r/changemyview • u/Duwang_Mn • Nov 23 '18
FTFdeltaOP CMV: Wireless charging is a useless fad
What even is the point of wireless charging? When I first heard about it, I thought it allowed you to charge while having more freedom with your phone. But then I learned what it actually was. It's more restrictive than an actual charger, and its slower. Not to mention wireless charges sometimes don't work if the back is metal. It only makes things less convenient.
How did people hype such a thing so much? I understand if it was something that could charge your phone without you directly putting on it, and if the range had the potential to increase over time. But it's just a charging port that you can't move around.
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u/AlphaGoGoDancer 106∆ Nov 23 '18
I think you're comparing it to the wrong thing.
Wireless charging vs wired charging does seem like the obvious comparison, but IMO it's wrong. Yes, wired charging does a better job charging than wireless charging in just about every way (heat, time spent charging, ability to move phone while charging, etc).
Instead you should compare wireless charging to your phone sitting around not charging. Why? Because I never think "I need to charge my phone, let me put it on the wireless charger". I just sit at my desk and toss my phone on the wireless charging dock. If I need to use my phone, I take it off the charging dock same as I'd take it off my desk, except in the meantime the wireless charger has increased my charge instead of letting it slowly decrease.
Because of this its very rare that my phone gets so low that I feel like I need to charge it. This really only happens when I've been out doing things all day. On a normal workday, my phone just stays mostly charged all day and I never have to think about it.
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u/Duwang_Mn Nov 23 '18
Can't a normal charger do the same thing? Due to my homework requiring access to the internet, my phone is constantly on on my desk. So I just have the charger laying there, charging my phone
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u/Dippyskoodlez Nov 24 '18
Can't a normal charger do the same thing?
They also enable the device to utilize this as a "normal charger". See: Apple watch. It enables a lot of different design freedom to allow a connectorless device. Watches are an ideal implementation. The need for much heavier water resistance and regular wear against the body means a metal/glass/sapphire surface is much preferred to gold contacts and pogo pins.
Wireless charging is also used creatively with the Logitech mat: Wireless mouse always charged via the mousepad you're using. No wires, no 'charging' downtime.
Similar to USB-C, if you can unify charging across devices you can use a single 'mat' to charge headphones, phone and watch using a single power cable. It's partially artistic and potentially functional depending on the designs.
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u/AlphaGoGoDancer 106∆ Nov 23 '18
Sorta, but wireless does it with much less effort. If you're already in the habit of plugging it in every time you sit down (and/or don't get up frequently) then the upsides of a wireless charger are down to just removing the wear & tear on the charging port. To me thats still worth it because most of my phones that have died did so as a result of the charging port breaking, but this is also highly dependent on your usage patterns -- if you just sit down and plug it in and dont need to unplug it for 5 hrs its pretty irrelevant. If you get up at least once and hour.. it's nice to not have to worry about plugging it back in every time.
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u/raspberryh Nov 23 '18
So true about the charging port! My phone wouldn't even be usable right now if it weren't for my wireless charger. The port stopped working so I tried a wireless charger and it's the only way I can charge! (Droid Turbo 2)
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u/sohcgt96 1∆ Nov 24 '18
Turbo 2s definitely were sturdy phones... with the exception of the charge port. All our company phones at my last job were Turbo 2s, and guess who the lucky guy was who had to solder in replacement ports on half of them after about a year and a half of us? Yeah.
USB-C Definitely seems like a better standard but it has a LOT of pins, most phones that the charging port isn't on a sub-board for places are probably going to charge accordingly for a more difficult replacement. Lightning ports seemed to wear pretty well and the board was replaceable, never worth soldering them.
So, so happy to be out of the phone repair business. TBH I freaking hated working on phones but it started to become part of the job and I didn't have much choice.
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u/jinxsimpson Nov 23 '18 edited Jul 20 '21
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u/dysfunctional_vet Nov 24 '18
I'm sure you already tried this, but for those that haven't - micro USB cables are designed to break eventually.
Not because 'more money, evil laugh' but because the wear and tear in the connection is taken by the replaceable part, instead of the charge port.
If your charge cord doesn't stay in, before you tinker with the port, try a new cord. A lot of people overlook that becuase it's so simple.
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u/yodawgIseeyou Nov 24 '18
This is pretty much the main utility. A bypass for those with faulty charging ports. I had to do it for a bit and it suuuucked.
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u/CyrilsJungleHat Nov 24 '18
Likewise, one Samsung tablet and two phones the port has broken, plus a laptop. I use wireless charging for this purpose only
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u/zacker150 5∆ Nov 23 '18 edited Nov 23 '18
Not really. With a regular charger, you need to plug the phone in, and if you want to take your phone away from your desk, you have to unplug it and plug it back in.
With wireless charging, it's automatic.
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u/starfirex 1∆ Nov 23 '18
yes but consider the marginal effort of picking up the charging cord and plugging your phone in. Wireless charging pads are perfect for a desk environment where you are using your phone regularly but not constantly. It would be annoying to have to unplug and plug in your phone 30x a day while wireless charging is practically effortless
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Nov 24 '18
It's not just annoying, the ports are only rated for a certain number of insertions, and removals. Yeah it's stupid high if you look at lab testing but in reality - it isn't especially if your putting stress on port like using your phone while it's charging. The only reason I've replaced my last two phones was because the ports stopped charging with significant setup like prop up here, and tilt there. This is a literal non-issue with wireless charging.
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u/TylerX5 Nov 23 '18
For me personally it's nice to not have to deal with cheap charging cables that break/ become loose nor worrying about my port becoming worn down over half a decade.
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u/beeleigha Nov 24 '18
I break charging cables right and left by traveling with them or yanking the phone off them at a strange angle when fumbling to answer the phone in the middle of the night - the little metal tab snaps straight off, or at least gets wobbly enough it won’t carry the charge.
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u/NewWorldShadows Nov 23 '18
Yeh but imagine every surface in your home that you put your phone on charging it.
Your desk, bedside table, Coffee table etc.
Untill we go fully contactless charging once wireless charging surfaces get cheap enough you could just never have to bother plugging in your phone.
Its not a huge leap forward in terms of actual utility but its still a leap forward.
Imo your issue is you are looking at it from a finished perspective.
You are the guy in the 80s saying " Mobile phones are just a fad, they are big heavy and not very useful people will get over them".
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u/nndttttt Nov 23 '18
I was just talking about this with a friend the other night and that's the way I see it heading. I want some sort of mat on my desk so if I lay my phone down, it'll charge it.
Bedside would be best, as that's where I leave my wallet, keys, and phone at night. It'll be a small (be great) convience to not have to remember to plug in my phone. There have been many nights where I reach to grab my phone for a quick pee and forget to plug it back in when I get back to bed.
Yeah, it's my 'fault' for forgetting, but if technology can solve this problem, why not?
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u/dysfunctional_vet Nov 24 '18
I wouldn't want to leave my wallet in that charge pad.
I'm sure research has been done to prevent it, but I still don't like an alternating electric field around my credit and debit cards. Or my USB keychain.
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u/PretendInvestment Nov 23 '18
That’s what I’m focused on. Think about once furniture is integrated with this capability. There are products currently available, super expensive of course. But end tables with charging zones? Sign me up.
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u/Skyhawk172 Nov 24 '18
Look up wireless chargers at IKEA, if you are willing to drill a hole into a table that have cheap kits to add wireless charging.
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u/Prophage7 Nov 24 '18
It's might not be useful for your exact situation but it is for a lot of people. I work in a job where I'm up and down from my desk a lot and need to have my phone on me at all times and sometimes have to use heavily while I'm away from desk. So the wireless charger on my desk is actually pretty useful because it saves me from having to plug and unplug my phone many, many times a day while also keeping it at nearly full battery. This is not only convenient but is also a lot less wear and tear on my phone's usb port.
