We have a look at what Qi wireless charging is exactly and how you can add it to your phone when it doesn’t come as standard.
Although wireless charging is still not a feature on every smartphone in 2021, you can add it yourself!
Wireless charging is a term that many people use to refer to inductive charging. This technology is similar to what the Apple Watch uses. Qi is a wireless power protocol that allows inductive electrical power to transfer over distances up to 4cm. However, companies such as Xiaomi are working hard on long-range wireless charging capabilities.
Many people believe that your phone can be charged even though it isn’t connected to the power source. Although technically correct, your charging pad will still need to be connected to a power supply.
How to wirelessly charge your phone
All you have to do is buy a Qi charger pad if your phone supports Qi charging. They can cost as little as £10, depending on the brand.
They all have the same features, and there is only one thing that sets them apart: price, speed, and design. Others can be used as stands, and some offer fast wireless charging. This feature is only possible if your phone supports it. For example, the iPhone 12 range supports 7.5W Qi wireless charging, while Android alternatives such as the OnePlus 9 Pro can support 50W fast charging.
Once you have a Qi-compatible charging pad, connect it to your power supply and place your phone on top. It will begin charging, as long as your phone is Qi-enabled. It’s as simple as that!
Wireless Charging for an Unsupported Phone
As we’ve seen, it’s very simple to wirelessly charge a Qi enabled phone, but what about the rest of us without Qi capabilities? Wireless charging is still not a standard feature in the smartphone industry, but luckily there are many options available – and although they might not be the most aesthetically pleasing, they should work.
There is an affordable way to enable Qi charging on older iPhones that have a Lightning port. Although it may not look the best, the Nillkin Qi charger receiver should allow wireless charging to an iPhone.
We haven’t forgotten Android users, or anyone who uses a micro USB charging port or an updated USB-C charging port. You can get a similar option for Micro-USB or USB-C devices at the same £10 price as the Lightning model.
It is essentially a super-thin Qi charger receiver that attaches to your phone’s back with the appropriate connector via a thin ribbon cord. It is designed to be placed between your phone and the Qi charging receiver using a thin case. The cable will remain plugged into the case.
Wireless charging this way is limited to slower speeds but it’s the best way to add wireless charging to your smartphone.
Anyway…best of all … you now have wireless charging and how cool is that?
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