A technology has now become available that allows phones to be charged without using a cable. Its advantage is that this procedure is faster and easier, and you do not have to connect your smartphone to the network every time - you just need to place the device on top of the wireless charging pad.
There are various competing standards for this technology. The most popular of these is Qi, which is now supported by companies like Samsung, Google and Nokia. However, more and more manufacturers are starting to use it in one form or another.
Which phones support wireless charging?
Some smartphone models have a built-in wireless charging function (their rating is presented below). Other devices will need to replace the back cover or case for this. Qi accessories are tailor-made for specific phones, so if you connect them yourself, make sure you select a compatible model.
If a dedicated wireless charging cover is not available for your smartphone, you can use a universal adapter that allows you to use this technology even for older devices.
What do you need to know about wireless charging?
As noted above, the Qi standard is currently in the lead, which is used today in most Android devices. The technology works by using magnetic induction, which allows energy to be transferred from the platform to the phone's battery. The Qi standard, whose name in Chinese means "air" or "flow of spiritual energy", was created in 2008 and began to be developed simultaneously with the participation of 206 companies, including Microsoft, Samsung and Sony.
Talking about which devices support wireless charging, the less common PMA standard should also be remembered. It also works by magnetic induction, but its area of distribution is somewhat lower. In June 2014, PMA developers partnered with Duracell to place charging platforms in select public areas in the United States to promote the technology. If this idea turns out to be viable in the long term, it is possible that more smartphone manufacturers will start using this standard.
If we talk about which phone models support Qi-standard wireless charging, then the choice will be very large. Even if your Android smartphone does not have this technology built in, you can get the universal Qi receiver, which costs only about $ 15. Despite its cumbersomeness, it will add essential convenience to you when using the gadget. The device attaches to the back of your device, which can then be placed on any Qi-compatible charging platform. Regarding which phones support Qi wireless charging, it is worth noting that there is a receiver for the iPhone (models 5, 5s and 6) that is also receiving positive reviews. Its cost is about $ 30.
Which phones support wireless charging (list of gadgets)
Those who are interested in the new technology will find it useful to know the rating of devices that have built-in Qi standards.
The most famous model in this regard is the Samsung Galaxy S6, which is currently available for around $ 200. According to user reviews, this is one of the best Android devices in general. Also, this device is the leader in the use of wireless charging. The smartphone is compatible with both Qi and PMA technologies. With its sleek design, good performance and a large 16MP camera, this phone outperforms the iPhone in some ways. The commercially available Qi charger has a nice long cable for connecting to the network. Its edges are highlighted with a light blue tint during charging and turn green when charging is complete.
Devices that can charge wirelessly include the following:
- Samsung Galaxy Note Edge.
- Samsung Galaxy Note 4.
- Google Nexus 6.
- Motorola Droid Turbo and others.
Other Samsung models
Analyzing which Samsung phones support wireless charging, one cannot but recall this model also simultaneously supports both Qi and PMA standards. An attractive curved design and an easy-to-use display give wearers instant access to messages and other important data, while the built-in adapter does not degrade user experience in the least. If the gadget itself can be purchased for about $ 300, the cost of the Pad to charge would be about $ 40.
Also belongs to this category of devices. This smartphone with an innovative curved screen offers very strong graphics performance on a bright display. Its screen size is significantly larger than that of other devices, so the battery consumption is correspondingly faster. This model does not integrate wireless charging directly into the back of the phone, but there is a special Samsung cover with Qi support that replaces the standard back of the device. This component costs approximately $ 25 and is available in two color options: Charcoal Black and Snow White.
If you ask which phones support wireless charging in general, you will notice that this technology affects mainly gadgets with high hardware capacities, for which the ability to quickly charge them is especially important.
Based on this, it is completely not surprising that it is also equipped with the described technology. This gadget is distinguished by high multitasking, fast and high-quality camera and high brightness of the 5.7-inch screen. In order to carry out its wireless charging, you will need a special case. It is available for about $ 30 and comes in two colors.
At the same time, Samsung is not the only manufacturer to use this technology in large quantities. What other brands of phones support wireless charging? Consider below.
Other brands
Google Nexus 6 has an almost 6-inch screen and is equipped with a high-power processor, so it especially needs fast and efficient charging. Qi technology is built in here from the very beginning, so there is no need to buy an additional cover or case. This gadget is quite expensive - about $ 500, but amateurs highly appreciate its hardware power along with Android 5.0. All this offers users a high level of comfort. Despite the fact that there is no dedicated platform for wireless charging, the universal component will do its job perfectly.
