Modern technologies strive to make the life of the modern smartphone user more convenient in a variety of aspects. Until recently, the use of wires to transmit data or charge phones was considered the norm, but now with the development of technology, mobile device manufacturers are increasingly getting rid of “wires”.
This is how Wi-Fi became the standard for connecting to the Internet. New smartphones are abandoning the use of a 3.5 mm mini jack for headphones, offering a transition to wireless ones with data transmission technology via Bluetooth. Now progress has reached chargers. You can also replenish the battery charge without using long cords.
Before determining which phones have wireless charging functionality, you must first become familiar with the technology of transmitting electricity through the air.
Operating principle
The operating principle of wireless charging is electromagnetic induction. This means that any gadget cannot be charged this way: it must have a magnetic coil connected to the battery. Usually it is hidden under the housing cover, thin and invisible to the eye. It is possible to install an induction module on any smartphone, and then the question of which phones can be charged wirelessly disappears. But this is not so convenient, since it takes up the USB port and makes the device larger.
Those smartphones and chargers that are equipped with the function support the Qi standard. The word is read as “Qi”, it means the energy of the surrounding world in Chinese culture. Many lines of smartphones already support the technology: iPhone from version 8, Samsung, LG, Nokia, Xiaomi and other brands. I have compiled a small “rating” - which phones support wireless charging in different price segments, which I will share below.
Development prospects
Wireless chargers are now at the stage of active research and search for alternative Qi solutions. The main task, according to manufacturers and consumers, is to expand the coverage radius, increase efficiency and use other energy sources.
Thus, the Americans are testing the technology of transmitting electromagnetic waves from a router through free Wi-Fi channels. Moreover, the distance between the transmitter and the receiver during the successful experiment was 8 meters.
The key features of wireless devices from Samsung and other brands are the benefit of smartphone USB ports that last longer and a reduction in the number of wires for gadgets. In addition, the devices are optimal for use in public places - airports, restaurants, offices.
But the price of good contactless devices is still steep. Therefore, reducing costs and, accordingly, market prices is an effective motivation to choose and buy a new product. And the availability of goods, as a rule, leads to mass distribution and popularity of the accessory.
The best devices:
Model | Compatibility | Output current, mA | Output voltage, V |
Wireless Charging Pad | Android, iPhone 8, iPhone 8+, iPhone X | 1 | up to 15 |
Samsung Galaxy S8 | Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+ | 1 | until 9 |
Wireless Charging | Android, iPhone 8, iPhone 8+, iPhone X | 1 | up to 7.5 |
A wireless device for charging iPhone or other smartphones is a modern accessory that is convenient to use at home and in the office. The USB input will remain as good as new longer, and the accessory looks stylish and elegant, unlike cords that are always dangling and hanging from sockets.
In order not to ruin the battery, you will have to follow the rules and wean yourself from the habit of unplugging and using a phone charged at 50-55%. As for manipulating the gadget while charging, this is also harmful in the case of standard charging blocks. And yes, metal covers should either be abandoned completely or removed each time before installation on a contactless device.
Phones with wireless charging: what to look for when choosing
The charger itself and the smartphone can be of different manufacturers, colors and designs. The most important thing that should match is support for the Qi standard. Any phone with this option can be charged on any Qi charger. The main thing is that the distance between devices is minimal – up to 5 cm.
Phones that support wireless charging have many advantages:
- No need for phone wires: as a result, increased service life of the USB port. Now in new models it is also used as an audio output, so this is doubly important.
- Extended battery life. The battery and wireless charger have a connection through which they exchange data. When fully charged, the device turns off, which has a positive effect on both the smartphone and the overall electricity consumption.
- Appearance. Qi devices are stylish and compact. The wires that are connected to them are easy to hide. It's much more aesthetically pleasing than regular wired charging.
HUAWEI CP60
Another large company that produces good chargers is Huawei. Model CP60 is a charger with fast charging function, compatible with the manufacturer’s top smartphones.
Huawei 15-watt charging is “tailored” for the company’s proprietary processors – Kirin
Huawei has also gone beyond the 10-watt standard: the charger has an output voltage of 7.5 V, a current of 2 A and a power of 15 V. Another advantage that the manufacturer came up with specifically for this model is a long network cable of 1 m.
This 15W charging, supported by HiSilicon Kirin processors, is available for the latest generation of Huawei smartphones with Qi support - for example, Huawei Mate 20 Pro and above. https://zoom.cnews.ru/publication/item/61472
Wireless charging phones: top tips
So, when you become the proud owner of a wireless charger and a phone suitable for it, you should pay attention to the following points:
- The phone must be accurately positioned on the charger. It should not move, otherwise it may not charge when displaced.