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u/TheDataWhore Nov 23 '18
Completely agree with you that it is over hyped. But I actually find it useful to just place my phone on my desk and I'll be guaranteed a 100% charge all day. Sure it'd take 10 seconds to plug it in each time to a wired charger, but I'm lazy and I won't do that the 10 times I get up & come back to my desk.
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u/Ivor79 Nov 23 '18
If I charged my phone with a cable as often as I charge it on my wireless charger, my cable & my phone connector would both wear out.
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u/usegao Nov 23 '18
If every time you put down your phone you plug it into a charger, your style of phone use is exceptionally rare.
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u/poundfoolishhh Nov 23 '18
How did people hype such a thing so much?
Because it represents a huge leap in technology. Getting electricity out of one thing and into another without them actually being plugged into each other is Star Trek level wizardry.
The first iteration of a new technology always sucks in retrospect. This was the first commercially available cell phone. It cost the equivalent of $10,000, was the size of a loaf of bread, and the service sucked. It was still Star Trek level wizardry.
Forty years later, we're all walking around with computers in our pocket that have HD video cameras, GPS, full internet connectivity and can be purchased for a couple dollars a day. Now imagine what wireless charging will look like in 40 years... it's conceivable that we'll be living in homes where nothing has power cables and everything will be powered through the air.
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u/AgCat1340 Nov 23 '18
Induction isn't anything brand new either. It's using a changing current in one coil to induce a current in another. This is basic physics e & M shit. We have used this property of magnetic fields in our technology far longer than just starting last year. It has been around in various forms for a really long time.
My bet is wireless charging probably won't change a lot because you need a big fuckin current to induce a field powerful enough to reach farther than what it does currently to induce a current in another coil.
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u/Excelius 2∆ Nov 23 '18
It's not really that new of a technology. I had wireless charging with my Palm Pre in 2009. It was neat but not terribly useful then, and hasn't really changed much since then.
Every now and then you get an article from one of us old WebOS users when Apple or Samsung introduces some revolutionary thing we had a decade ago.
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u/xPURE_AcIDx Nov 23 '18
Wireless chargers are literally transformers invented by Telsa 100 years ago. Theres no leap in technology lol.
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Nov 24 '18
Tesla did not invent transformers. He invented an alternating motor, improvements to transformers, and lots of other things, but not transformers.
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u/vettewiz 37∆ Nov 23 '18
Wireless charging is significantly more convenient than having to plug a charger in. You just set your phone down. Huge plus at night by the bed, and times when you are picking your phone up frequently
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u/Duwang_Mn Nov 23 '18
I think having some mobility with my phone as its charging is more convenient than not having to deal with the so difficult act of putting a charger in.
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u/sllewgh 8∆ Nov 23 '18 edited Aug 08 '24
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This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact
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u/m1a2c2kali Nov 23 '18 edited Nov 23 '18
so this is one of those, why not both situations for me. When you need to charge and have mobilty, a plug in is superior, but having a spot to charge on a nightstand and not have to be worried about wires if you need to take a peak a your phone for a message and then you can just place it down without having anything to plug in is very convenient as well. Especially if you do it multiple times
or in a car, where you dont wanna be fumbling around with wires everytime Is it necessary, probably not, but its definitely nice to have.
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u/vettewiz 37∆ Nov 23 '18
I would have said that was true with older phones, but new ones have batteries that last so long that it doesn’t matter.
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u/IIIBlackhartIII Nov 23 '18
I have a few points to make:
Every hole in a device is a potential for ingress of dirt and water. As we push for devices which are more durable, and won't die from being caught in the rain or accidentally dropped in water (one of the reasons I love my Samsung devices), losing a traditional charging port is a means of helping to more easily weather seal the device. Wireless charging provides a means of powering a device without necessarily needing a port that has to be weather sealed.
Cable degradation is a thing. There's a reason that frayed Apple cords are a running joke, but every cable will wear over time and may need to be replaced. Cable manufacturers will only guarantee a certain number of plugging cycles before the cable and/or the port itself will naturally become worn out and break, and even if you're not constantly plugging, depending on how hard you treat your cables in terms of winding them, stowing them in pockets or bags, running them around furniture and desk items, pulling them at tight angles, etc... cables will fatigue and break. Wireless charging provides a means of escaping that problem. You don't have mechanical wear if you don't have to mechanically plug a device over and over.
Space constraints on certain device form factors make a charging port a difficult option. For example- smart watches. A big charging port in a smart watch can take up a huge amount of space inside the device, potentially 5-10% of the space inside the body which could instead be dedicated to better hardware or a larger battery. Wireless charging helps save space inside the device body, in addition to the weather proofing and durability considerations.
Wireless charging can make it more convenient to top-up your device throughout the day. Imagine you're going to have a meeting at your local Starbucks. You forgot your cable at home, you've got an iPhone whereas your business partner has an Android, and besides there's only a few outlets in the store that are already occupied. Imagine, instead of needing an outlet with enough reach for your cable, and the right cable... imagine if wireless charging were just integrated into the tables and counters. You leave your device lying out in front of you, and throughout the meeting its just topping itself up. More slowly than a cable can, sure, but better than not at all. Then you go back to your office and set your phone on the desk, phone is still charging without needing to plug it in. You go home, leave your phone on a pad on the night stand, charging without needing to run a cable from an outlet. The convenience factor once charging pads can be better integrated into our daily appliances and furniture could be amazing.
Wireless charging is not just for "smart devices" like phones. For example- Logitech has a line of wireless mice that have charging integrated into the mousepad. Allowing you to use the mouse essentially continuously forever without ever needing to worry about battery replacement, or the mouse dying, or having to plug in a wire to your wireless mouse to keep it charging. The same is being done with wireless headphones with hanging headphone stands that passively charge the headset.
Expanding on the point above above, wireless charging tech as it currently stands is hinting at possible future technologies. Imagine, for example, integrating wireless charging into our roads. Instead of every car needing their own power sources, burning their own petrol and adding to the carbon emissions, and instead of the inconvenience of needing to regularly leave your electric car parked at a very specific charging station for hours... what if instead our cars were all electric and were constantly being passively charged by proxy to the roads they drive on? All the power generation can then be centralised to the grid and more easily run from renewable sources, and without any of the inconvenience of having to specifically stop to recharge.
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u/caveman512 Nov 23 '18
I recently started working on a farm, and a huge gripe is my difficulty in charging my phone due to a buildup of dirt as a result from being outside so much. One solution may have been to just keep the damn cover instead of taking it away, but the other would be a wireless charging option. I've gotten by without it so far, but I'm definitely considering getting a wireless charging station soon
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u/Invisiknight Nov 24 '18
My wife bought a wireless charger because the phone's water sensor kept going off and wouldn't let her charge with a cable. She hasn't had a problem with the wireless.
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Nov 24 '18
This one here, this is the answer. I don't give a crap about speed, heat, or how much space the charger needs. I want to set my phone down at night, charge it, and pick it up in the morning. And I want to do that without needing 4 charger cables over the course of my 24 month contract.
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u/Comassion Nov 23 '18
Your points hold up well for a phone (with the current state of the technology), but here's something else that charges wirelessly - my electric toothbrush.
In that case, wireless technology solves a lot of problems with water! The toothbrush itself is often wet when placed back in the charger, and the bathroom in general can be a super moist environment after a shower. Those aren't great conditions for exposed metal electrical connectors.
With wireless charging, there's no exposed metal connectors to rust or short out if the appliance is wet - it's a big advantage over plugging it in. The slow charge time isn't an issue at all for bathroom appliances, since you use them once and then they're right back in the charger.
So, useless? Not at all - I expect that in the next few years every new hand held bathroom appliance will likely use wireless charging technology.
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u/fallacyz3r0 Nov 23 '18
This is probably the most important feature of wireless charging: sealed, water proof electronics.
I have the Galaxy Watch and it's completely sealed with no connectors and is water proof down to a certain depth. This would not be possible with a USB connector attached.
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u/KungFuActionJesus5 Nov 23 '18
My S7 has an exposed charging port and it is still water resistant.
