New EE wireless charging deal hints at iPhone X’s most-rumoured feature

The Apple iPhone X is set to be announced later tonight at a major event at the tech giant’s new multi-billion pound headquarters in Cupertino.

Tim Cook will take to the stage at the Steve Jobs Theater from 6pm BST, with the Apple boss set to unveil the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and the iPhone X.

All three gadgets are heavily rumoured to have a glass backing, which would enable wireless charging for the new range of iPhones.

And a brand new EE deal announced today could hint that the major mobile network are getting ready for this new era of iPhones.

EE have revealed today – the day of the iPhone 8 and iPhone X launch – that their shops will soon start selling the Belkin Qi wireless charging pad.

It costs £29.99, and you simply have to sit your wireless charging phone on top of it to power up the device.

The company has also announced that it will be adding the charger and some other gadgets to its “add to plan” scheme.

This allows people to spread the cost of various accessories over the length of a contract rather than pay for it in one go.

Sharon Meadows, Director of Devices, EE, said: “We’re seeing an increasing growth in the number of customers wanting wireless charging solutions, and even more smartphones that support this feature, so we’re pleased to be introducing our most affordable offer yet. 

“We’re also adding new charging and headphones options to our Add to Plan range so that so it continues to offer a better way for our customers to pay for the best new tech.”

It could simply be a coincidence that the news was announced on the same day of the iPhone 8 and iPhone X launch.

But fans will be left hoping that it’s a sign Apple could be set to announce wireless charging is coming to their new range of iPhones.

Express.co.uk previously reported how the iPhone 8 and iPhone X was expected to have revolutionary long-distance wireless charging.

Rival devices from the likes of Google, Samsung, HTC, and Huawei predominantly use the Qi open interface standard for inductive charging.

But Apple’s technology sounds like a more complete solution.

Devices using the Qi standard are only capable of wireless charging over distances of up to four centimetres (1.6 inches).

But according to rumours from Cupertino, Apple has something much more ambitious planned.

Apple last year reportedly struck a deal with wireless charging company Energous, which developed a wire-free charging solution dubbed WattUp RF capable of charging devices from up to four metres away (15-feet).

WattUp technology can be included in a wide variety of electronics, including smartphones, tablets, wearables, cameras, wireless keyboard, computer mice, remote controls, and more, according to the company.

According to Energous, up to 12 different receiver devices can be juggled by the system simultaneously.

So in theory, your Apple Watch, Apple Magic Keyboard and Mouse, iPhone 8 and iPad Pro could all be simultaneously charging whenever they are in the same room as a WattUp RF transmitter.

After the deal was struck last December, Energous CEO Steve Rizzone said: “We’re actually transferring all of our silicon operations to Dialog. 

“All the Energous technology will be sold under the Dialog branding and all sales orders will be going through Dialog. It’ll take us about 90 days to do all that.”