How does wireless charging work? Wireless for dummies.

Will you still be carrying around such a clumsy cable in 2022 that you forget everywhere? Time to adapt! The future looks wireless (and bright!). Experts expect it won't be long before electrically charged roads can charge cars as they drive over them, or that walls in homes will magnetically charge the television or petty thief. Okay, we're getting ahead of the facts a bit. Back to 2022: your phone. You're thinking about going wireless through life, but you still have many burning questions. For example, is wireless charging safe for your battery? And is it even possible with the phone you have? In this blog we tell you everything you need to know about wireless: wireless for dummies!

 

 

How does wireless charging work?

Wireless and magnetic charging may seem supersonic and futuristic, but did you know that people from the early 90's had already figured it out? Just think of the electric toothbrush or pacemakers that regulate palpitations! Although the technique was invented in the 1800s, it has only been made available to the general public and everyday tech gadgets in the past few decades. We play the part of the brilliant lab professor for this blog and tell you exactly how electromagnetic fields are generated, but let's keep it simple.

Wireless charging works as follows: there are two electromagnetic coils. A sending coil in the charging station and a receiving coil in your phone. The transmitting coil takes power from the mains and uses it to generate a magnetic field. The receiving coil in your phone is connected to the charging structure, and it uses the received electrical energy to regulate the voltage needed to safely charge the battery. Are you following? So to answer the question 'how does magnetic charging work?' briefly but firmly: you put the two coils together and just charge!

Is wireless charging dangerous or bad for my battery?

That depends. If you're going to do it, do it right. If a wireless charger has not been tested or is not of good quality, it can heat up your phone - and that is not good for the battery. And how do you know when a wireless charger is of good quality and kind to your battery? Choose a wireless charging station with a Qi (pronounced: chi) certificate!

Qi is a term from ancient Chinese philosophy and has the deep meaning of “vital energy” or “life force”. The certificate of the same name is based on a wireless charging method of the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC). Qi is the standard for low-power energy transfer over a distance of up to four centimeters, and is most commonly used for charging phones. When a charger has a Qi certificate and bears the Qi logo, you know that it has been tested and approved in a recognized lab. Beware: a charger that only mentions that it works with Qi or is Qi-compatible? Lariekoek!

Which phones can I charge wirelessly?

Can you charge wirelessly with a Nokia, Samsung or Motorola? Yes, that's possible! Android phones were even off the wire before Apple. Although Apple now dominates the market with their own 'MagSafe' charging system, high-end Android devices can even charge other products (such as earphones or smartwatches): reverse wireless charging! The key word is 'high end'. Not all Android models have such a magnetic Qi receiving coil, especially when you have picked it up for a few hundred euros. Such a coil does cost a bit, and that is reflected in the price of the phone in question. The same applies to iPhones with the Apple MagSafe chargers: these often only work from an iPhone 8 and higher.

Wireless charging with MagSafe: what exactly is it?

Of course, Apple couldn't resist: not only participate, but do it better. When the brand started using the Qi charging standard, they added some twists and tweaks and came up with a Qi charging system that fills your battery faster and more easily. And they called it MagSafe! Where a Qi charger charges up to 7.5 watts of power, MagSafe does that up to 15 watts. Although MagSafe uses the same standard, the secret lies in the magnets. By adding two supersonically strong magnets to the receiving and transmitting coils, the two coils click together even more precisely. This way, not a drop of power is lost during charging, and your phone charges 1.5 times faster than with a normal charger.

As you can see from our special MagSafe range, we love this way of charging! With our wireless chargers and power banks you can charge your iPhone up to fifty percent full in one hour. Please note: only iPhone 12 and higher have such a super strong magnet that connects to a MagSafe charger. Do you have an iPhone 8, a Samsung or a OnePlus? Then you can charge with MagSafe, but without the magnetic effect. That also means a lot slower charging.

What about wireless charging with case?

Do you have a device that is not equipped with the required technology, but do you still want to charge wirelessly? You're in luck! You can do that with a special case. This charging case has built-in wireless charging technology: such a receiving coil. You then plug the case into your phone via a USB input. Okay, so not completely wireless - maybe even a bit cumbersome.

Do you have an iPhone that is not magnetic and is compatible with a MagSafe charger? Then there is an iPhone case with a built-in MagSafe magnet especially for you. This ensures that your iPhone clicks perfectly on the shipping coil in this case. This way your phone not only sticks well, but it also charges with the optimal charging speed.

Android phones also sell cases with a magnetic ring, although this is not specifically intended for the MagSafe charger. However, it does work well on, for example, a magnetic, wireless car charger (a gadget that should not be missing in our range)!

Do you already have your wirelessly rechargeable phone and wireless charger?

Looks like we're moving into the wireless future. For example, the Swedish furniture giant Ikea already makes furniture with built-in Qi charging systems. For example, consider side tables and lamps. How nice if you can put your phone on the table in the pub and just charge it while you quietly enjoy a beer?

View our wireless chargers