- The process takes longer than normal charging.
- No confirmed negative impact on the phone battery has been identified. On the contrary, monitoring the charge level extends the life of the battery.
- There is no and cannot be an impact on human health: non-ionizing radiation is used.
New smartphone models with wireless charging appear every day. Now these are not only flagships, but also quite budget devices. The trend is that there will be more and more of them. Already now you can choose a suitable device from the rating I compiled in order to fully experience all the benefits of living without wires.
#9 – Skyway Flash
Price: 990 rubles
Skyway Flash is capable of charging phones in a vertical position. This has several advantages - you can easily use your smartphone while it is being refueled, and the angle is suitable for the face unlock technology to work.
Unlike the previous line in the rating, the charger does not heat up during operation, so there is no danger that it will burn out or even endanger the smartphone.
Skyway Flash
The device is securely fixed on the table, so that if you accidentally touch it with your hand, it will definitely not fall to the floor. The solution is supplied in two color options – black and white. As for the minuses, here we include the modest value of the maximum output current - 1 A.
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Qi Phones List 2021: All Qi Chargers and Compatible Devices
If you want to know whether your phone supports Qi wireless charging, you can check it manually from the following list. All devices marked with a small asterisk (*) support Qi wireless charging in the basic version 1.0 with a power of 5W. All phones marked with two stars ( * * ) support faster wireless charging (Qi-Standard 1.2), which supports from 7.5W to approx. power 10 W depending on the manufacturer. Devices with three stars (***) additionally support reverse wireless charging, which can additionally charge other devices wirelessly. All smartphones without a star are either upgradeable or have reliable third-party accessories such as wireless charging cases. If you are looking for the cheapest wireless charger phone, just browse the list and compare prices. The following list of phones with wireless charging contains the same devices as in the table above.
List of phones with wireless charging:
Apple iPhone
- Apple iPhone 12/ iPhone 12 mini **
- Apple iPhone 12 Pro (Max)**
- Apple iPhone SE 2nd Generation (2020)**
- Apple iPhone 11/ iPhone 11 Pro (Max)**
- Apple iPhone XS (Max)/ iPhone XR**
- Apple iPhone 8/ 8 Plus/ iPhone X **
- Apple iPhone 7/ 7 Plus
- Apple iPhone SE
- Apple iPhone 6s/ 6s Plus
- Apple iPhone 6/6 Plus
- Apple iPhone 5/5s/5c
- Apple iPhone 4/4s
Samsung
- Samsung Galaxy S20/ S20+ (Plus)/ S20 Ultra ***
- Samsung Galaxy S10e/ S10/ S10+ (Plus) ***
- Samsung Galaxy S9/ S9+ (Plus) **
- Samsung Galaxy S8/ S8+ (Plus) **
- Samsung Galaxy S7/edge**
- Samsung Galaxy S6/ edge/ edge+ * (edge+ *)
- Samsung Galaxy S5
- Samsung Galaxy S4
- Samsung Galaxy S3
- Samsung Galaxy Alpha
- (Samsung Galaxy Z Flip ***)
- Samsung Galaxy Fold ***
- Samsung Galaxy Note 20/ Note 20 5G/ Note 20 Ultra 5G ***
- Samsung Galaxy Note 10/ Note 10+ (Plus) ***
- Samsung Galaxy Note 9**
- Samsung Galaxy Note 8**
- (Samsung Galaxy Note 7**)
- (Samsung Galaxy Note 5**)
- Samsung Galaxy Note edge
- Samsung Galaxy Note 4
- Samsung Galaxy Note 3
- Samsung Galaxy Note 2
- Google Pixel 5/Pixel 5 XL**
- Google Pixel 4/Pixel 4 XL**
- Google Pixel 3/Pixel 3 XL**
- Google Nexus 7 (2013)*
- Google Nexus 6*
- Google Nexus 5*
- Google Nexus 4*
BlackBerry
- BlackBerry Passport*
- Blackberry Priv*
- Blackberry Z30*
Huawei
- Huawei P40 Pro (+) ***
- Huawei P30 Pro ***
- Huawei P30
- Huawei Mate 20 Pro ***
- Huawei Mate RS*
OnePlus
