Are wireless charging pads worth it?

[redseven1]

i bought one for my S7, phone heated up considerably, I unplugged it and haven't used it since.

I had the same experience with my S7, it just didnt feel safe to use.

I now have a OnePlus 6T with rapid charging so I don't need a pad as it charges quick enough.

[Spud1]

I use mine daily - I have the bequiet case above so when at home on my PC, I stick my phone on top and it keeps it going. I have a generic £5 ebay one on my desk at work, and since I am constantly up and down from my desk to and from meetings, again I stick my phone on it and just pick it up when I move.

It's very, very convenient and much easier than constantly plugging in/unplugging a cable - not to mention it removes the charge port wear etc. My S9 supports fast wireless charging too so it charges almost as quickly as when cabled.

Not at all a fad, not going anywhere soon in fact the opposite - the tech is moving towards true wireless electricity where you don't even need to put your phone on a pad, it just charges when nearby - even better.

[Saracen999]

....

however!, wireless charging pads in public areas is a good idea, having your phone on the table in starbucks or costa charging your phone? great idea. .....

I agree it's a great idea ..... right up to the point where someone organises a distraction, like a loud noise, and in the handful of seconds you look away, an accomplice walks past and vanishes your phone.

Couldn't happen? I was in a Costa a couple of months back when it did, to a girl a couple of tables over. The only time it could have been nicked was when someone walked past just as someone elso dropped a tray. She didn't even notice it was gone for about ten minutes but that's the only time anyone went anywhere near. And, of course, that person was long gone. As was her iPhone.

Be warned, and be aware.


Oh, and she wasn't charging. Just had it sat there. But ... same difference.

[BobF64]

I agree it's a great idea ..... right up to the point where someone organises a distraction, like a loud noise, and in the handful of seconds you look away, an accomplice walks past and vanishes your phone.

Couldn't happen? I was in a Costa a couple of months back when it did, to a girl a couple of tables over. The only time it could have been nicked was when someone walked past just as someone elso dropped a tray. She didn't even notice it was gone for about ten minutes but that's the only time anyone went anywhere near. And, of course, that person was long gone. As was her iPhone.

Be warned, and be aware.


Oh, and she wasn't charging. Just had it sat there. But ... same difference.

So, having a charging pad or not is irrelevant.

People who are going to have their phones stolen in public places more than likely have them sitting out on the table anyway.

People that lack the sense to keep an eye on their property will fail to do so regardless of setting.

[Scrupulous]

My neighbor wanted me to put my phone on one of them charging stations recently and I got paranoid and thought they wanted to steal my information or something. I take it any phone can be charged with one? You don't need it to have a charging receiver or something? Dam I feel old not understanding technology anymore.

[smoothe]

I love my wireless charger, esp when im at work and place my phone on my desk, then I just have to grab it when i go to meetings etc, I treat them more as a trickle charger so didnt go for a high powered one.

[smoothe]

Only specific phones support wireless charging, although you can get add on cases with the technology in.

[philehidiot]

I had a wireless charging stand right back in the days of the Palm Pre.

I find them useful for one thing only and that's charging at night when you alse use your phone as a clock, a torch at night and an alarm. I also use it to minimise use of the USB port as I want my phones to last and that's a potential point of failure.

Beyond that, no. No use whatsoever. If you're using your phone whilst charging, they're pointless. If you're using the phone as a satnav and wireless charging in the holder it will cook. As in properly cook. And the charge rate will be so slow as to only be able to just keep up with the battery drain in this scenario. This experience was with an S7 using some kind of fast wireless charger. I have not tried with an S8 and nor do I intend to.

But for me, by the bedside, they are useful enough to be worth the outlay. I would just never use one whilst the phone is in heavy use (mostly due to the charge rate being meh) or when I want a fast charge.

I have, by my bed, the wireless charger, the fast charger (useful for when getting changed to go out and need a quick boost) and then a stupid 8A 8 port hub with a charge rate, voltage and status read out for every input..... because I'm a nerd with serious charging needs and an Amazon account that gets well used when I've been drinking.

[fredwck]

My experience with older Qi wireless pads is that it's slower than stated amps, a 1A rated is giving me 0.7A approx which was not enough for car GPS. As mentioned the heat is also an issue, my case had a metal kickstand and it was very hot to touch as it contacts the coils.

Most importantly, efficiency is very sensitive to distance between coils and lesser to coil coil alignment. I also cannot use any metal plate inside case if I wanted magnetic car mounts etc.

Given all these issues, I stuck with cables.

[Eulises]

In my humble opinion, not really. If I charge my phone with a wireless pad then I have to wait until I can use it again. My Huawei mate 20 pro charges incredibly fast using its original charging cable, wireless takes too long in comparison.

[neojay]

They are fantastic for a work desk, pop your phone down for a quick charge. Allows me to keep my charge up throughout the day without needing to head for the charger soon as I'm home.

[hamnaiqbal]

[silent]

i want it! might be my next case for my new build!

[silent]

https://www.bequiet.com/en/case/1472

this i mean!!

i use one for my note 9, a 3rd party one, upright thing. was really crap to start with but is perfect now. this case for my office though would be awesome. may need a blue one if they do it

[treacle1]

I have a RAVPower Wireless Charger 7.5W and there is now a 10W version available. It is great.

[yippyUK]

I had a few phones in the past where the charger became faulty, probably due to all the constant plugging/unplugging over the years which perhaps damaged the connector on the phone. So using a wireless charging pad is worth it for that instance.