What is Qi Wireless Charging?

Despite Qi wireless charging having hit the mainstream market back in 2012, most of us still spend our days plugging this, that, and the other into various sockets and other accessories. We have dedicated drawers in our homes and offices brimming with charging devices for everything from our smartphones to wearable tech.

Back when the media hype surrounding wireless charging was at its peak, many of us envisioned popping our devices onto a nifty little gadget and tossing our wires into the trash. Despite this, many of us still begrudgingly lug around various cables to keep ourselves connected.

Developments in wireless charging have enabled a safe and convenient way to keep battery life in the green. So, why isn’t everyone ditching archaic chargers and reaching for this new efficient method of charging all devices? The truth is the market is now so saturated with wireless charging gizmos that many people simply do not know where to start.

The MAGFAST guide below will help you understand wireless charging, but also provide you with solutions to help you create a convenient method of keeping all your devices powered up.

Time to put your science cap on and delve into the world of electromagnetic induction. Wireless charging utilizes the same technology as common household appliances such as induction stoves and rechargeable electric toothbrushes.

In both your device and the wireless charger are coils. The transmitting coil sits inside the charger, whilst the receiving coil is located at the back of your device and is attached to the battery. The transmitting coil converts electricity and emits an alternating electromagnetic field. When your device is placed on a wireless charger, the receiving coil turns the energy into an electric current which is fed into the battery.

Also known as wireless charging mats, wireless charging pads are one product available for your wireless charging needs. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and you will require just one power source to charge your devices.

Whilst pads and mats are the most common wireless chargers, they don’t suit everyone. What happens if you need something portable? Can you wirelessly charge whilst on the go? Are there specific wireless chargers for different devices? Fortunately, this is where MAGFAST has you covered.

Most people have one charger per device, with some occasionally interchangeable if they use the same connection type. However, this isn’t helpful when both batteries are low. To combat this, there are multi-device wireless chargers available on the market.

Undoubtedly the most powerful option is MAGFAST Extreme. This super-charger provides enough power to keep your devices alive for days. It is also the world’s first charger with three Qi wireless charging ports. On top of this, the revolutionary charger also facilitates USB-A and USB-C charging, as well as having a bonus 12v outlet. This means, with MAGFAST’s 12v jumper cables, you can even use MAGFAST Extreme to jump-start your car.

Pronounced chee, Qi is the most popular type of wireless charging, owing to the fact is it the universally agreed global standard. Other types of wireless charging technology include:

• AirFuel Resonant
• NFM (Proprietary Near-Field Magnetic Coupling)
• RF (Radio Frequency)
• Ultrasound

Each offers a unique way of wireless power transfer, all with their advantages and disadvantages. However, it is Qi that has been widely adopted by many technology companies, notably Apple with its production of wireless iPhones, AirPods, and other accessories.

The primary differentiator between Qi and the other wireless charging methods is inter-operability. If you have a product that is Qi-certified, the Qi logo will be shown either on the packaging or the device itself. This is a symbol that indicates the smartphone – or other product – can be used with a Qi-certified charging transmitter.

In a world where consumers expect to be able to charge their devices anywhere, anytime, Qi devices and Qi chargers are undoubtedly the standard for all manufacturers. This means consumers can charge their devices whether they are at home, in the office, or car, whilst also providing the ability to power up on the go in coffee shops, at hotels, and airports. Having a world where Qi is the norm means there is a common infrastructure in place, much like when public Wi-Fi was introduced, and public transport services were equipped with plug sockets and USB ports.

AirFuel offers the same inter-operability as Qi but uses a different type of protocol and frequency. AirFuel devices work with AirFuel charging transmitters. However, AirFuel doesn’t match the scalability available with Qi due to the latter’s popularity with, and adoption by, tech giants.

The last charging technology to be discussed is NFMC. However, it is relatively unusable for consumers with common devices such as smartphones, tablets, and wearable tech. However, NFMC charging is ideal for use in the medical and industrial sectors where non-consumer devices are commonplace. An example would be a consultant using a hospital-specific tablet as part of their working day. NFMC has different device security, device safety, and user constraints that are better suited to these environments.

Qi undoubtedly has market leadership. This is because it’s inter-operable and, in time, will be available everywhere, just like internet connectivity. Who remembers a world without widespread 4G as a minimum? Furthermore, for the tech-savvy, Qi is safer than other wireless charging methods. It has achieved regulatory approval in all major consumer markets due to low interference and minimal radiation.

Other benefits that make Qi charging the ‘go to’ include:

• no longer having to worry about wires and cables
• universal compatibility
• safer connections
• product durability as zero wear and tear
• devices won’t overheat

Whilst Qi came to life in 2008, it wasn’t available to the public until 2012. Nokia was the first company to adopt the wireless charging feature with its Nokia Lumia 820 and Lumia 920 smartphones. This was shortly followed in the same year with Samsung’s Galaxy S3. However, this handset needed an additional accessory to facilitate wireless charging. Nokia was the first company to build the feature into the handset itself.