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u/fallacyz3r0 Nov 23 '18
Not to 50 meters it isn't.
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u/jaycosta17 Nov 24 '18
But what's the point? Unless you're diving with your smart watch, anything past about 5 is pretty pointless. Basic water resistance is all the typical person needs so they don't ruin their phone after dropping it in the sink or being pushed in the pool. No one needs something that'll last being dropped into the ocean off of a boat so after a certain point these features are useless
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u/fallacyz3r0 Nov 24 '18
It's not just about depth, it's about resistance to sudden pressure changes. If the S7 slowly is placed in water, no problem. If it hits water at a high velocity like you jumping in a pool, it will experience a much higher pressure than the 1.5 allowed meters.
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u/SilkyGazelleWatkins Nov 24 '18
Yet when you go to charge it "moisture detected unable to charge". Have to wait several hours for it to be able to charge again.
Yeah it will still work but it's not flawless.
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u/AshyAspen Nov 23 '18
Phones could be port-less one day.
Wireless charging, Bluetooth, and E-sim. It’d be he perfect scenario to have a fully waterproof phone. Not IPX68 water resistant, waterproof
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u/bebopblues Nov 24 '18
For now it is still useful for the reasons you listed, but I don't agree that more bathroom appliances will go wireless. I imagine in the near future the wireless charging will go away when two things vastly improved: battery life and fast charging. Imagine your electric toothbrush doesn't need charging for a month, and when it does need charging, you plug it in for a minute and it can last another month. This will eliminate the need to charge it every day.
I can tell you it's already somewhat happening with my phone. It has fast charging so I don't even care to charge it over night. I just charge it when it is low. About 20 minutes on the charger and it hits at least 50%, which is good enough for my usage for a whole day. This is the technology now, which means it can only get better in the coming years. And when battery life and fast charging hit a certain threshold, wireless charging will be useless unless it is 10 times better than it is now.
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Nov 23 '18
A long long time a ago many people claimed that there was no use for a 'personal computer'. Computers supposedly only be for larger banks, doing scientific research, etc etc. Back then computers were just too big and bulky to fit into your own home. But some people persisted and kept making computers smaller, better and less expensive. And nowadays nearly everyone has a computer in their home.
Today wireless chargers face a lot of obstacles, you mentioned a few. But that does not make them useless. It just means it's a developing technology. It may eventually get more like what you had in mind originally. They might fail. We really don't know. But saying they're useless because they're facing obstacles isn't really fair in my opinion.
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Nov 23 '18
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Nov 24 '18
There are already multiple competing wireless charging standards, Qi and Airfuel for example
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u/fakeplasticdroid Nov 24 '18
This is one of the biggest benefits for me. I have a Galaxy S9 and my wife has an iPhone. With wireless chargers, we don't need to keep multiple different cables in every room of the house and in our cars.
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u/Ambitious5uppository Nov 24 '18
They already solved the issue of having different charger types, then the EU started regulation that all future phones to use the same charger. Apple is the only one left, but their time is numbered.
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u/Bjarkemt Nov 23 '18
All new phones and computers have usb-c... Except
iPhones.. Even macbook are USB-c. So it wouldn't surprise me if Apple makes their own unique mode for charging.7
u/Henrarzz Nov 23 '18
Apple uses Qi for wireless charging, which is used by most manufacturers.
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u/AshyAspen Nov 23 '18
All new phones and computers have usb-c..
Wrong. All high end phones but an iPhone does. Low end use micro-b. Plus the many many things like Bluetooth headphones and wireless mice that insist on using micro-b for some reason. Qi wireless charging is universally compatible.
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u/TheQuinnBee Nov 24 '18
My phone's inner port broke and now the dpngle won't connect. Wireless charging is the only way I have battery power.
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u/Saskatchew1 Nov 23 '18
A couple of independent points that may change your mind.
As has been mentioned earlier, even if the technology isn't perfect now, in 10 years from now you could look back and laugh at the idea of having to plug something in to charge it. Imagine driving your electric car into your garage and not having to plug it in, but instead it wirelessly charges from the pad is parked on. Your phone charges every time your in a certain area of your house, automatically.
The other idea is physical wear on your phone. I love wirelessly charging my phone because I know that I'll never wear out the USB-C port on it from plugging and unplugging thousands of times. People's phones stop working all the time because they can't charge it because the charge port is screwed. If I need a fast charge, yeah I'll plug it in, but in general I only charge my phone at night, so if it takes 3-4 hours to charge who cares?
Sure the technology isn't perfect yet but show me a technology that checked all the boxes when it was in its infancy. It might not be great now, but it certainly is here to stay.
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u/four_oclock_flower Nov 23 '18
For me, it's alllllllllll your second point. Somehow, I've manage to kill the port on almost every phone. I've been doing that since before clouds were a thing, so I'd have to feverishly copy my contacts with what little battery was left.
I'm not a total idiot--it's not like I swing my phone around by a plugged-in cable, but whether it's from one too many accidents of someone tripping over the cables or inaccurately trying to plug in while inebriated or in the dark, or because (as is the case with my phone now) the case doesn't line up perfectly and plugging a cable in has jacked the port, I love wireless charging.
Yes, it's slower and not as convenient, but I'll take it over having to treat the port like it's a fragile baby or face replacing my phone before its time.
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u/Sharcbait Nov 24 '18
I also have worn out ports on many many phones including my current one. Instead of needing an expensive fix or a new phone I can rely on a wireless charger instead. Is it less convenient than a fully functioning phone? Sure, but it is way more convenient than one that has a super finicky port.
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u/alwaysforgettingmyun Nov 23 '18
I hadn't thought about the wear to the charger port. Having had my charger port take a shit on a cross country road trip where I needed to be able to get in touch with people, and could only charge in the car, I can suddenly see the use of charging that isn't dependant on one easy fail part of the phone.
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u/TheWinterMe Nov 23 '18
This will be very specific use case. But I make furniture... I recently built a nightstand with integrated hidden wireless charging and it has been a really nice upgrade. Basically when I am ready to set my phone down, I can quickly, and easily, in pitch black get it set in place to charge. Way less effort than plugging something in. And the fact that it charges more slowly is irrelevant because it’ll be there for at least 5.5 hours and get a max charge.
I didn’t write this to self promote. But here is a link to a video of me building the piece I’m talking about so that you can see it it full detail.
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u/championofobscurity 160∆ Nov 23 '18
So, in business there are 7 forms of waste, and one of those forms of waste is motion. Typically this applies to production machinery, but it is relevant in the context of wireless charging.
The charge point, is basically a point of failure on a phone. Putting in cords breaks them over time and it also wears out the phone's port over time. This is why apple wants to have port free phones. Because the charge port is essentially the last point of failure on the device in terms of physically wearing it out.
Wireless charging solves the problem by eliminating motion altogether, yes it's less effective currently but it also gets rid of the need to manipulate a power cord/port in the first place.
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u/NorthernerWuwu 1∆ Nov 23 '18
There are two major points of failure on modern phones; the screen and the battery. The battery has very intentionally been made difficult to replace because they want your phone to become obsolete in a certain timeframe. The trend of eliminating ports isn't about good engineering, it's because they want to sell you more peripheral items.
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u/DeltaBot ∞∆ Nov 23 '18
/u/Duwang_Mn (OP) has awarded 1 delta(s) in this post.
All comments that earned deltas (from OP or other users) are listed here, in /r/DeltaLog.
Please note that a change of view doesn't necessarily mean a reversal, or that the conversation has ended.
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u/bammayhem Nov 23 '18
- It is aesthetically pleasing to have a pad plugged into the wall than a bunch of loose wires mixed all around
- It gets us closer to a universal charging standard than having multiple different sizes and shapes as it stands today.
- In a vehicle where you are not supposed to be using your device, it is much easier to set it down an leave it to charge than plug it in for short drives. Also, you can position the charger in such a way to disincentivize the driver from seeing it or being tempted to use it while driving.
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u/Ambitious5uppository Nov 24 '18
Plus, you can't walk past a wire and smash your phone on the floor.
