Wireless charging has been around for a while, but it has only started to improve in the last few years. More and more manufacturers are adopting the ubiquitous Qi standard for wireless charging, and the technology is now in virtually every flagship phone.
What exactly is wireless charging, how does it work, and does your phone even support it? Let's answer all of these questions and more.
Samsung has been supporting wireless charging since the launch of the Galaxy S6 and Huawei with the excellent Mate 20 Pro.
Apple has taken over wireless charging with the iPhone X and iPhone 8, as well as the iPhone 8 Plus. Since then, it has been included in the iPhone XS and XS Max, as well as the new iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro, and the new-generation iPhone XR and iPhone SE.
An increasing number of phones also support reverse wireless charging, which allows you to charge other devices through the phone. For more information, see What is reverse wireless charging, and what phones have it?
What is a magic circle charger?
magic circle charger transfers power from an electrical outlet to your device without the need for a connection cable.
It's a power transmission pad and receiver, sometimes in the form of a case that is attached to a mobile device or built into the phone itself. When we said it was wireless, it isn't quite because the pad has a cable that goes from the socket into the pad.
How does wireless charging work?
Wireless charging is based on inductive charging, where electricity is generated by passing an electrical current through two coils to create an electromagnetic field.
When the receiving magnetic disk of the mobile device comes into contact with the transmitter - or at least within the specified range - the magnetic field creates an electrical current within the device.
This current is then converted into direct current (DC), which in turn charges the built-in battery.
What is the standard for wireless charging?
The most important wireless standard is Qi (pronounced "chee"). Qi is a standard that was developed by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) for inductive charging over distances of up to 40 mm.
Wireless Qi charging has been adopted by many major smartphone manufacturers: Samsung, Apple, Sony, LG, HTC, Huawei, Nokia (HMD), Motorola, and Blackberry. It is now also being installed in numerous vehicles - see below.
Another standard for wireless charging was Powermat. It has been used by some retailers like Starbucks to allow customers to charge their phones. But if you will, it lost the format war, and Powermat said in 2018 that it would develop commercial wireless charging technology compatible with Qi.
Qi has three separate power specifications starting with the low power consumption that we're talking about here, mainly for charging mobile devices. At the moment, there are several wattages that can be applied to it. 5W is a minimum, while some handsets support 7.5W, 10W, and up to 15W, and 30W in a later version of the standard. However, individual companies can develop their own technologies to achieve faster wireless charging speeds.
Who Sells Wireless Charging Mats and Stands?
Many peripheral manufacturers now have their own wireless chargers, including Anker, Belkin, Logitech, Moshi, and Mophie. Some of them look like mats or pads, others like desk stands.
The best wireless chargers available today
Wireless charging is now offered in a variety of locations. The extraordinary Swedish flat-pack Ikea has a range of furniture, mainly side tables and lamps, with integrated Qi wireless charging. The furniture chain also sells standalone wireless charging pads, as well as a range of cases for various phones.
Apple's own wireless charging mat - called AirPower - was never launched, but there are many third-party versions that charge your iPhone, Apple Watch, and the latest AirPods with a wireless charging case. AirUnleashed is one of them, while Belkin has an AirPower mat.
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