2012 was the turning point for charging devices. The evolution to wireless charging had begun and, at the time, placing your device on a charging pad was considered magic. Other Qi standard devices released following 2012 include:

• Google and LG Nexus 4 (2012)
• Motorola Droid 3 and Droid 4 (2012)
• HTC Droid DNA (2012)
• Google and LG Nexus 5 (2013)
• Samsung Galaxy S5 (2014)
• Microsoft Lumia 950 XL and Lumia 950 (2015)
• Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge (2016)
• Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Note (2017)

Interestingly, many consumers were shocked that Apple had not been the first to bring out a Qi smartphone. It took a further five years for the dominant consumer technology company to include inductive charging into its iPhone lineup. The iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X were released in the autumn of 2017 as the first Apple models to carry the wireless charging feature.

Many argue that it was savvy of Apple to wait before introducing Qi wireless charging. Throughout the five-year period, many companies released smartphones using different wireless charging formats. Apple waited until Qi was established as the frontrunner and then used the iPhone’s 10th anniversary to release the new products to consumers.

Apple adopting Qi was a turning point for consumers. It is no secret that the iPhone is one of the top-selling smartphones globally. With the tech giant introducing wireless charging technology, the industry had to follow suit. Apple’s contribution helped encourage further advancements, such as airports upgrading facilities to have charging mats and Starbucks integrating charging pads into their stores.

Back when Apple released their latest iPhone models the internet went into a frenzy. The rumor mill was working overtime and it was predicted that the 2021 iPhone would have no ports at all. Whilst the headphone jack has been long gone, it circulated that the Lightning port would also be made redundant. Apple, thus far, has resisted the USB-C connector on iPhones despite it becoming the universal standard.

In 2020, Apple released MagSafe on the iPhone 12 – a wireless charging system. With this handset, Apple kept the Lightning port but, interestingly, removed the wall adapter and wired earphones that usually came with the iPhone as standard.

In terms of the iPhone and recent developments, it could be assumed that the company is moving to a ‘wireless everything’ approach. It is no secret that this year should see Apple launch a new iPhone in September, currently dubbed the iPhone 13. The current 3D mockup for the new smartphone from Apple is in circulation although little can be obtained in the way of further other than it is potentially shrinking. Watch this space for more updates on wireless charging developments.

Whether you have a device currently or are browsing the market for a new gadget, you will want to know if the product supports wireless charging. Browsing the product description will certainly help you decide. Visit the manufacturer’s website and search the device’s model. There will likely be a specifications section that will detail everything you could possibly want to know. Under ‘charging’, you will be able to see if the device supports wired charging, wireless charging, or both.

Benchmarking websites are another fantastic resource to use when deciphering if a device can be charged wirelessly. There should always be a battery or a charging section. If you spot ‘Qi wireless charging’, you can rest assured that the device can be charged wirelessly. Otherwise, your device can only be charged via cables.

Not all phones, past and present, are Qi wireless charging enabled. If you attempt to use a wireless charger to boost the battery of your incompatible phone, it will be useless. Below is a current list of all the smartphone products that support Qi wireless charging. You can find out more about the most popular cell phones and their charging capabilities via our new comprehensive guide.

On most devices, you will find wireless charging features under battery settings. The location will likely vary between models but, typically, visit Settings, select Device Care, click Battery, and head to the Charging section.

However, if your device is Qi-enabled and you are using a Qi charging pad, it should be as simple as placing your smartphone or other gadgets on the charging device. Your device should start charging in a few seconds.

How do I enable wireless charging on Android?

Android, from Google, is one of the world’s most-used smartphone platforms, along with Apple’s iOS system. Both are primarily used in mobile technology, including phones, tablets, and wearable tech.

With an Android device, you will need to plug in the wireless charger that is included in the package with your charging pad or other transmitters. Once connected to a power outlet, simply place your device onto the charger and the power will kick in to charge your gadget.

All is not lost if you own a smartphone or other device that is not Qi-enabled. Devices without inbuilt wireless charging can be adapted to suit your needs. Manufacturers have brought to market internal and external adapters. With internal transmitters, you place the product within your phone or tablet’s casing, or within a secondary protective case. External versions are typically purpose-built phone or tablet cases.

It is worth remembering that, with internal wireless adapters, the case you choose should not be too thick or bulky as this could interfere with the wireless charging. Whether an internal or external adapter will suit you best, you simply place your device on a charging pad or other wireless charger to boost your battery life.

This solution is ideal for those who want to benefit from wireless charging but do not have a Qi-enabled device. However, not all devices are compatible with adapters so you will need to do some research before making a purchase.

Wireless charging is here to stay and MAGFAST is proud to be at the forefront. The team is dedicated to changing charging for good and we are excited at how many Qi-enabled products are on the market. As this growth continues and Qi charging is added to more and more new devices, we are confident we will be able to support all wireless charging needs. Discover how to charge your phone faster today.

What makes MAGFAST so sensational is our unique family of chargers. Whether you are at home or on the go, our wireless chargers can bring the battery of your phone, tablet, or other gadgets back to life. You can create a bespoke power source by snapping our chargers together (we use revolutionary magnets) or they are fantastic on their own. Whilst we pride ourselves on providing the very best in wireless chargers, some of our units also come with a built-in cable that is self-storing, just for those moments when you might need it.

Wherever you are in the world, MAGFAST can help you change the way you charge. Become part of the wireless charging evolution and shop our products today.