Speaking of which phones support wireless charging, we can't help but mention a model like the Motorola Droid Turbo. This smartphone with a screen of just over 5 inches has a 21MP camera and many built-in functions. Its battery lasts about 9 hours with active use, so the built-in Qi technology is very useful. There is also a special charger for this model, which places the phone in an upright position. This means you can continue to use the device while charging.
Sony brand
As already noted, manufacturers such as Samsung, Google and Sony are most actively using the new technology. Which Sony phones support wireless charging? First of all, this is the Sony Xperia Z3 - a waterproof gadget that, with active use, lasts up to 12 hours without recharging. Its screen is high brightness and its speakers provide loud, chic acoustics. Despite the fact that it costs about $ 400, the device is very popular. The wireless charging cover will have to be purchased separately and costs over $ 100.
Can I adapt my smartphone?
Which phones support wireless charging without built-in technology? If your device does not have native Qi support, you can separately purchase and install an adapter on it and use the universal wireless charger. Depending on the brand of the gadget, you can connect the adapter via the micro-USB port (on the Android platform) or "lightning" (on the iPhone).
Universal Wireless Charging Adapters
If your phone is not listed above, then you need a universal adapter and a wireless charger. You can get them for phones with micro-USB ports (like Android) and lightning ports (like iPhone). In this way, you can update and improve almost all devices on the market. If we talk about, for example, which Xiaomi phones support wireless charging, then with the above method, you will be able to charge even a 5-year-old model without a cable.
Universal charger
Once you have made sure that your phone supports wireless charging (by built-in functionality, using a special cover or by connecting an adapter - it doesn't matter), you need to purchase a wireless charger.
There are currently many such Qi devices available in various sizes, shapes and colors. You can buy such a component not only for use at home or in the office, but also for a car, and even a portable Qi battery. If you have purchased a smartphone that supports wireless charging, it is advisable to choose a charger specially designed for it. If you do not have one or you have updated your gadget yourself, finding a universal device will not be difficult.
Technologies make life more convenient for the modern user of mobile devices in various aspects. If until recently the main competitive positions were concentrated in the devices themselves, today manufacturers are paying more and more attention to accessories and peripheral components.
One of them is How does this device work and how can it be useful for a modern user? The answers to these questions lie in the very concept of communication, which excludes a wired connection. Wireless is designed to save people the hassle of awkward connectors. In many ways, this idea was realized, but not without the disadvantages of such devices.
Features of wireless chargers
In the very first years of the proliferation of phones for cellular communications, manufacturers had to make a reservation when positioning such gadgets as mobiles. The fact is that they were and remain mobile only conditionally, since there is a dependence on the charger cable. Removing all the conventions of such a designation of mobile phones and smartphones allowed wireless charging.
How does this device work? All the technologies on which such charging is based are based on the principles of distance. It is important to note that the spread of wireless communication and information transmission technologies is not something new and surprising for a long time. Radio signal modules, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi sensors, network access points - all this, to one degree or another, allows the transmission of information signals.
However, the novelty and fundamental difference with the wireless principle of operation lies precisely in the possibility of transmitting energy over a distance to power the batteries.
Principle of operation
The most common design of such devices provides for the presence of induction coils in the filling. In fact, they function as receivers as well as transmitters of electrical signals. When the charging itself is connected to the mains, a voltage is formed, after which a magnetic field is formed around the transmitting coil. Actually, after entering this field of the phone, wireless charging is also activated.
How does charge refill work? By converting electromagnetic waves, which are transferred to the battery already as electricity. In this case, the target object for food can be not only a phone or a smartphone. Developers are guided by wide standards of batteries and batteries, which also apply to some models of tablets, cameras, players and other equipment.
Depending on the model of the device and its characteristics, different conditions for maintaining charging are possible. For example, to understand how it works, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the Qi energy transfer standard. Such a transmitter is capable of replenishing the battery capacity at a distance of 3-5 cm, that is, practically the mobile device should be in contact with the charger.
Wireless charger safety
The ability of the chargers to transfer energy over distances rightly raises questions regarding their safety for users, who, in any case, will be in the area of the induction coils. However, manufacturers claim that such devices do not cause any harm to health.
Examples include electric shavers and brushes that operate on the same principle of electromagnetic fields as wireless phone chargers. How does the charging pad work in contact with other equipment and does it harm it? This question is also raised, but manufacturers deny this danger.
The fact is that the maximum power at which such devices operate is no more than 5 watts. This is not enough to have a negative effect even on devices that are sensitive to electromagnetic fields.
Devices from Samsung
One of the most successful developments in the Korean wireless charger segment is the Wireless Charging Pad. This is an optimized version of the base family that addresses common problems with most of these first-generation devices. One of the main advantages of this model is the ability to interact with the phone battery regardless of its position relative to the functional platform.
