Wireless charging: charging mobile phones without cables-working principle

Charge your phone without cables

Wireless charging according to the Qi standard allows mobile phones to be charged without cables. We will tell you which phones support the Qi function and answer the most important questions about "wireless charging".

table of Contents

1. How does wireless charging work?

2. Wireless charging: advantages and disadvantages at a glance
   

3. Is wireless charging harmful?

4. These smartphones support wireless charging
   

5. Which iPhone supports wireless charging?
6. Which Huawei mobile phones support wireless charging?
7. Which Samsung phones support wireless charging?
8. Which Google phones support wireless charging?
9. Which LG phones support wireless charging?
10. Which Motorola phones support wireless charging?
11. Which Sony phones support wireless charging?
12. Which Xiaomi phones support wireless charging?

13. More Qi-enabled phones
    

14. These manufacturers do not provide mobile phones with wireless charging in Germany
    

15. Can you retrofit wireless charging?

16. Charge your phone anytime, anywhere: these stores offer Qi hotspots
    

17. Test domain overview

Usually you have to plug in your smartphone every night. You need a power supply and a charging cable. Wireless charging is expected to make the charging process more convenient. Here, you only need to place your smartphone on the appropriate charging station. At the end of the loading process, you pick it up again. No annoying cables, no need to plug or unplug the power cord. Sounds good, now more and more smartphones also support wireless charging. However, there are rumors on the Internet that wireless charging will damage the battery. We answer the most important questions in the following topics.

Wireless charging: the most important things at a glance

Those who do not like lengthy articles will find the most important facts about wireless charging, which are briefly summarized as follows:

• Many mobile phones support wireless charging, but some models require special protective covers. For this, you need to pay an additional fee of up to 100 Euros. Therefore, you should ensure that your mobile phone supports wireless charging, and there is no other situation.
• Some models of Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi and Huawei can not only wirelessly charge, but also wirelessly charge other devices. This is useful if you want to charge your smartwatch or Bluetooth headset on the go.
• Wireless charging is slower than charging a mobile phone from an outlet. But some manufacturers provide their own faster solutions. But you need special accessories.
• If you purchase a Qi-compatible smartphone to charge wirelessly, you should ensure that other accessories are compatible. Especially in the case of using a protective case, due to its thickness or choice of materials, there is a risk of making wireless charging difficult or even completely preventing wireless charging.

In the following, we will discuss the main points in more detail!

How does wireless charging work?

As already mentioned at the beginning, a corresponding charging station is required, which acts as a transmitter for wireless charging. The smartphone to be charged must also have a receiver. In newer models, it is usually integrated on the back of the smartphone, and in older devices, it will be equipped with a special cover. Qi, the most common wireless charging standard currently uses electromagnetic induction to transmit energy, while other standards rely on magnetic resonance.

Wireless charging: advantages and disadvantages at a glance

The advantages of wireless charging are obvious: no longer annoying clutter of cables. You only need to wire the charging station once. From now on, you only need to put it on the charging platform to charge the device. This may not be obviously integrated into everyday objects, such as furniture or car racks.

This technique also has disadvantages. Inductive charging takes more time than the traditional way through the socket. Because although manufacturers use up to 65 watts to charge mobile phones, the Qi standard only provides a maximum output of 15 watts. However, some manufacturers have developed their own technologies that can be used to charge mobile phones wirelessly faster. For example, OnePlus 8 Pro can be wirelessly charged to 30 watts. However, this requires a special charging station from OnePlus, which is only for OnePlus 8 Pro.

Only a special charging station can charge multiple devices at the same time. There is still no unified standard for wireless charging. The Power Problem Alliance (PMA) and the Wireless Power Alliance (WPC) face each other, so the available wireless charging accessories are sometimes not compatible with all devices. However, in this country, the WPC Qi standard is the most common. This technique is prone to failure. For example, a protective cover that is too thick or made of non-conductive material may prevent wireless charging. Last but not least, wireless charging is harmful to the battery!

Is wireless charging harmful?

Inductive charging can shorten the life of mobile phone batteries, which is the conclusion of a study published by researchers at Warwick University in 2019. Reason: Due to the high heat generation, the battery ages faster. However, Netzwelt did not know that the lifespan would be greatly shortened, so that it was impossible to use the mobile phone normally within two years.

These smartphones support wireless charging

Qi-enabled phones have been around for years. However, wireless charging (for example, payment by mobile phone) has really begun to spread. Therefore, some manufacturers have supported the technology in the past, but later abandoned it. You sometimes receive the corresponding smartphone online as a second-hand product. Other manufacturers may integrate wireless charging into future products. Below we outline the position of the most important smartphone manufacturer in the German market on the topic of wireless charging.

