This AirPower prototype shows why Apple abandoned the project

The failure of the development of the AirPower base was linked to the overheating of its prototypes.

Many of you will surely remember the resounding failure of the AirPower basic project. Its history is quite curious. In fact, the product was even presented during the iPhone X presentation in September 2017 as a wireless solution capable of charging the battery of multiple devices such as iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods simultaneously.

Unfortunately, the AirPower project was canceled due to overheating problems

after a prolonged period of use. It was a promising product, but after several years of delays, it never saw the light of day.

An old prototype of the AirPower base appears

The popular insider Kosutami had access to a prototype of the AirPower base and wanted to share it via the social network X.

I love it🤪 pic.twitter.com/tMoPg8ktSU

– Kosutami (@KosutamiSan) December 17, 2023

In the video footage we see a wireless charging base black color and worn enough that it is still operational when you place an AirPods Pro charging case in it.

It is one of the first versions AirPower prototypes. HAS 15 charging coils, a lower figure than other prototypes which featured up to 22 coils. A clear reflection of the many attempts by Apple engineers to ensure that the base does not stand out.

I forgot to mention something…
It works with Watch!
And even Android phones🤪 pic.twitter.com/0uQyv8PhpU

– Kosutami (@KosutamiSan) December 19, 2023

Apparently, the prototype of Apple’s AirPower wireless charging base also works by charging the battery of the Apple Watch and even Android smartphones.

In the words of @KosutamiSan

, when devices are misaligned, the AirPower base begins to get extremely hot. Even leave heat marks on devices. On the other hand, if it is correctly aligned with the charging coils, it maintains a stable low voltage charge.

Internal circuit of the AirPower charging base

The prototype does not have an external case, so this allows us to have access to its entire internal chip circuit.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a prototype of this Apple wireless charging base.. In mid-2021, a working prototype of the AirPower was leaked, allowing us to see Apple’s efforts to move the project forward. They tried to incorporate fewer transmission coils to prevent overheating and even integrated an A11 chip to manage its power. Nothing worked. The project had already failed before its birth.