently the aluminum case model is sturdy enough just like the i14, but the high zoot titanium model has a super thin titanium plate for the rear and sides and it isn't close to as rigid because it's so thin. They think the thinness and titaniums properties are part of the heat issues. Maybe hired some Ford materials engineers? Haaay-yooooo
My iPhone gets too hot while using the wireless charging in my BMW. One more line on why someone is a dumbazz list?