- OnePlus 8T**
- OnePlus 8 Pro**
LG Electronics
- LG V50/V50 ThinQ**
- LG G8**
- LG V40 ThinQ*
- LG G7 ThinQ*
- G6 & G6 Plus (US version)
- LG V30 & V30 Plus**
- LG V10
- LG G4
- LG G3
- LG G2 (D802)
- LG Optimus F5*
- LG Optimus G Pro (E985)*
- LG Optimus It L-05E *
- LG Lucid 2*
- LG Lucid 3*
- LG Spectrum 2*
- LG Vu 2*
- LG Vu 3*
Sony
- Sony Xperia XZ3**
- Sony Xperia XZ2**
- Sony Xperia Z5
- Sony Xperia Z3
Nokia
- Nokia 9 PureView**
- Nokia 8 Sirocco**
- Nokia Lumia 1520*
- Nokia Lumia 1020
- Nokia Lumia 930*
- Nokia Lumia 929/Icon*
- Nokia Lumia 925
- Nokia Lumia 920*
- Nokia Lumia 830*
- Nokia Lumia 820
- Nokia Lumia 735*
- Nokia Lumia 720
Microsoft
- Microsoft Lumia 950/ XL/ Dual-SIM *
Motorola
- Motorola Moto X Force
- Motorola Droid Turbo 2
- Motorola Droid Turbo
- Motorola Droid Maxx
- Motorola Droid Mini
- Motorola Droid Turbo
Kyocera
- Kyocera Brigadier
- Kyocera DuraForce
- Kyocera Hydro Elite
- Kyocera Torque G02
- Kyocera Torque KC-S701
- Kyocera Urbano L01
- Kyocera Urbano L03
- Kyocera E6910
HTC
- HTC Droid DNA
- HTC Windows Phone 8X
Panasonic
- Panasonic Eluga P P-03E
- Panasonic Eluga V P-06D
- Panasonic Eluga X P-02E
- Panasonic Eluga X1
- Panasonic Eluga X1 Pro
Sharp
- Sharp Aquos EX SH-04E
- Sharp Aquos SH-07D
- Sharp Aquos SH-13C
- Sharp Aquos Slider SH-02D
- Sharp Aquos Zeta SH-06E
- Sharp Aquos Zeta SH-09D
- Sharp Q-Pot SH-04D
- Sharp SH-05D
Xiaomi
- Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra**
- Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro**
- Xiaomi Mi 9/ Mi 9 Pro (5G)** (5G*)
- Xiaomi Mi Mix 3**
- Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S*
Outdoor smartphones with wireless charging
- Gigaset GX290*
- Blackview BV9600 PRO**
- Blackview BV9500/ BV 9500 Pro**
- Blackview BV6800 Pro**
- Blackview BV5800 Pro**
- Ulefone Armor X**
- Bluboo R1*
- RugGear RG730*
- Caterpillar Cat S50 (S50 C) *
- Kyocera Torque KC-S701*
- Meizu Zero*
- Dewalt MD501*
- Dewalt MIL810G*
- MTT Master 4G*
Other Qi phones
- Oppo Reno Ace 2**
- ZTE Axon 10 Pro*
- ZTE Axon 9 Pro*
- Ulefone Power 5/Power 5S**
- Ulefone X**
- Razer Phone 2*
- Umidigi Z2 Pro**
- Umidigi One Pro**
- YotaPhone 2*
- HP Elite x3*
- Asus PadFone S*
- Elephone P9000*
- Energy System Pro *
- Medion Life X6001*
- Motorola Moto X Force*
- Vertu Aster*
- VERTU Signature Touch *
- CASIO G'z One Commando *
- NEC Medias PP N-01D*
- NEC Medias X N-04E*
- Techdy Basic Bear *
- Techdy Bear Pro*
Other Devices Supporting Wireless Charging
- PC All-in-one: Asus ET2323
- PC monitor: Samsung SE370, AOC P2779VC, ASUS Designo Curve MX34VQ & MX38VQ
- PC-Case: Xigmatek Midgard 3 and Dark Base Pro 900
- Bluetooth Speakers: Sony BSP10, Zens ZEBS01 and others
- Bluetooth headphones: AirPods 2, Nokia BH-220 or Parrot ZIK 3
- Backpack with Qi-Powerbank from Samsonite
- Furniture: IKEA furniture and lamps with Qi standard
- Lamps and table lamps on amazon.de
- Powerbanks: mobile batteries with Qi charging function
- Smartwatches: Moto 360, Samsumg Gear S2 & Apple Watch
- Phone cases with battery: Zens ZEI602B, Mophie Juice Pack
Smartphones with Wireless Charging – Pros and Cons
Below you will find all the Pros and Cons of smartphones with wireless charging.
Pros of Qi-enabled phones:
• Very practical in everyday life
• No wear and tear on the mobile phone
• Can also be used in a car
• Same “Qi” charging standard for many manufacturers
• Increased use in public places (bars, cafes, airports and hotels)
• Greater security compared to cable in public places
Cons of Qi-enabled phones:
• Charging takes a little longer and power consumption may increase slightly
• Some devices require an update
• Requires direct contact with charger - you need to use headphones for calls while wireless charging
• Extra thick protective covers must be removed during charging.