The commercial version is represented by a wireless charger for Samsung Galaxy S6, which supports the WPC standard. This technology differs in that it is suitable not only for Galaxy smartphones, but also for most other Samsung phones. In addition, as the manufacturer notes, charging can replenish energy to half the capacity in just a few minutes.
Apple devices
I must say right away that Apple products do not support wireless charging technologies. However, the manufacturer is looking for alternative ways to provide this capability to its users.
In particular, he recommends the use of accessories in the form of Duracell covers. Therefore, the question of whether wireless charging works through the case, in the case of iPhones, will have a positive answer. If this method does not suit you, you can use an iQi-format receiver card. It connects through a special Lightning connector and also hides under a standard smartphone case.
Devices from Cota
Cota employees are also developing interesting proposals. They are not just mastering the concepts of dedicated charging panels for mobile devices, but are striving to maximize the range of their field of action. For example, in addition to phones and tablets, such a device can energize wearable electronics. And for this it is not necessary to bring the device close to the active panel.
A small device the size of a bread bin works at a distance of 10 m. The question arises: "How does wireless charging work with such a radius? Is it effective enough?" And here it is worth returning to wearable technology, among which: smart watches, bracelets and wristbands, since it is in working with these gadgets that the device demonstrates the most impressive performance. Obviously, it takes more time from phones and smartphones.
Disadvantages of wireless charging
Like all technologies that radically change approaches to the use of technology and electronics, wireless charging devices also have many disadvantages. Of course, the user gets a significant advantage, since he does not have to fiddle with wires and connectors, but the efficiency of filling the power supply unit with this method is noticeably reduced.
Most devices provide a charge over a longer period of time compared to the classical method. In addition, there are ergonomic inconveniences that modern wireless charging cannot get rid of. How does a wired charging system work? It requires connection to the device, after which it can be used for the same 30-60 minutes required to replenish energy. However, in the case of wireless technologies, not only does the charging time increase, but the possibility of using the device during this period is also excluded.
Directions for further development
Actually, all directions of development of chargers operating without wires are focused on eliminating the above disadvantages and generally improving the basic characteristics.
Also, the considerable weight of such devices remains a big problem. In the middle segment, the average device is a platform that can hardly be called mobile. However, here it is worth noting how the Samsung S6 wireless charging and devices for the younger versions of the smartphone from the Charger Kit line work. These are panel charging accessories that are fixed to phones by the type of protective devices and covers. This interface configuration minimizes the size of the charging infrastructure, but at the same time does not differ in high efficiency.
Conclusion
This is not to say that the advent of wireless chargers has caused a stir in the market for accessories for mobile devices. Despite the novelty of the concept, the distribution of these products is hampered not only by ergonomic drawbacks, but also by the cost at which the wireless charger for the phone is realized.
You can make a similar device with your own hands at a lower cost. To do this, it is enough to organize a blocking generator with the function of an energy transmitter. As experienced craftsmen note, for such a circuit, you only need a home-made copper-based coil and one transistor with accompanying wired infrastructure. Another thing is that in terms of reliability and safety, such a device will noticeably lose to the same branded models from Samsung.
Wireless charging technology appeared several years ago, but until now it has not found widespread use in the smartphone market. The Lumia 920 and 820 are the first Nokia smartphones to feature wireless charging.
All you need to do is place your phone on the DT-900 platform, DT-910 cradle, Fatboy pillow or JBL PowerUp speaker and the phone will start charging immediately.
How does wireless charging work?
Wireless charging is a method of transferring electrical energy through the air to a device being charged. The device will charge without directly connecting it to the network. The charging process required a complex technical solution. The diagram below shows the basic principle of inductive transmission of electricity.
The transmitter coil L1 is at the bottom and the receiver coil L2 is at the top. L1 is in the charger, L2 is in the smartphone. The alternating current in the L1 coil forms a magnetic field, which causes a voltage to appear in the L2 coil. This voltage is used to charge the device's battery.
Nokia wireless charging devices use Qi (read [chi]) technology developed and used by more than a hundred companies around the world. It is a globally recognized standard, so your device can be recharged with it anywhere in the world.
Nokia has already entered into agreements with Coffee Bean, Tea Leaf and Virgin Atlantic to provide their customers with the ability to wirelessly charge their Lumia 920 and 820 smartphones.
Each Nokia charger has its own characteristics.
The DT-900 is a standard yet attractive platform. When recharged on the DT-910 cradle, the phone can be used for video calls or applications. The Fatboy pillow is suitable for those who like unusual things. The JBL PowerUp speakers will play music while the phone is charging.