Which iPhone supports wireless charging?

The iPhone has not supported wireless charging for many years. At the same time, the situation has changed. All Apple smartphones released since the iPhone 8 can be wirelessly charged-including the new Apple iPhone SE 2.

Below is a list of all Qi-enabled Apple phones:

• Apple iPhone 8, Apple iPhone 8 Plus
• Apple iPhone X, Apple iPhone Xs, Apple iPhone Xs Max, Apple iPhone Xr
• Apple iPhone 11, Apple iPhone 11 Pro, Apple iPhone 11 Pro (Max)
• Apple iPhone SE (2020)

The iPhone does not officially support reverse wireless charging-wireless charging of other Qi-enabled devices, such as smart watches or Bluetooth headsets. However, in the source code of iOS, there are signs that the iPhone 11 Pro can do this in principle. Therefore, Apple can activate this feature through software updates later.

Which Huawei mobile phones support wireless charging?

From the Huawei Mate RS, the Huawei Mate series supports wireless charging; from the Huawei P30, the Huawei P series supports wireless charging. The Lite version of this series is not included.

We list all Huawei phones that support Qi below:

• Huawei Mate RS
• Huawei Mate 20 series (except Mate 20 Lite and Mate 20 X)
• Huawei Mate 30 series (except Mate 30 Lite)
• Huawei P30 series (except P30 Lite)
• Huawei P40 series (except P40 Lite)

Another note: To charge the Huawei P30 and Huawei P40 wirelessly, you must purchase a dedicated wireless charging case. Only P30 Pro and P40 Pro support wireless charging, there is no other case. The mentioned Huawei mobile phone not only supports wireless charging, but also supports reverse wireless charging. Therefore, you can wirelessly charge other devices.

Which Samsung phones support wireless charging?

Starting with the Galaxy S6, all smartphones in Samsung's S and Note series can be wirelessly charged. Since the Galaxy S10, these devices also support reverse wireless charging. The exceptions are Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite and Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Lite. These models do not support Qi.

The full list of Qi-enabled Samsung phones can be found below:

Which Google phones support wireless charging?

Nexus 5 and Nexus 6 can be wirelessly charged via Nexus devices. Google Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL support Qi smartphones.

Which LG phones support wireless charging?

The current top models LG G8X ThinQ, LG G8S ThinQ and LG V40 ThinQ and the previous LG G7 ThinQ and LG V30 all support the Qi standard. On the other hand, the LG G6 does not provide wireless charging-at least not in Germany. In the US, LG offers the G6 with Qi function. The predecessor of LG G4 and LG V10 can be wirelessly charged through a special protective cover.

Which Motorola phones support wireless charging?

Motorola provides wireless charging for Z series models. Although they do not support the Qi standard factory, this function is relatively easy to modify. Finally, Moto Z3 Play and Co. can be extended through the interface on the back. The expansion module is also called Moto Mods. There are also some Moto Mods for wireless charging. One of them comes from Motorola itself and is called "Moto Style Shell + Wireless Charging". Since August 2017, the module has been sold in stores for 49 Euros. It is compatible with all charging pads-Moto Mod supports Qi and PMA standards. In addition to the mod, a corresponding pad for wireless charging is required, which is not included in the scope of delivery. With the offGRID wireless power pack, the Incipio brand also provides Moto Mod for retrofitting wireless charging. It also provides power, but the price is less than 120 euros.

Which Sony phones support wireless charging?

Sony was one of the first smartphone vendors to support Qi, and then the manufacturer initially abandoned the technology. The current top model Xperia 1 II has Qi function again. Similarly, the models are Sony Xperia XZ2 (Premium) and Xperia XZ3.

Which Xiaomi phones support wireless charging?

Xiaomi Mi 9, Xiaomi Mi 10 and Xiaomi Mi Note 10 have Qi functions.

More Qi-enabled phones

In addition to the models provided by the aforementioned well-known manufacturers, smartphones of other manufacturers also support wireless charging. Below we list Qi phones from other manufacturers:

• Nokia 8 Sirocco
• Nokia 9 PureView
• Razer phone 2
• ZTE Axon 9 Pro
• ZTE Axon 10 Pro
• OnePlus 8 Pro

These manufacturers do not provide mobile phones with wireless charging in Germany

Some manufacturers refuse to use wireless charging. The following phone manufacturers do not have corresponding models. However, at least on Oppo, there are signs of a turnaround. The manufacturer recently launched the first Qi-enabled phone through Oppo Ace 2, but the smartphone has not yet been launched in Germany.

