iOS 17.2 Update Boosts Camera Speed and Enables Qi2 Charging on iPhones
Following the release of iOS 17.2 Beta 4 last week, Apple has now shipped the Release Candidate or RC version to developers and testers. The latest firmware does give a hint of the new features and changes that might make it to the final version. The final stable update would most likely be rolled out to the public as early as this week or next week.
In the changelog that Apple published, most of the listed features have been introduced in previous betas, including the new shortcut on Action Button and Journal app. However, there are a few items that have been removed and won’t make it in the final cut, like collaborative playlists on Apple Music.
What’s included at the last minute are selected vital enhancements, which include the activation of Qi2 charging on the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14. It appears that Qi2 chargers are backwards compatible with these older iPhone models and just required a software update to be enabled. For starters, Qi2 is based on Apple’s MagSafe design and offers a more efficient and faster charging speed. A slew of Qi2-enabled chargers and accessories are expected to be available this December.
There is also a fix for the ongoing wireless charging issues on selected vehicles that users experienced with the new iPhone 15 (review) and iPhone 15 Pro. It was reported earlier that drivers noticed how their iPhones won’t charge wirelessly on some GM vehicles. Although Apple did not specify which car makes and models were affected, the update is likely a general solution for all brands and covers the GM umbrella. Even prior to iOS 17.2, it was known that some BMW models were plagued by a wireless charging problem involving the iPhone 15. The Cupertino company has addressed this via iOS 17.1.1 as a hotfix for the issue as well as instances of slowing Wi-Fi connection.
A more specific fix included in this software targeted the telephoto camera on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. In the changelog, it described that the focusing speed has been improved when using the telephoto sensor on the two iPhone camera phones. In addition to this, Apple added the ability to record 3D or spatial videos on the iPhone 15 Pro duo. These immersive videos can then be viewed on the new Apple Vision Pro XR/VR headset.
If you’re not enrolled in the Apple’s Developer Program, you should expect that the stable iOS 17.2 update will be ready sometime this week or next. Likewise, you can check out the rest of the new and exciting iOS 17.2 features in our hub page. What’s your favorite iOS 17.2 feature so far? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.