Nokia has tried to make wireless charging more convenient than its competitors. The active area of the charger is increased by up to 80%, so that the user can simply place the phone on the platform without wasting time on its correct placement.
All of these chargers can be purchased in stores that will sell the Lumia 920 and 820 smartphones.
It doesn't take much to equip your beloved smartphone with the flagship wireless charging function.
First, the base, which is also the charger. Most often it is performed in the form of a small round platform with an outlet for a charger. For the experiment, let's take an unnamed model with a nice blue backlight. Powered by a 5 V, 2 A power supply unit (regular USB), powered via a standard microUSB port. At the output, the device gives a current with parameters 5 V, 1 A, which is enough to charge most devices even in operating mode.
The second necessary element of modernization is the antenna, with the help of which the smartphone is charged at a distance. Usually this distance is minimal, by the way, but the convenience of using without wires for someone may be significant. For example, the base can be built into the dashboard of a car or put on a chest of drawers near the bed: you come, put it down, go to bed. And no searching for wires.
There are many different universal antennas for smartphones on the market. They are also suitable for other equipment, but here you need to think about placement. The antenna (we have an unnamed Chinese copy) is a coil with a board hidden in a paper-like envelope. A wire with a microUSB plug comes out of it, although, if desired, it can be re-soldered to any other. Pay attention: the coil only works in one position in relation to the charger. Since the cable for connecting to the smartphone is flat, it may be necessary to open the bag and turn the coil for the antenna to work (as in our case). The coil should point with the open side towards the charger.
Attention: the necessary parameters of the power supply are indicated on the charging base (in the case of the used one - 5 V, 2 A). They need to be provided. At lower amperage, charging will be very slow. It may be necessary to replace the cord from the charger kit for adequate operation, since not every USB cable can pass a full 2 A through itself. As you can see,
Modern technologies literally burst into our lives without demand. Once upon a time, people could not even imagine that they would be able to communicate with each other at a distance of thousands of kilometers. Then the telephone was invented, and it became possible. But even then, people did not imagine that with these very phones it would be quite soon possible to walk down the street and make calls from anywhere.
Today, technology has taken a step forward again, and the reason for this is the wireless charging of phones. Nikola Tesla could not even imagine that so soon his ideas about the transmission of an electric charge over a distance through the air would be implemented. In general, this has happened, and wireless chargers are gradually filling the market for accessories for mobile devices.
With the advent of any new technical solution, a sea of myths is immediately created that do not have any sensible justification. So it happened with phone chargers. Let's look at some of the myths and try to dispel them. So let's get started.
Wireless charging is harmful to humans
Many are ready to defend their opinions to the last point about the harmfulness of electromagnetic radiation generated by a wireless charger for a phone. However, representatives of the Wireless Power Consortium are already tired of proving that the waves generated by the charger have no effect on the human body. The fact is that they belong to the spectrum of non-ionizing radiation, and it, in turn, is not harmful to humans - this is firstly. And secondly, modern wireless chargers generate a magnetic field of only a few centimeters. That is, already at a distance of half a meter, it almost completely dissipates.
The phone can be charged via Wi-Fi
In fact, this is purely untrue. Yes, at CES 2010 a device was presented that is supposedly capable of extracting electricity from the environment. However, until now nothing has been heard about this device, and manufacturers of mobile devices continue to increase the capacity of rechargeable batteries.
Wireless chargers are not suitable for Apple gadgets
Quite a strange myth, the origin of which could not be established. On the contrary, all the latest smartphones of this brand have an NFC module for remote charging, and the choice of accessories for this is quite large: http://bilka.com.ua/category/besprovodnye-zaryadki-iphone/. In other words, the iPhone owner shouldn't have any problems in this regard.
The phone gets damaged if you use a non-original charger
It is a myth. It may charge worse or not charge at all, but it will not deteriorate. Of course, if we are not talking about fakes that are capable of creating short circuits.
Wireless charging wireless
Does wireless charging really involve no wires? Yes and no. There are really no wires from charging to the phone, but there are wires from charging to the network.
The phone cannot be used while it is being charged.
Myth. You can use it, just charging the device will take much longer. And in the case of wireless charging, it's just inconvenient.
Night charging is bad for your phone
Myth. Maybe before, when the device did not automatically stop charging, it was harmful for the battery and the phone, but now modern gadgets take exactly as much charge as they need.
You need to charge the phone only after it is completely discharged.
This is both true and myth. You only need to fully discharge your phone the first few times. Then, it is best to keep the battery full at all times. When fully charged, modern batteries last better and last longer.