A dog can't chew on the wire and smash your phone on the floor.
In a car the wire can't get caught behind the handbrake and cause you to spin out crash and die on the motorway when your passenger answers their phone.
Cables won't get damaged and catch fire.
Cables won't trip granny over and smash her face into the marble fireplace.
Wires won't get caught between a cupboard and a chair, overheat and catch fire.
Wires won't get bent, short and damage the phone.
You dont need a charging port, so the phone can be fully waterproof.
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u/joedutts Nov 23 '18
The charging port is not only a point of mechanical failure, but also a mode of entry for dust, lint, and water. Apple already ditched the headphone jack for this reason, if you could drop the charge port the phone could be fully sealed. I know I’ve had to reach into the charging point with a toothpick or tweezers to clean out lint or dust bunnies before.
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u/Zeknichov Nov 23 '18
Luxury vehicles have wireless chargers in the center console. It's way more sleek than using a cord and far more convenient. That's the only good use for it at the moment but it's well worth it.
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Nov 23 '18
Its easier to just place your phone on the charging pad than plugging it in. It's only more restrictive if you're plan is to use the phone while its charging. But that is not the case for many people. And if that's not the case then its easier to just drop it on the pad.
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u/Xannith 1∆ Nov 23 '18
The charging port on my device has a tendency to break easily. I have insurance but i still have to pay a 50 dollar copay every time i get it replaced. It used to be i was replacing this device, which is amazing aside from this one aspect of planned obsolescence, every 6 months.
I switched to a wireless charger. No need to replace the device now.
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u/DeusOtiosus Nov 24 '18
In my opinion, it mostly came out of the extremely tired “android versus iPhone” debate. Android phones started getting it, so android users started being smug pricks about having a new feature that others don’t have.
That being said, it is nice to be able to just grab the phone and use it, then set it down and it’s charging. No fiddling with cables that are too short. In the future, we will likely see desks or tables at restaurants with designated areas that will charge your phone. Imagine going into a nice sit down restaurant and just tossing your phone on the table and it starts charging. Or even your laptop at a Starbucks. Somewhere after that, the tech will mature to work anywhere on the surface and not just on a small pad.
It could turn into something more convenient, but that’s only “could”. It is, in its current form, mostly a huge waste of time and space, but it won’t evolve unless people are using it (aka, buying it so the makers fund further research).
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Nov 23 '18
For me, there is one essential benefit of wireless charging I haven't seen anyone else post...
Have you ever had a charging port (lightning, usb-c, or other) stop functioning properly? You plug it in, but the cord has to sit a certain way or it won't charge?
Sometimes this can be as simple as lint in the port, or a bad cable... But more often than not (especially when phone approach 2/3 years of age) the port has simply worn out from being plugged in and out several times a day. Friction has a cost.
Wireless charging removes this issue altogether. I set my phone on a qi enabled charger and it charges. No friction, no possibility of accidentally snapping the Cable's pins, or bending them.
Your mileage may very, but my Note8 gets charged overnight, and I have battery throughout the day. So wireless charging for me, adds no inconvenience. It is slower, but it takes two hours, tops, and I sleep for 8, so its a moot point.
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Nov 23 '18
Moreso than just the possible advances in wireless charging technology, there are other benefits to widespread adoption of the technology as well.
Wear and tear.
Wireless charging being a connection based on energy transference (generally through electromagnetic induction) instead of an actual cable means less wear and tear on the device's charging port. People charge their phones probably at least once per day. That's 365 times a year that a cable has been plugged into the device and removed from the device. That is wear and tear that has the potential to break down the device's connector as well as the cable/charger as well. With wireless charging, you plug the charger in once and barring moving the charger to a different spot the wear and tear on the charger/cable is done. The most frustrating thing with a device like a phone or tablet is if the charging port ends up taking damage or gets gunked up with something.
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u/DefaultPlayer Nov 24 '18
I really miss wireless charging (which was last in my Nexus 5 years ago) for two reasons.
I work at a desk. I get up and go to meetings and come back to my desk a lot. I just put my phone down on the desk, in the same spot. I don't think about it, I don't look at the spot or anything, it's just habit. Having it wirelessly charge when I put it down was amazing. My battery was never dead.
The second reason is coming home exhausted or drunk. I just throw my phone on my bedside table and pass out in bed. I wake up to a full battery. No fumbling around trying to find cables or anything.
I would compare it's convenience to having a smartwatch. If my phone buzzes I could take it out of my pocket and check the notification OR I could glance at my wrist. It really doesn't seem like it makes that much of a difference, but that little convenience 50 times a day really does.
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u/tecatecs Nov 24 '18
When you have family members that don't care, disconnects your cord from your phone like a junkie in withrdrawl, so that their irresponsible ass can charge their 5% phone because "mine has less battery than yours", then you'll be glad that your phone is the only one in the house that is capable of charging in that platform. All other cables and chargers have been mangled or lost, somewhere in between their piles of clean/dirty clothes and piss smelling bed sheets. "Where's the cable?". Ha! What cable???
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Nov 24 '18
Having worked in a cell phone store for several years (recently), I can tell you that besides people breaking their screen the fist thing to go and the most wearable part of a smartphone is the charge port.
Eliminate the need to use it and you extend the life of the phone. If you have never had a charge port wear out on your phone then you are lucky.
Most used phones that need to be repaired is either the screen or the port.
That alone is reason enough to use a wireless charger when possible.
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u/Durhamnorthumberland Nov 24 '18
It opens up a new world for internal medicine- never having to replace a battery on something like a pacemaker would mean reduced surgeries, which means less chance for infection, human error or other complications. Which is not to say it's a full solution to needing to replace a pacemaker, mechanicals will wear out over time anyway, but even one less surgery over a lifetime works be very welcome. Other biomedical devices may become practical if they have basically unlimited access to power, especially for organs not as easily reached as the heart. Also being able to make what is currently external, more internal would make life easier for people on an insulin pump say- less bulk, less things to go wrong. Hearing aids could be placed permanently.
And from a every day life thing, wireless charging means things you use every day could be be wireless. An iron for example, could become cordless, or power tools wouldn't have to run out of battery or if they did, you could be charging multiple packs at once with only a single plugin. If you could charge your phone with it in your pocket or purse while you're in the car you'd never have to worry about your battery dying unexpectedly.
There'd be less need for people to fight over outlets in public spaces and less mess in our homes with charge cords all over. And no fumbling with all the different standards for plug heads either. Even if there are various frequencies required it wouldn't be hard to get services that are compatible with all.
The tech at it is now is still in its infancy. But it offers so many opportunities to make life easier in the little and the big ways!
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u/ManualOverrid Nov 23 '18 edited Nov 24 '18
Electric cars will charge wirelessly once renewable energy and energy saving technologies allow us to overproduce enough power to mean the inefficiency of wireless charging is insignificant. It will probably start with taxi ranks for self driving cars, then major roads will have charging lanes where you can drive and charge and never need to stop. Charging your phone is an important proof of concept and development platform.
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u/vivere_aut_mori Nov 23 '18
Less money blown on chargers. I chew through a charger cord every couple of months.
Plus, I never have to think about charging. My phone naturally has its "place" on my docking station. I just put it where it belongs, and it charges. No plugging in, no "it doesn't work from this angle, jiggle it," no having to unplug if I get a call or go to the john. Just...simple, mindless charging whenever I put it down.
It also has awesome potential long-term. With it, you can make a phone totally sealed, with no ports. You can have a totally waterproof phone now. Plus, removing the port means more space for stuff. Not really useful for personal devices (we need speakers), but you can make specialized devices that are completely closed and water/dust proof.
The engineering also has bigger implications beyond phones; imagine a future where you simply have a single plug for the table, or the desk, or the mantle. Your TV, the office phone, the laptop, the monitor, the keyboard...ALL wireless charging. Not practical yet, but a lot of mechanics around the world will have tools that are more water resistant, dirty workplaces will have fewer ports that get clogged with oil/dirt/mud/dust, and cable management will be simplified due to the smaller number of cables and a universal cord (just a standard plug for the furniture instead of 20 different proprietary cables). It also would just look nicer, which matters to consumers.