Can you retrofit wireless charging?

It is possible to get a suitable adapter from Amazon
Only a few euros. They are connected to the smartphone via the microUSB or USB C connector and are glued to the back of the device. Therefore, it is recommended to hide the receiver under the box. When purchasing, please make sure that the adapter is compatible with the smartphone. Also keep in mind that the adapter will permanently occupy the USB port of the smartphone in daily life. This can be annoying-especially if you connect your smartphone to your computer more often, or this port is also used to connect headphones to your phone.

Charge your phone anytime, anywhere: these stores offer Qi hotspots

With wireless charging, you can simply charge your smartphone on the go-for example, while drinking coffee in a cafe or while waiting at the airport. Abroad, large chain stores such as McDonald's or Starbucks provide corresponding stations in all of their branches. On the other hand, in Germany, "gas" hot spots are still rare. You can find an overview of the corresponding public charging stations in Germany below:

• Berlin Shopping Center: According to its own statement, the shopping center on Berlin ’s Leipzig Square provides ten wireless charging stations on the second floor and a charging station in the basement.
• Starbucks: This American cafe giant not only provides free WiFi at its branches, but in some places, customers can already charge smartphones wirelessly. In Germany, there are seven branches throughout the country providing appropriate stations for their guests. Anyone who seeks such branches will find it in Munich, Frankfurt, Cologne and Düsseldorf.
• Coffee Fellows: The Coffee Fellows chain also provides wireless charging stations for your mobile phones in designated branches in Berlin, Cologne, Düsseldorf and Frankfurt am Main. Like Starbucks, Coffee Fellows relies on Flux Port as a technology partner.
• Frankfurt Airport Main: At Frankfurt Airport, passengers will not only find more than 7,000 sockets for charging gadgets, but also find workplaces with integrated wireless charging pads.

We have tested the following smartphones that support Qi. Note: For clarity, we only list models for 2019 and 2020.

* Note: In order to consider the evolving technology development, we will re-evaluate each hardware product in the ranking every month 0.1 points Come from. You can see the original score in the test report, or you can move your mouse over it.

• 

  8.0
  *
  
  The original test level
  April 4, 2019: 9.2

  Huawei P30 Pro

  Huawei once again shines in the smartphone market because the P30 Pro is convincing in almost every aspect. Only the user interface needs to be cleaned up, but top cameras and excellent battery life make up for this. However, the difference with Mate 20 Pro is very small. For photography enthusiasts and those who are always looking for the latest non plus ultra, there is nowhere to be found around the P30 Pro.

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• 

  8.3
  *
  
  The original test level
  October 21, 2019: 9.0

  Apple iPhone 11 Pro

  If you are unsure whether to choose iPhone 11 Pro with three cameras or iPhone 11 with two cameras, please choose iPhone 11 first. In terms of performance and many other aspects, the cheap iPhone 11 not only keeps pace with the times, but also at the same level as the iPhone 11 Pro (Max). If you look at the size of the display and the case, the situation will be different, because the 6.5-inch diagonal of the iPhone 11 Pro Max and the compact 5.8-inch diagonal of the iPhone 11 Pro are very attractive. The iPhone 11 is located exactly between the diagonal of 6.1 inches. However, if we separate the generation of the iPhone 11 Pro from the form factor and price tag, then all doubts will be on the table. These are top-notch smartphones that were at the top of the phone throne during testing.

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• 

  8.3
  *
  
  The original test level
  October 01, 2019: 9.0

  Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max

  If you are unsure whether to choose iPhone 11 Pro with three cameras or iPhone 11 with two cameras, please choose iPhone 11 first. In terms of performance and many other aspects, the cheap iPhone 11 not only keeps pace with the times, but also at the same level as the iPhone 11 Pro (Max). If you look at the size of the display and the case, the situation will be different, because the 6.5-inch diagonal of the iPhone 11 Pro Max and the compact 5.8-inch diagonal of the iPhone 11 Pro are very attractive. The iPhone 11 is located exactly between the diagonal of 6.1 inches. However, if we separate the generation of the iPhone 11 Pro from the form factor and price tag, then all doubts will be on the table. These are top-notch smartphones that were at the top of the phone throne during testing.

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• 

  8.0
  *
  
  The original test level
  July 24, 2019: 8.8

  Xiaomi Mi 9

  The compact case, high-quality camera, clean workmanship, and powerful computing power-Xiaomi Mi 9 has everything. And the price does not even have the Samsung Galaxy A80. We do n’t even want to talk about the iPhone XS, Galaxy S10 and other current top smartphones. In the end, this should not be a problem for you, but may be a headache for other manufacturers.

