Wireless charging has pros and cons

The stress level of an average smartphone owner rises proportionately as the battery level decreases. We’ve all experienced it: running out of battery power and the desperate quest for a power outlet. Or: cursing because you’ve forgotten to bring along the power cable. Isn't it practical in such cases to be able to place your device on a charging pad while enjoying a coffee break and then continuing on a little while later with a charged up battery?

Of course a power outlet is needed for wireless charging as well. The charging station draws its power from the electrical grid. Wireless charging is slower than charging with a cable. By using a wireless charger, your device may heat up more quickly, which can in the long run be disadvantageous to the battery’s life span.

And so you have to be careful when using charging stations. The quality can vary, and some of the charging stations on the market could damage your phone. Always check that the charging station is ‘Qi Certified’ and bears the Qi logo. Cheaper stations sometimes say ‘Works with Qi’ or ‘Qi compatible’, but that is not the same thing. ‘Qi’ is the standard for energy transfer from low capacity over a distance of up to 4 centimetres.