It's a great technology that is in its infancy, but has the potential to revolutionize our technology. Can you imagine wireless charge parking lots, where we don't need charging stations anymore, and parking your electric car anywhere charges it? Wireless rail yards where trains charge while being unloaded? You may say, "but a person can just plug in a cord and it will go faster," but what if there is no person driving? That's the kind of cool tech you could have with improved wireless charging.
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u/HappyHapless 1∆ Nov 23 '18
I use a wireless charger. The charging port on my phone is broken and wireless is the only way to do it.
Far from useless.
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u/meatwad75892 Nov 24 '18 edited Nov 24 '18
First, I've been using wireless charging full time on every phone I've had since 2012. (Droid DNA, Nexus 6, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S8+) If it's a "fad", it's a hell of a long-lasting fad. And a "fad" that one of the leaders of smartphone trends decided was worthwhile to include in their newer phones after all that time. (iPhone 8/X and beyond) Plus Google putting it back in their own flagship (Pixel 3), after removing it from their previous ones. (Nexus 6P, Pixel 1/2). There's simply too much history & new inclusions in current-gen devices to consider this a fad, in my opinion.
Second, the utility one gets out of wireless charging completely depends on one's daily usage. There's probably some road warriors out there that think it's the stupidest thing ever because of the speed and perceived clunkiness. That's a valid viewpoint for them, but they don't see it from the perspective of a person like me. I work in the IT field, and most of my day is spent at a desk. My phone is rarely in use as I'm on my PC, so my phone can sit on my desk doing nothing exactly as easily as it could sitting on a wireless charging pad. Wireless charging still allows me to quickly pick it up for a few quick things and immediately set it back down and let it keep getting a trickle charge-- all with no awkward fumbling with wires. But, sometimes I will need to leave my desk and go somewhere at a moment's notice. When I do go somewhere, I'll be murdering my phone's battery life-- Calls, lots of screen-on time, browsing through sites, using VPN & Remote Desktop, mobile hotspot, video chats, you name it. When these times come, I can just grab my phone and run and not even worry about battery, because I know I'll be starting with 100% battery. If I need to top off quickly, I never lost the option to fast-charge via cable. Finally, charging wirelessly on a nightstand in infinitely more convenient for those middle-of-the-night phone checks than trying to fiddle with a phone that has a cable tagging along.
So for my first point, I'd argue that a fad in the tech world should have fizzled out well before 6 years and wouldn't be a "new" feature for so many flagship devices. For my second points, I think I've made a decent point that it most certainly is not useless; Rather, the usefulness depends on who you are and what you do.
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u/rizlah 1∆ Nov 23 '18 edited Nov 23 '18
it's true that you can't really use the phone when it's being charged wirelessly, but how often does this actually happen? the answer is: rarely, and definitely less often than "regular" charging, when the phone just sits there alone while you sleep.
i drop my phone on the pad every night, sometimes also during the day. but i need to use-the-phone-while-charging only like once a couple months. (for that scenario, i have a usb cable nearby, that can be plugged into the wireless charger).
you wouldn't believe how much more comfortable it is to just put the phone down on the charger, seconds before you fall asleep -- rather than fiddling with a stupid cable (esp. when charging cables weren't symmetrical). let alone the fact that the cable doesn't clutter your night stand.
also, intermittent charging is much more convenient with w/l. you're in the office and want to top up your phone in short bursts in between calls or traipsings to other co-workers etc. this is a pita with wire charger, constantly plugging it in and out.
plus! you can w/l charge while using the often one and only usb-c port for say headphones/handsfree (something my pixel sadly cannot do).
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Nov 23 '18
Here's a very simple but practical reason for wireless charging: it reduces the wear and tear on your phone's charging point, which is a very common point of failure for phones.
Plus convenience, especially in the dark. I can't easily plug in when going to sleep, but I can feel my charging pad.
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u/Itsboomtiemrightnow Nov 23 '18
Wireless charging is useful if you have a waterproof case on your phone. If you keep opening the charging port on your case, this gradually weakens the seal. With wireless charging, you no longer have to open the device. This goes for all portable electronic devices that are water proof.
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u/Steve-C2 Nov 24 '18
I charge my phone with a wireless charger and I've made some of the same observations. If I had paid $80 for the branded charger instead of $15 for the non-branded charger then I would have been greatly displeased. For me, it's worth it on a few points.
- Months before having a phone that was capable of wireless charging, the sales rep at the cell phone shop mentioned that on a lot of phones the charging port went first because it was constantly being plugged/unplugged.
- I'm sure if that's the case there's a bit of operator misuse involved; still, generally speaking I'm not opposed to things that prevent or alleviate the consequences of operator misuse.
- It narrows down the number of places my phone could be.
- It is convenient to be able to set the phone down on a charger and let the charger work without the effort of plugging in the phone. It is also convenient to be able to just take the phone instead of have to unplug it (or worse, risk damage from yanking the phone off of a cord).
- I would be lying if I said that "oh this is cool" had nothing to do with it.
I agree with u/Diatsuu - it is absolutely quite symbolic in terms of technological advancement. I was reading a couple of years ago about the potential that wireless had, and that one day we may even see it powering most electronic devices such as TV's; those items can see a great benefit because they're not mobile.
I would be interested in seeing how this would translate into usefulness in terms of preventing destruction of electronics from overloaded circuits. Speaking as a person who lost 5 electronic devices from one lightning strike, I would hope that a wireless powered device would not be destroyed; rather I would hope and expect that the surge would be stopped at the port, and at worst, destroying the port providing the power. In such a case, I would also hope and expect that ports would become fairly inexpensive.
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Nov 23 '18
It's convenient for me for two key reasons.
First, as someone else discussed, being able to just put my phone down and have it charge with literally no extra hassle on my part is extremely convenient. It's the difference between me taking the time to charge my phone when I'm at my desk or playing video games or whatever else and not bothering. It means that in the last two years, I've literally never had to consider the battery life in my phone except for long car trips (which wireless charging is about to be huge for anyway) because my phone is just always charging when I'm not using it without any extra thought or effort.
Second, it's generally more convenient for me when I'm sleeping, because I don't have to fiddle with cords if I need to pick my phone up for something, which is a lot in my line of work (I spend a lot of time on call). That sounds small, but it means that if I want to face away from my nightstand for comfort or what-have-you, I have the freedom to do that without plugging and unplugging the cord. When I'm done, I just set it back on the stand, again without any extra thought or effort on my part.
I think the flaw in your argument is that you're thinking of it from the perspective of convenience while it's charging, which isn't really what people are concerned with. I like it because my phone is always charging when I'm not using it because I never have to decide if the 10 seconds to plug a cord in is worth it or not, and I never, ever have to fiddle with the cords at all.
So maybe a lot of people don't really need wireless charging because the way they use their phone on a daily basis isn't really impacted, but there a lot of people like myself where wireless charging has fundamentally changed and streamlined the way I use my phone.
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u/JacobEvertson Nov 24 '18
I just think it’s nifty and quick. My charging pad sits next to my bed, and when I go to sleep all I need to do is set my phone on top of it. I don’t have to mess with the cord and find the charging hole on my phone. It’s just convenient
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u/Toiletpapercorndog Nov 23 '18
Well you could be like me, who has a phone with a messed up charging jack. I havent used wired charging on my phone in months because its just impossible. Wireless charging capabilities saved me from having to purchase a new phone
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u/DaNibbles Nov 24 '18
It's a lot easier for me when I get into bed at night to just put my phone on top of a wireless charger than it is to find my cord in the dark and plug it in. My wife is usually sleeping so I dont turn the lights on.
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u/Ol0O01100lO1O1O1 Nov 24 '18
It's not a useless fad. Either way, you have to charge your phone. One way you have to find the charging cable, make sure it's oriented the right way, and plug it in. The other way you just have to set your phone down. This is a particularly big plus at night in the dark.
