How Does a Wireless Charger Work?

Key Takeaways

  • Wireless charging is also known as induction charging, leveraging electromagnetic fields to power up your phone.
  • Wireless charging accessories need to conform to varying universal standards like the PMA.
  • Wireless charging is a lot more convenient than wired, but there is a trade-off in terms of charging speeds.

Charging your phone without a cable is convenient. With wireless charging, you never have to worry about tangled or lost cables. 


You don’t have to plug into an adapter or outlet that is gunked up, loose, or broken. You can charge on-the-go and achieve maximum productivity and convenience. 


But how does wireless charging technology work? How does an induction charger work? Are they just the same thing? We’ll explain everything you need to know about wireless charging.

Qi2 charging logo

What Is Wireless Charging?

Before we discuss how wireless chargers work, let’s talk about the tech in general.

Also known as inductive charging, wireless charging is exactly what it implies: charging without the use of any wires or cables, or the need to plug anything in. These chargers come in numerous forms, including stands, mounts, mats, and magnetic devices that attach directly to the back of your phone.

How It Works

Wireless power transfer is subject to the electromagnetic field and a coil of wire. The charging device generates the electromagnetic field, and the battery-powered device contains the coil of wire.

When the device is placed in the electromagnetic field (by placing your phone on the charging pad), the interaction between the field and the coil generates energy. The charging circuit sends this energy to the battery.

Wireless Charging Technology Explained

Both devices (the charger and the phone) need to conform to the same standard, which explains why induction chargers don’t work with every device from all manufacturers. If you don’t know what wireless charging standard is used by your device, check with the manufacturer. Apple and other major manufacturers use the Qi standard for wireless power transfer. Devices that use this wireless charging technology will not work with standards like Airfuel, Powermat technology, or PMA (Power Matters Alliance). If you use a variety of devices with varying wireless format standards, then a wireless charger may not be the best charging option for you.

Pros and Cons of Wireless Charging

Multi-device wireless charger powering two phones and accessories

Now that we’ve explained how wireless charging works, we can take a look at its pros and cons:

Pros

One of the benefits of wireless charging is how easy it is. First, confirm that your device supports the same wireless charging standard as your wireless charger (like Qi or MagSafe chargers for iPhones). Then, simply put your device on the wireless charging surface. Charging automatically begins on contact. Make sure your device is properly aligned on the surface so you get a full charge.

Another benefit of how induction charging works is the convenience of not fussing with tangled cables! You can also charge on the go if you have a portable design, such as a magnetic wireless charger that attaches to the back of your phone.

Cons

The only disadvantage of how wireless charging works is that it can take longer to charge than its wired counterparts, and it’s more of an investment than wired chargers. However, many will agree that the ease of setting your device on a wireless charger far outweighs any cons.

The Evolution of Wireless Charging

Wireless charging didn’t develop in a vacuum into the technology we recognize today. In fact, the modern Qi2 standard is wildly different from 1st-generation chargers. The earliest wireless chargers (not counting Nikola Tesla’s works, of course!) delivered a measly 5W of power compared to the easy 15W and above we can get today from iPhone accessories.

What drove that massive increase in power delivery? How wireless charging works today is due to advancements in both chargers and devices. Magnetic alignment allows phones to connect better with charging coils and improves power delivery. For their part, chargers have also managed to become more compact while delivering significantly more power.

Is Wireless Charging Better on iPhones or Android?

There’s a common misconception that induction charging works better on iPhones. That isn’t true. Android accessories can deliver the same charging speeds to Samsung and other supported devices. This is because the Qi2 standard is universal and doesn’t just apply to iPhones.

What’s the takeaway here? If wireless charging is a big draw for you, you should consider your lifestyle needs before choosing between an iPhone and an Android. How wireless charging works with MagSafe’s ecosystem is different from Android.

Invest in Better Charging & Protection with mophie

It’s time to find your ideal charger at Mophie! Both wireless chargers and wall chargers have their place and offer you effective charging capabilities. Consider your work-and-play lifestyle to determine the power accessories  that’ll work best for you.


Take full advantage of the convenience that wireless charging offers. Discover exactly how it works and how it can make your life easier with help from the experts at mophie.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Considering how wireless charging works, it isn’t any more harmful or better for your battery than wired charging; the impact on the battery depends on the frequency of charging, not the type of charger used. The misconception that wireless charging is bad stems from the heat that chargers generate, which can put strain on devices’ batteries. Using a high-quality wireless charger helps manage this issue. Trusted manufacturers, like Mophie, have stricter safety and quality standards.
Yes, induction chargers work to discontinue the charge to your phone and other tech when they’re finished charging. Due to how wireless charging works, these chargers detect when your device no longer draws a current and will consequently stop delivering a current. Modern phones are also designed to stop charging when full, and will similarly stop pulling current once the battery reaches 100%.
How fast they are is entirely dependent on your wireless charger. Though many prefer wired chargers for their faster charging speeds, the technology of wireless charging has advanced to deliver faster speeds than it used to. Depending on the charger, you may be able to reach 50% battery power within 30 minutes and a full charge in approximately 90 minutes.

Loading results...