Wired vs Wireless Charging: Meaning, Types, advantages & Usage

Obviously, Qi wireless charging has not come to replace wired/cable charging. However, there are more than 10 reasons why you should get yourself a wireless charging device. This post looks at wired vs wireless charging vis-a-vis the benefits of using one over the other.

There are various methods of charging a phone. One method is using the cable and adapter, another method is by using the charging cable connected to a USB port, now we have wireless charging. Apparently, the only way to charge a phone without connecting the charging cable to the phone is via Qi wireless charging.

Table of Contents

What is Qi Inductive Wireless Charging?

Qi from the Chinese word qi) is an open interface standard that defines wireless power transfer using inductive charging over distances of up to 4 cm (1.6 inches), and is developed by the Wireless Power Consortium.

Essentially, wireless charging (a.k.a wireless power transfer) uses electromagnetic fields to safely transfer power from a transmitting source to a receiving device for the purposes of charging (or recharging) a battery. And as the name suggests, it does so without the use of a physical connection

Simple, efficient, and safe, Qi charges or powers an array of devices. This ranges from smartphones to cordless kitchen appliances and so on. Qi combines induction and resonance technologies to deliver a superior standard.

How does Qi Wireless Charging work?

Wireless charging is based on the principle of magnetic resonance, or Inductive Power Transfer (IPT). This is the process of transferring electrical current between two objects through the use of coils to induce an electromagnetic field.

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Concepts of Wireless Charging for Smartphones

It is not surprising that the most well-known application of wireless charging is for smartphones.

In recent years, the number of phone manufacturers who have offered wireless charging capabilities has steadily grown. And as for those brands which do not have wireless charging functionality, you can acquire a myriad of external charging cases which can enable wireless charging of these devices.

Currently, we have wireless charging that can fast charge your device, we have one that can share power between two phones, and there is also one that can charge at least two compatible devices simultaneously.

Wireless charging technology enables consistent, safe charging of single devices when placed accurately on a charging pad. This is the characteristic of inductive charging systems. The leading standard worldwide for this technology is Qi which is used by over 1000 products worldwide.

Which Devices Support Qi Inductive Wireless Charging

All high-end Newer flagship phones from popular phone manufacturers technically support Qi wireless charging. However, the list of older flagship can be found bellow:

Samsung Galaxy S5 (via a charging flip cover)
Xiaomi Mi 9
Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer
Samsung Galaxy S6
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge
Xiaomi Mi Mix 3
Samsung galaxy s7 and s7 edge
Galaxy s8, s8+, s9 and s9+
Samsung Galaxy s10, s10e, s10+ and s10 5G
Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S
iPhone 7 via a special charging kit
Apple iPhone 8 Plus
iPhone X
Apple iPhone xs
iPhone xs max
XR
iPhone XI(Upcoming)
Samsung Galaxy Note 4
Galaxy Note 8
Galaxy Note 9
Samsung Galaxy Note 10(upcoming)
Google Nexus 4-7
Motorola Droid Maxx
Nokia Lumia 920
LG V50 ThinQ
Nokia Lumia 928
Huawei p30 PRO
Nokia Lumia 929
Huawei mate 20 PRO
Nokia Lumia 930
Nokia Lumia 1020
LG G8 ThinQ
Huawei porshce
Nokia Lumia 1520

How to check if your Smartphone supports wireless charging

The above list is not exhaustive, to view the exhaustive list please follow this link. We have Qi-integrated phones and Qi-ready phones. Examples, of qi ready phones, are Samsung galaxy s5, galaxy note 2, Nokia Lumia Icon, HTC Incredible 2, Motorola droid bionic, and so on. You need an addon to be able to use wireless charging on qi-enabled phones. As for qi integrated phones, you only need to buy the charging pad and start using it. If your phone is compatible with Qi charging, all you need to do is purchase a Qi charging pad.

Visit any of the two websites below to check if your phone supports QI charging

Wired vs Wireless Charging: The Benefits of Using QI Charging over Wired/Cable Charging

While I will not recommend that you substitute your wired charging for wireless charging because each has its strengths and weaknesses. let us now compare the benefits of Qi charging.

Security of your Device

You can add some elements of security while charging your phone. For example, you can be charging your phone while it is in your pocket with AirVolt.