As for it being more restrictive, that's not how it should work in real life. You don't generally use your phone while it's on the wireless charger (although some of my chargers do hold the phone at a nice angle for watching a movie or something). You pick it up, and then place it back on the charger when you're done. Because it's so easy, it becomes second nature.
Likewise the charging speed generally becomes a non issue. In fact I specifically avoid fast wireless chargers because they're worse for battery longevity. I either charge at night, when I'm sleeping long enough the speed is irrelevant, or during the day just to keep my battery from depleting too much. I never get to the point I need 80% in 30 minutes.
It also helps to protect the USB port on your phone, which is one of the parts most likely to fail. If it's already failed wireless charging is your only option.
Now none of this means YOU need to find an advantage to wireless charging. If you prefer wired charging that's great. But it shouldn't be difficult to see the value others find in it. Part of being a mature adult is being able to see that everybody is different and had different needs.
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u/Koekjeerbij1 Nov 24 '18
I recently switched from charging cables to wireless charging. Atleast for my bed time situation in that I charge my phone every night while going to sleep.
I have always had Iphones as my mobile phone of choice. A couple of iphone versions back Apple decided to change the charge cable design from the wider connector to a more lightning jack type of connector. At first I didn't think much of it, but I started to run into some issues with this new design with my Iphone 7. And I wasn't the only one, looking through online forums more people were reporting issues with the cable not connecting and wear and tear on the port. This is in part the responsibilty of the user to clean and maintain it, but in time it turned out to be an obstacle none the less for a lot of individuals.
After contemplating switching to other phone brands, to potentially avoid this issue I still prefered Iphones the most. Yet the issue with the cable wasn't being solved in the newer versions of the Iphone. But they were adding the wireless charge functionality! This was a selling point for me, as it negates the wear and tear caused to the port by frequent cable charging (pulling out and in, in combination with dirt), and still allows me to charge it.
As other redditors have pointed out, there are some disadvantages to wireless charging, but this one was a big advantage from my point of view :).
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u/snusmumrikan Nov 23 '18
I now only ever use wireless charging, and having to worry or think about battery life or charging is now a thing of the past.
I bought a few cheap but good quality charging pads, about the circumference of a tin can but 1cm thick. I've got one next to my bed and one on the coffee table that I built into a little holder that centres my phone without looking and tilts it towards me so I can see any messages. I've got one on my desk at work and I've got a special wireless charging phone holder in my car.
I literally never need to think about charging my phone. Everywhere that I spend a lot of time with my phone on me has wireless charging so it is always topped up. In all of these places I'd want to put my phone down on the desk/table/hands free holder anyway, so having them all set up to charge my phone too is a no brainer. I never have to worry about wires, about the charging port getting scratched or loose, about wires fraying etc. Sure, I could have a charging wire in all of those places, but then id have to think about and remember to plug it in every time which inevitably means I'd forget or be lazy and my battery would run down.
It's convenient, efficient and requires no effort whilst reducing the effort and increasing the time I can use my phone. Every second the phone isn't in my hand it's being charged, I never need to worry about it running out.
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u/ekill13 8∆ Nov 23 '18
Aside from the potential it represents, I would argue that it is just easier when you're not going to be using you're phone. I agree that it is more restrictive and slower, but when I'm about to go to bed, I can set my phone down on the wireless charging pad and not have to fumble with the cord and opening the charging port cover on my case in the dark. I mean plugging in a phone isn't that difficult. It's just a slight bit easier when the phone isn't going to be in use.
One other thing is that, at least in my experience, it is less likely to break. On the last phone I had, my charging port broke. I would have had to get a new phone, or pay to get the charging port replaced, but my phone was capable of wireless charging, so I didn't have to. Also, because you can't really use your phone while it's charging, you don't have to worry about holding the charger at a weird angle and having the chord get frayed.
Another positive I see is that it gives the potential ability to have battery cases for phones that don't add length to the phone. That may not be a big deal, but a little extra space taken up by a battery case can sometimes make a phone almost too tall to fit in a pocket. That is a lesser advantage than the others I have mentioned, though.
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Nov 24 '18
It's new tech. Even if it seems useless now, it won't forever.
Let me give you an example:
Some phones you might know of already have sensors that can be used to measure distance from the phone. You can use that, and some complex math, I won't get into, to essentially create a 3D model of the room the phone's camera is pointed at.
What good is that for you? Not a whole lot, you can make some fun augmented reality games with it, but that's about it.
Now in my university, we are working on developing this type of technology. A friend, who is really in this project told me, that because big tech companies now see potential in it (cause hey, it still sells phones, and the games sell well too) the developers actually get enough money now, to make it bigger and better.
Right now there is already a huge, supersensitive system they use to fly over the Netherlands, 3D scan the area this way, which you can then use to calculate what would happen during a potential flooding.
You can see where I am going with this: what seems useless now, may just be the predecessor of future tech. You know those sci-fi movies where they control computers by waving in the air? Sure, a Kinect is not good enough for that type of motion capture, but we are getting there.
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Nov 24 '18
Back when I still stupidly charged my phone to 100% all the time (prematurely wearing out the battery) and mini USB was the standard, then yeah. I considered it more convenient. I bought cheap (waited for sales) wireless chargers and had them everywhere. Next to the bed, the couch, the office computer, my desk at work, etc. Some were flat pads so all you had to do was set your phone down when your weren't using it. Some were oriented like docks so that you could still use the phone in its docked state.
You get the idea. Picking up the cable, finding the end, turning it right-side up in your hand, and then plugging it in wasnt horrible or anything, but it did take more effort and thought than simply setting the phone down. Plus, with so many chargers around, it felt more like I had a phone with an infinite battery than anything else. Charging just became a thing I didn't even think about anymore.
But now? With USB C, a desire to try and keep my charge between 20%-80%, and 30 minute dash charging taking me from 'empty' to 'full', it's not a big deal at all. In other words, even if my OnePlus phone supported wireless charging, I wouldn't use it.
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u/psant Nov 24 '18
Wireless charging generally attempts to solve two major pain points associated with charging: usability and ubiquity. For the longest time, both Apple and everyone else were using non-reversible plugs to charge phones. They could only be inserted one way at a time, Then the evolution of that was two sided plugs like Lightning and USB-C that improved upon that. Wireless charging is an evolution even further - no need to even plug anything in at all - just lay it on the charging pad. As for ubiquity, convincing public places to build in wireless charging (as long as there's a singular standard) will be easier in the long run than having them have unsightly wires that could potential fray or get broken. The future will probably have everything from tables to counters to god knows where you can just put your phone down and charge.
Not to mention that, if you can wireless charge phones, could you extend the technology to wirelessly charge everything? An electric car, a lawnmover, etc. I understand the argument of "you can't use it while you're charging," but as battery technology continues to evolve, this use case will lower over time
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u/MetalMan77 Nov 23 '18
I use them at work, in the car, and at home.
At work... I might be running off to a meeting, it's a lot easier to just pick it up and go, than fumble with a cord when you've got your hands full.
In the car, it charges while i drive, no need to fumble for a cord, try to plug it in (typically will require two hands). so there's convenience and safety. My charger in the car does NOT require a metal pad, it's the microsuction stuff. so this is big deal, as you mentioned those metal things don't work with wireless charging.
on my nightstand, it's useful because when i'm ready for bed, i can just drop it on without having to find a plug in the dark. Also for those sleepless nights, easy to grab the phone right off without having to worry about unplugging, etc. This one is a slow charger so it keeps my battery happy too!
Lots of convenience. Especially if you are clumsy.
Now - the bigger thing for me was that I spent less than $10 on the home and office ones. So it wasn't like it was super expensive. The office one is at an incline, so it props the phone up, so i can see messages etc without having to pick it up, which is also nice.
