Wireless charging has become commonplace in premium smartphones launched in the past few years, but OnePlus has been slow to jump on this trend. For many users, the lack of wireless charging is not much of an issue, and OnePlus has always claimed that they are always looking for the fastest possible charging option, which is not possible with wireless technology.

However, OnePlus appears to be changing course. A look at the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) membership page shows OnePlus listed alongside other major smartphone manufacturers, including Apple, Samsung, and Huawei. Android Police first reported this news.

The WPC is a group of companies responsible for managing the Qi wireless charging standard, the leading standard for mobile devices. Membership in the group gives them access to the technology and allows them to include compatible transmitters and receivers in their products.

OnePlus' latest models, the OnePlus 7T and OnePlus 7T Pro, do not feature wireless charging, but both have glass backs. Wireless charging requires a non-metallic back, so contrary to the company's statement, the company has always appeared to be preparing to implement wireless charging for some time.

Suggestions that OnePlus' upcoming OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro (some unofficial renderings have already been seen) will feature wireless charging were based on a tweet by leaker Max J (embedded above). The fact that OnePlus has now joined the WPC may mean that they are already working on adding wireless charging.

However, this is only the first step in OnePlus' wireless ambitions, and it is possible that wireless charging will not be included in OnePlus phones for a year or two. We're betting on 2020 and the OnePlus 8.