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• 

  8.1
  *
  
  The original test level
  September 28, 2019: 8.7

  Apple iPhone 11

  The price difference between iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro is 350 Euros. Anyone who uses iPhone 11 Pro is pretty stupid. Therefore, you can argue and there is nothing wrong. If there is no OLED display and telephoto lens, at least it can be done. Well, the price premium of the iPhone 11 Pro may even be ridiculously high.

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• 

  7.9
  *
  
  The original test level
  August 23, 2019: 8.6

  Samsung Galaxy Note 10+

  In addition to voice quality, Galaxy Note 10+ is above average in all categories. Samsung also corrected the loopholes in the S10 series (slow charging). Those who like big screen phones will fall in love with the new Samsung Note again. S-Pen is also a daily practical tool for business people and creative people. From our perspective, the interests of ordinary gasoline users are controllable. Despite the high suggested retail price, Samsung does not include a 45-watt charger or USB-C adapter jack, which is incomprehensible to us.

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• 

  7.5
  *
  
  The original test level
  May 04, 2019: 8.6

  Huawei P30

  Huawei P30 is pleased with its compact format. Compared with the Pro model, the disadvantages you have to do are very small. fair prices. Nonetheless, it should be carefully considered when buying. The Mate 20 Pro is a similar Huawei phone with a lower price and some features that the P30 lacks-such as wireless charging.

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• 

  7.3
  *
  
  The original test level
  March 08, 2019: 8.6

  Samsung Galaxy S10 +

  There is no doubt that the Galaxy S10 + is an excellent smartphone. For accessories like scratch-resistant backs, you have to spend a lot of money compared to the S10. We couldn't find similar large added value in the test. We believe that the Galaxy S10 can provide the same service to those who do not make money. Even if you are willing to pay more than 1,000 Euros for a mobile phone, you should carefully consider whether to invest in the Galaxy S10 +, because Samsung will launch an innovative mobile phone, S10 5G, in the summer.

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• 

  8.4
  *
  
  The original test level
  April 17, 2020: 8.4

  Samsung Galaxy S20

  In the test, the Galaxy S20 particularly liked its format. Samsung has managed to pack the 6.2-inch screen together. In addition, the annoying Bixby button was eventually deleted. The cameras of the new Samsung phones are at a competitive level, but no new standards have been set. Battery life may also be better. You must also pay a surcharge for the new 5G mobile communication standard, which is already a standard among competitors, which is a shame.

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• 

  8.2
  *
  
  The original test level
  April 9, 2020: 8.2

  Samsung Galaxy S10

  Samsung Galaxy S10 is still a good choice in 2020. The design is still modern, computing power is sufficient, the camera is not bad, and the price is relatively low. In addition, Samsung keeps the phone up-to-date through regular updates, but the Samsung Galaxy S10 is not really a cost-effective option.

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• 

  7.3
  *
  
  The original test level
  September 01, 2019: 8.0

  LG G8s ThinQ

  LG proved through LG G8s ThinQ that in terms of innovation, it can definitely surpass big companies such as Apple, Huawei and Samsung. Unlock your smartphone with your own blood vessel? so cool! Unfortunately, compared to other biometric unlocking methods, it is not very practical. Since the fingerprint scanner and 3D face scan also have two other safe and fast unlocking methods, this is not really a criticism. Therefore, LG G8s ThinQ showed that it is a high-end smartphone that can compete with the Galaxy S10 or P30. In terms of performance and camera, there is no major criticism: LG relies on high-end features here. In our eyes, only the front may be slimmer or rounder. The power button is also too high, making operation more difficult compared to other top models.

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• 

  6.7
  *
  
  The original test level
  March 06, 2019: 8.0

  Samsung Galaxy S10e

  If you are looking for a smartphone that can be operated with one hand but do not want to compromise computing power and equipment, you can find it in the Galaxy S10e. Mobile phones are almost no larger than the smartphones of a few years ago. Compared with the more expensive S10 models, the reduction is controllable and the advertising prices are reasonable. Battery life and voice quality are only average.

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• 

  7.4
  *
  
  The original test level
  February 23, 2020: 7.9

  Xiaomi Mi Note 10

  Xiaomi's Mi Note 10 scored high on display and battery, but especially on the main function Penta camera, the smartphone stumbled. Sometimes it shows weaknesses due to software and hardware limitations, and unstable camera applications can cause frustration when used. Despite the shortcomings mentioned, various cameras are still highly versatile. However, if you can not use one or two cameras, you can get a similar overall packaging for less money.

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