Is wireless smartphone charging worth the hype?

The big advantage of “cordless” charging is that you dont run the risk of damaging the cover over the charging socket or the socket itself.
This is especially important with the waterproof phones like the Samsung S5.
It is also quick and easy to give your phone a quick top up, just pick it up if you need to use it !
With the S6 having wireless charging built in , I would expect to see even more 3rd party charging pads around IKEA were rumoured to be going to offer them built into desks !

This type of charging system is a standard feature of most electric toothbrushes.

Arguably, it is should really be called “contact-less” charging or “induction” charging because there are still wires going to the pad but there are no cable and socket contacts to fail over time.

I see the Garmin Vivoactive Watch has a “magnetic cradle” for charging which is possibly marketing talk for induction charging. The advantages of having common mats on which you can charge several small items and from different manufacturers would seem a good idea.

Incidentally the Garmin only needs charging weekly rather than daily which brings up the subject of lifespan of tiny batteries and frequency of charging. Do mats lengthen or shorten the lifespan or are they neutral compared to cable charging.

Here is an alternative approach that would suit anyone who wants to be able to charge their phone while away from a power source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAM9-glUVIE

untold me pita breads,, stick wid da cable sid,, u get me,, bigging it up 2da max me breadgwins style!

I have a Nokia Lumia phone which has had a wireless charger for quite some time now so they are not new. For me it is no more or less convenient than a conventional charger. It is slower to charge though. As it was free and I also got a standard charger I was not bothered but would not buy one as an extra.

There’s nothing new in this, I have an ancient (by smartphone standards) Nokia Lumia which came with pad charging built in. If you know where you are likely to be and have pre-positioned pads for instance on the bedside table, in the back of the dashboard clamp and on your desk they can be very useful. No fumbling with a cord and no phone going out of commission because the USB socket gets damaged by wrenching or a piece of pocket debris being jammed inside.

My main phone finds itself on trickle charge most of the time so there is neither need nor temptation to use it whilst physically ‘plugged in’.

For me it’s advantageous but for many it might not be. Having got the strategically placed pads I’ll certainly look for a phone with this facility next time around.

Also had various Nokia Lumia devices for several years. The last two models I’ve owned have both supported wireless charging. While true that it is more hardware being used (Plug/Lead/Charging Pad), I think its working really well, especially when you consider the options for other products having wireless charging outputs.

I bought a bedside alarm clock with a wireless charging pad built in and it’s great! I go to bed, pop the phone on the top and it’s off & charging…. Also, the alarm clock has Bluetooth connectivity so I can play music at the same time. The options for compatible devices is endless.

I also got a “mobile” wireless charger with my initial bundle too which lets me charge up the pad and then take it with me for a ‘top-up’ if I’m getting low on juice during the day, wherever I am. Very handy indeed.

Verdict: Yes, more bulk but works for me and opens up a lot more charging opportunities in the future.

It saves the USB port and charges just by putting it down in a specific place, what’s not to like.

Looking at Nexus 4 sitting on induction (wireless) charger run (USB) from the computer I’m typing this on.

Place on desktop charger when I sit at computer and it does its stuff. Faster if plugged in to its own charger – but I’m not in any rush. Easier than finding its own charger and less likely to break connector.

If the phone has this fetaure then fine; if not I wouldn’t worry.

I upgraded my Samsung Note 3 to wireless charging about a year ago and haven’t looked back.
I leave the charger pad on the bedside table and just put my phone on it last thing at night and its fully charged in the morning. No plugs to fiddle with or sockets to damage.
I am thinking of getting another charging pad for my desk so my phone can be charging whilst I am working on my computer.
Can’t find a downside to wireless charging – I think all phones should be built with this as an option.
I also recommend having a spare battery with an independent charger – I can switch batteries easily if necessary.
If the technology is available – I say make the best use of it! I have been doing so since I bought a Commodore 64 – anyone old enough to remember those days?

i purchased one from ebay for my samsung galaxy s3, worked fine but one had to ensure it was more central,and it was easy to knock off or dislodge, after a while i noticed it was not charging as well, so i replaced the battery and after a while the unit stopped charging completly, anyhow one get what one buys from china, i expect 90% of our tech eventualy comes from china but with a nice company label slapped on it, i had a look at the ikea types chargers i expect they will be fine if your phone is preset to charge, but if not the induction gadget you need to attach to your present phone looked bulky and out of place on the phone, my view its expensive, but if it make life easier for you go ahead, but there nothing wrong with a stand except that awkward part when you need the phone now!