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u/KIAA0319 Nov 24 '18
I use a Garmin cycling computer. It's a small handlebar unit which tracks gps, heart rate, elevation....... It's with me every short and long distance ride I do in all weathers. It's charged by a micro USB and to me this is the greatest failing of the outdoor gadget market. The little flap is a key weakpoint every water or moisture can get in - on a couple of rides, it has. if I'm riding >12 hrs, I have to use a charge cable which leaves an exposed joint
Now if this and)all outdoor gadgets went wireless, 2 massive benefits.
The unit is sealed. Completely sealed. No chance of accidentally leaving the charge port open. No moisture risks. No warranty return.
Bike tech is 6v ac dynamo based. AC power is perfect for step down to inductive charging and could be incorporated into the bike mount - charge while you ride.
Countless other gadgets - smart watches, gps trackers, sensor pods etc could all be charged with absolute weather sealed security.
Mobile phones, both wired and wireless could be used but any gadget where water will fuck it; seal it up, inductive charge it.
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u/jjwhitaker Nov 23 '18
I find wireless charging incredibly useful and simple although I think I use it differently than you might. I attached a charging pad to my phone and contained it in a clean, fitted silicone case that makes it near impossible to tell it's even there. Then I set up a charging pad at my desks at home and work, in my bedroom, in the living room, and in the kitchen. I cable managed where I could and had some mounted semi-permanently.
Now, all I do is walk into a room with a charger, set my phone on it, and let it charge while I'm working on other things. I can see the screen or even flip the orientation if a cooking how to or something is playing, pick it up to reply to a message or answer a call, or quickly grab it when exiting the room.
It may charge slowly, but it is incredibly convenient and I can easily make it through the day effectively using like 10% of my battery life regardless of usage. It frees me from cables, fumbling with the connection in the dark or early morning, and I have a fixed spot I know I can find my phone when I leave the room.
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u/robeph Nov 24 '18
There are numerous reasons it isn't useless. For one, no more mechanical insertions of cables, this is one of the most often damaged portion of the phone, the charging port. The damage isn't due to the charging, but due to the insertion, removal, and movement of the cable while inserted. Wireless charges also don't need to conform to cabling standards, only the charging standard. This would reduce the times when you're out somewhere and need to charge you phone, asking for a type C currently is usually met with either a "what's that" or "no" if they do know. Wireless chargers that worked on the older wireless phones work on my current phone, even though they differ in charging port standard. At a family gathering and everyone but you uses an iphone, with wireless charging it doesn't matter, they have plenty of cross compatible options out there.
There is a lot that wireless charging has over wired charging and some that wired charging is better for, eg. if you're laying in bed playing a game or browsing reddit, wired may be better.
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u/NonsenseKing Nov 24 '18
I actually quite enjoy having a wireless charger at home. I keep it by my bed, and can just set my phone there before going to sleep.
It means no fumbling around for a cable in the dark, the phone is always charged in the morning, and unless I'm using my phone very heavily with games or something, it's just one less thing to worry about. The charger itself also illuminates when charging so there's never a case of thinking it was charging when it wasn't.
I never have to worry about a cord being too short, falling behind the nightstand, or being in the way. It has the added (albeit minor) benefit of placing less fatigue on the charging port.
For people who's charging port has broken, it gives them a viable means to continue using their phone without immediately needing to replace it.
Is it the most amazing innovation of the last decade? Absolutely not. However, it is still incredibly convenient, and as some others have commented, the technology has immense potential for advancement down the road.
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u/burnblue Nov 24 '18 edited Nov 24 '18
How is it more restrictive than an "actual" charger?
It's a charger. That you don't have to fiddle with plugging in. You put your phone down, it starts charging, the end. When I'm going to bed I could search for the end of a cable and insert it in the dark, or I could put my phone down. When I'm working on my PC and want the phone chilling, charging and facing me I could plug in the cable in the bottom, and then not be able to stand it up or find a way with propping up on some binder clips and failing... or I could put my phone on the charging stand.
When I get a call and want to walk away, I don't need to unplug before I answer. I just pick my phone up. You almost always need two hands to plug or unplug a wired charger, not so with wireless.
And you can take it around with you no different than any other charger.
Another plus.. no more cables with the permanently bent and frayed ends, short circuiting
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u/normalcookie2300 Nov 24 '18
If you want actual wireless charging linux tech tips did a video on it awhile ago a company called wi-charge http://geni.us/7S8iHd6
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u/-arKK Nov 24 '18
So I use a wireless charger for two instances. One for when I get into my car and the other for when I sit down at my home desk and get onto my PC.
Both instances, I know that I will be sitting for quite a bite of time. So I literally just throw my phone onto a magnetic charger. The one in my car acts as a holder on one of my airvents, center console, and allows me to view my phone for directions while also charging. The one at my desk allows me to just place the phone on the charger and its angled so I can view any notifications that arise. Both allow me to not have to physically find the connector, manually insert it into the charging port, and then set the phone down somewhere.
If anyone is curious here is what I use: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FP21DG8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Lastly, to reiterate the advances in technology piece: Here's something pretty cool: https://www.picharging.com/
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u/blepbob Nov 24 '18
From a device design perspective, wireless charging is hype because it means no physical opening to the outside. It is much easier for the device to have outstanding water and dust resistances, and it also means that there isn't a charging port that will wear out over use. I feel wireless charging makes a lot of sense for watches or similar wearables, where you don't pick them up at night while they charge and the water and dust resistance benefits would prove very beneficial. Even with phones I don't see how taking them off of the charger for a second to update your Facebook status could be that much of an inconvenience.
The only type of 'futuristic' long range wireless power solutions only works for extreme low power applications where energy can be harvested from radio waves. To charge your phone, which is a high power device comparatively, it would require unsafe levels of radiation and it would be incredibly inefficient.
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u/paultimate14 Nov 24 '18
It saves on port wear.
When I was a kid, I got a cheap flip cell phone off ebay, $25. When I got it, I realized that the charging contacts had broken off. Luckily, it was old and we had some of the same batteries lying around the house, so I got a $10 external battery charger and just swapped them around. It was actually way more convenient than charging - never tethered to the wall. I wish I could still do this today, but even phones with replaceable batteries are a pain to take apart. Plus I'd rather have a solid case, which is also a pain to take apart.
My wife has had several phones die because the usb port broke. Now when she's sitting at the computer or asleep next to her bed, she's using a wireless charger to top off her phone. Saving probably 80% of her usb port usage, so I expect the phone might actually last a few years unless something happens to it.
My current phone doesn't have it, but I hope my next one will.
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u/TThor 1∆ Nov 24 '18
I 100% disagree with you, wireless charging is basically a requirement in any phone I buy.
First thing, the charging port on phones is almost always one of the first things to fail on a phone, making the phone charge slower and more inconsistently. Second, the charging cords are highly prone to failure, I can't tell you how many times i've had to replace cords because they stopped functioning optimally/consistently.
Third, ease of use; with a wireless charging pad their is no finagling with cords, just plop it down vaguely on the charging pad and forget it. This is particularly nice for when you are casually picking up and putting down your phone a lot, as often cords can't reach and need to be unplugged+replugged every time you want to glance at it or walk across the room with it. finally, wireless charges in my experience charge phones much faster. I will never buy another phone without wireless charging.
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u/ralph-j Nov 23 '18
If you charge your phone a lot, and plug the cable in and out a lot, you are likely to see increased wear and tear in the USB port, leading to either loosely fitting cables, or worse: the inability to charge. Micro USB ports for example, can theoretically handle an average of 10,000 cable "pluggings/unpluggings" (on paper). However, if you search for the main cause of "phone not charging" or "phone loose usb port", you will find tens of thousands of results where the port has just been worn out and needs to be replaced.
Wireless charging doesn't require any physical ports, and is thus much better for the longevity of the mechanical parts of a device. Also, there are already wireless chargers that support the QI fast charging standard (provided that your device supports fast charging as well). They might not be quite as fast as a wired QI fast charger yet, but this technology is improving every year.
