AirPower still planned
Your iPhone is empty, but your iPad is not yet. In such a case, it is already possible to charge another device via the USB-C port of some iPads. But that's not all: Apple has plans to expand this even further. It also looks at wireless charging at short and long distances. It is not the first time such rumors have been circulating. As recently as June, it was rumored that Apple was still working on the AirPower and exploring wireless charging at a distance. Those rumors are not over yet.
This is according to Bloomberg's Power On newsletter. According to Mark Gurman, Apple is still working on a multi-device charger that's different from the existing MagSafe Duo charger, which basically consists of two separate chargers connected together.
Gurman writes:
I think Apple is still working on some sort of multi-device charger that will eventually come to market. There's a reason the company wanted to release this accessory in 2017. I also believe that Apple is working on short- and long-range wireless chargers and envisions a future where all of Apple's major devices can charge each other. Imagine an iPad charging an iPhone and then that iPhone charging AirPods or an Apple Watch.
This is reminiscent of the many rumors about the ‘reverse’ charging your AirPods on the back of an iPhone. There was supposed to be, but it never got off the ground. What also did not get off the ground is the AirPower, the wireless charging mat where you can place your devices on it at random places.