How To Choose Wireless Charging?
The world is getting rid of wires everywhere. Fixed wired communications were buried by mobile devices, new cellular and Wi-Fi standards are being actively introduced for data transmission, sound can be broadcast via Bluetooth, and computer mice and cables are deprived of wires, replacing them with miniature radio modules. It would be time to leave inconvenient connections with wires in the past, but there is only one problem that does not allow this. In order for electronic devices to work, they require energy from outside. This is exactly the issue that wireless charging is designed to solve.
How wireless charging works?
Wireless charging, as a rule, is a docking station that plugs into a USB port or outlet, to a regular charger. Inside it are a multi-turn coil, power converter and control electronics. Compatible smartphones, in turn, have the same coil inside, only wound from thinner wire. If you place the smartphone on the docking station, the coils begin to interact, and energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation is transferred from the stand to the smartphone. From the receiver, the current is transmitted to the battery contacts, replenishing its charge.
Wireless charging standards
Knowing how wireless phone charging works is not enough to choose the right docking station. It should also be taken into account that there are different standards used by manufacturers. The first smartphones with wireless charging support appeared in 2008. The pioneer in the industry was Palm (I wonder if anyone else remembers this?). But her development somehow did not receive proper distribution. Subsequently, two consortiums were formed in the market, engaged in the improvement of wireless power transmission technologies.
What else to look for when choosing a wireless charger?
The main criterion for choosing wireless charging for a smartphone is the standard. But not only does it matter. When buying, you should also pay attention to the electrical characteristics of the charger. If the output voltage is standardized and is 5 V, then the current strength can vary from hundreds of milliamps to an ampere or more. Considering that the current strength at the output of a wired usb c adapter is 1-2 A, you need to choose a model with a charge current of about 1 A. The larger the value, the better, since a weak docking station will recharge the phone for too long.
Pros and cons of wireless charging for a smartphone
How wireless charging for a phone works – we figured out what the main nuances and subtleties of selection are, too. It remains to determine whether it is worth buying such a gadget, or it will not justify itself. To do this, you need to familiarize yourself with the pros and cons in order to decide for yourself whether or not to buy Qi charging.
Pros
- Protection for smartphone interface connector. During the charging process, there is no risk of damaging the socket by accidentally pulling on the cable. The connector is subject to less wear as it is used less frequently.
- The ability to charge a smartphone without a charger. Many establishments around the world, such as McDonalds or Starbucks, are equipping their tables with Qi docking stations. Thanks to this, you can have a snack or drink coffee while recharging your phone.
- Always a charged battery at home. Wireless charging allows you to recharge your smartphone in time by simply placing it on the docking station. If the phone is rarely used, and Qi memory is always at hand, you cannot worry that the battery will run out at the wrong time.
- Security. No matter how skeptics of induction technologies oppose and declare the dangers of invisible “radiation” (where does it come from in an electromagnetic coil?), wireless charging is safer than wired ones.
Minuses
- Loss of mobility. The electromagnetic radiation of the docking station is quite weak and effective only at a short distance. To quickly charge the phone – you need to put it exactly on the stand.
- Low charging speed. Smartphone wireless charging output rarely exceeds 1A. This means that a 3000 mAh battery will charge in about 3 hours under ideal conditions.
- Limited compatibility. In the general mass, relatively few smartphones support the Qi or PMA standard. Not everyone has compatible receivers or cases that allow you to charge your device without cables.
- Large coils. The problem of device compatibility is largely due to the relatively large size of the induction coils. If you strive to keep their small thickness, you will not be able to extract a large current power (over 1 A).