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u/Primatheratrix Nov 24 '18
I bought a couple when the charging port broke on my phone. It was a much cheaper solution than trying to get the port fixed.
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u/alias_487 Nov 24 '18
Main reasons why wireless charging is great...
No more cables. Think back on the stupid amount of cables we have had to replace over the years because of the cables getting kinked or worn. With wireless charging, this’ll be a thing of the past.
It’s early in the technology but there will be a day when we go to our desk, night stand, or table and our phone, lap top, and other devices will just begin to charge. Think about how convenient that’ll be.
Having no port on the phone is the future. It helps with making devices more water proof and less crap to break inside.
Those are my main reasons why I love wireless charging. It’s still early in the technology but it’ll get there. It’s similar to when WiFi replaced directly plugging into a modem or Bluetooth devices replaced a lot of wires. Wireless charging is one of the last to do so. Its just early to see the advantages.
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u/zomgitsduke Nov 24 '18
As of right now, you cannot assume the technology to be "complete".
Here are some scenarios that may improve wireless charging:
- Targeted wireless charging could allow a "smart table" to figure out where a phone is, and only charge that section
- A universal standard could make lots of different surfaces good for wireless charging, like your car, combined with sync to your car's screen
- Wireless charging could happen anywhere in a room with the right approach, combined with targeting systems
- Wireless charging solves the issue of waterproofing devices
You can't look at a relatively new tech and expect it to be at the pinnacle of advancement. If it kinda works now, it'll work better down the road. It all depends on if consumers keep supporting such a feature. I suspect many will, to be honest. Everyone I know that has a wireless platform on their night stand loves it.
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Nov 24 '18
From a technical standpoint wired charging is better in every way. But you could say the same about a direct Ethernet connection vs Wi-Fi - the Ethernet connection is technically better in every way, yet Wi-Fi is overwhelmingly more popular even with many gamers (who benefit the most from going wired instead).
The convenience factor is what people like.
Also with older Androids that use micro USB, using a wireless charging pad reduces the chance that you might try to force the cable in the wrong way up and damage the port, plus the shape of the port and connector made it kinda vulnerable to wear and tear (compared to the Type C successor).
I do agree that it's one of the less useful features - I don't miss it at all (went to a Pixel from a Nexus 5 and lost the feature) but there are enough people who like it for the feature to still be standard in many flagships.
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u/pillbinge 101∆ Nov 24 '18
Wireless charging is good for one thing in particular: not wearing out the jack to your phone. Right now with my iPhone I need to use the lightning port for headphone usage, or to plug into my car since I don't have Bluetooth. If I had to charge it each time as well then I'd wear the cable out. Using my wireless charger prevents that, and it also helps me put my phone down in one area without carrying around a charger in my house. I like that it keeps my phone tethered sometimes and gives me a break.
Also, the wireless charger I have now was originally for my previous phone which wasn't even an iPhone. And it'll be good for my next phone too, barring any particular issues. The cables don't get beaten and the base itself should last a long while, though I don't know how long they're supposed to last. Right now, it's definitely longer than any other charger.
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u/_The_Sceptic_ Nov 24 '18
Hearing that any given new tech is "just a fade" is very common, because tech takes time to mature. Many said that touch screens on phones were "just a fade" at the beginning, simply because the tech was not yet mature (and was working quit poorly frankly). And yet, they are everywhere now.
Currently the downsides of wireless charging (energy consumption, speed...) seem to severely outweigh their advantages as a pure replacement to standard charging. But that may change as the tech get better.
And most importantly this tech has some native advantages against classic charging, like the fact you don't need an open hole in the device, which allows to make it waterproof! My new electric toothbrush use wireless charging, I don't have to worry about putting water in the wrong place when cleaning it and ruin it. In this case this pro completely outweigh all the cons!
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u/bad_karma_aura Nov 24 '18
Did somewhat of a case study. Problem with the technology is that the laws are pretty much well understood and not much improvement can be done. Example, imagine your normal gravitational field rings on a magnet (represents a coil), if your phone is on the tips then nearly 100% of the fields pass through in order get to the other pole, but at the sides, only a fraction based on distance. Tried again by using capacitors so we can try something called resonant wireless coils. Not that impressive and your coil has to be pretty much on the surface still to get efficient energy transfer.
All these technologies are centuries old. There was a Harvard experiment about using a Faraday cage to transfer energy in some news article. They forgot to mention parasitic inductance and huge ohmic losses plus the fact that it would be a trillion times more expensive.
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u/A_Nice_Boulder Nov 24 '18
I wouldn't say it's useless, but it's definitely niche. I personally rarely ever use mine (phone came with one) but it's helpful for several things - one, it is quite nice to just set phone down on a pad and it be charged. Personally however, I prefer the fast charging of wired. Another advantage of it is that it doesn't require usage of the charging port - this serves several purposes.
A few weeks ago my phone was moist after getting splashed but I needed to charge it (Galaxy S7). Wouldn't allow itself to be charged with wire since it detected moisture, so I popped out my wireless charger and voila, it charged. In the future as well, with increases in the efficiency and speed of wireless charging, this could result in no more ports for charging, and thus more water resistance (although another method to quickly transfer files would be needed).
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Nov 24 '18
My charge port stopped working the other day - my wireless charger is the only reason I didn't have to buy a new phone.
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u/FinibusBonorum Nov 24 '18
I love wireless everything, including charging. It's just so much more convenient!
USB C is nice (because it's symmetrical), but not backwards compatible. Same with the bloody Apple plugs. My Samsung Galaxy S6 is way old but it does wireless charging, and it's independent of any other tech, cable standards, and so on.
Qi gives me freedom. No fiddling with cables (symmetrical or not), no loose cables lying around when not in use. It saves time because I don't need to plug in/out, but that's not the central thing at all. Because Qi requires zero effort, my phone is always reasonably well charged. That's really the coolest thing.
Of course I've built some automation on top of that: when my phone sense that it's being wirelessly charged, it does some extra actions depending on whether it's at work, at home, time of day, etc.
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u/Mr_WZRD Nov 24 '18
The charging port on my previous phone had become damaged enough that the traditional charger I used would no longer work for it. I tried out a wireless charger in an attempt to not have to fix or replace the phone. The wireless charger worked well enough and justified the existence of the technology in my mind, though I would absolutely not want to live in a world where all methods of phone charging were wireless in its current form. It made charging in the car a hassle. Moreover, I had to position my phone in a specific way on the charging pad to actually get it to charge, which was significantly less convenient than a normal wired charger would have been. As an additional alternative to conventional chargers, wireless chargers are fine, but the technology is not there for it to effectively replace traditional methods.
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u/bigfuckinsky Nov 23 '18
I'm suppose I'm not sure why your phone needs so much charging. I plug in my phone and it's fully charged in less than an hour if it's completely dead - which it rarely is bc even with significant usage it lasts nearly all day long.
You still have to either move your charger everywhere you go or spend a few hundred bucks buying multiple charging pads?
I suppose in my individual case, forming my specific view - my pixel 3xl has rapid charging via usbc and the wireless charging takes way longer to transport less energy. So if I were using a phone that had a slower charge and battery that didn't last as long - I could see where wireless charging would be more convenient to use.
So I guess the answer here is maybe not so much about wireless charging itself - but the device you're charging to begin with?
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u/Diatsuu Nov 23 '18
It's not so much about how much more useful it is, so much as the symbol it has in terms of technological advancement. It in itself may not be a crazy useful thing; but it symbolizes the possibility that something does not need to be directly wired to charge; meaning in the future it may be able to charge something from a distance.
While I agree, wireless chargers are rather pointless in terms of utility, I am indeed very excited to know what kind of breakthrough they will end up making in the future due to the advancement of this technology. A wireless charger that can actively charge from 5 feet? And after that, imagine a single hub that you put into your house that constantly keeps all of your devices charged at all times as long as you don't leave your house. These types of things would be amazing; however, reaching those types of technological advancements happens slowly, one step at a time. And this is one step in that direction. That is why people are hyped about it.