Alternatively, if you get a very long USB charging cable like mine. You can be charging your phone on your desk while the wall adapter is plugged into a socket far away from where you are sitting or lying. This allows you to keep tab of your phone at all times. On the contrary, if you were to be using a wired cable, you may think twice before charging your phone in an insecure environment.

Charge your device wirelessly without connecting any receiver to a power source

Wireless charging Powershare popularised by Samsung is a technology that can allow you to charge any Qi-compatible device with a Samsung s10, s10e, or s10+ phone. When using this feature, you use a phone to charge a phone. In other words, you don’t need any power source or cable.

It is overall safer to charge your phone wirelessly

Especially relevant for those who love charging while in bed. It is safer(health-wise) to place your charging pad on your bedside table and charge your phone. Anything can hardly go wrong with this habit.

You can Move Around or use your Phone While Charging

A new wireless charging device in the person of AirVolt allows the user to move around while holding the mobile phone while charging. Obviously, your movement is restricted while using wired charging.

You can Save Money by Using Wireless Chargers

We all know that the charging cables that come with our phones are fragile. In no time, they get ripped apart and you start looking for money to buy a replacement. if you support your original charger with wireless charging, you can save your original USB cable for a long time to come. remember you need this cable to also transfer data

With a QI wireless pad, you can say Farewell to USB Cables for Charging

Frustrated with messy, often incompatible cables? Qi charging technology cuts the cord for your devices – finally, they are truly wireless

It offers you more Mobility

You can move more freely and use on hand to charge your phone when using qi charging system. you only need to pick and drop as against plug and unplug that is associated with cord charging.

It is more reliable than Wired Charging

With Qi, charging you know that you can always count on it because you can test the pad to see if it is functional before you start charging. This is not always the case with cord charging. at times a USB charger will charge your phone halfway and fail to continue charging it. other times, your USB charging port may be too loose to secure the cable. With a charging pad, you can still charge your phone even if your charging port is entirely damaged. Generally, a Qi inductive chargers are easier to troubleshoot when not working.

Wireless charging support 3rd party charging cables and adapters better than wired charging

Currently, I am using a 3rd party cable to power my Samsung Duo wireless charging pad without issues. If I try the same with my phone, I may not get the desired result.

With Wireless Chargers, you can minimize accidental damage to your phone

It is safer to pick up your phone with a charging pad in one hand. This is convenient and it gives little room for mistakes or accidents. On the contrary, you need your two hands to unplug your phone from the cable otherwise, you risk damaging its charging port, the cable, or dropping the device.

Advantages of Wired/Cable Charging over Qi Wireless Chargers

There is nothing that has advantages without disadvantages. Here are the reasons why you may still choose to stick to your OEM cable and adapter for charging your phones.

The secure feeling of using what your phone’s maker recommends out of the box. You sure know that nothing can go wrong using your original charger and cable.
Cable charging faster adaptive charging is faster than that Qi charging. In the same way the fastest wired internet connection is faster than the fastest wireless hotspot.
Mobility and portability are easier with your wired charger. Nowadays, our adapters are getting smaller while wireless charging pads are getting bigger.
I will say the phone charging adapter can be more durable than most charging pads under the same use. I have many adapters that outlive my phones.

Types of Qi Wireless Chargers

True wireless chargers, for example, the one by Airvolt: This device enables long-distance wireless charging with a maximum transmission distance of up to 12 meters. In other words, you can charge your phone while you use it.

Standard/regular wireless charging pad. With a standard wireless charging pad, you can charge your compatible Qi-compatible devices, without the need to plug your device into a wall charger or USB port. See below

Universal Wireless Charger Duo, Fast Charge Stand & Pad. A good example is the one by Samsung. This is the overall most powerful of them all. With this device, you can fast charge two phones at once. Pad charging also supports charging for Gear S3 and apple watch. It will also support later Samsung smartwatches
Last but not least, we have Samsung wireless PowerShare charging technology. With the new Wireless PowerShare feature, the Galaxy S10 can share its power to help charge another phone or watch. All you need to do is place the two devices together. The image below explains this further

How to use Wireless Charging on QI Supported Phones

Using my Samsung wireless charger as an example(Note: wireless charging is not the same as charging over wifi) It means no wired connection between the phone and the charging pad. However, there is a physical wired connection between the charging pad and the power source. In other words, you connect your charging pad to a power source and then place your phone on it. An indicator light will come up once the phone is placed correctly. I have a picture of this below: