Original article by Rob
As the latest smartphone releases continue to impress us at e2save, we see several new innovations and trends which evolve the way we interact with our handsets. One standout feature for 2012 is the rise of Qi wireless charging in smartphones. What is it and how will wireless charging change the world?
How does Wireless Charging Work?
Many of the leading smartphones for 2012 adopt the Qi wireless charging method. Comprising of a charging pad and a compatible receiver within the smartphone, a charge is transferred across when planar coils from each device are within range.
As both coils need to be within 5-40mm range, the charging pad and smartphone will need to be touching to rejuice your batteries. Unfortunately for smartphone addicts, this means you still have to put your smartphone down for a few hours to get charged up! Science aside, laying your smartphone onto a charging station overnight or at your office desk sounds a lot cooler than plugging and unplugging everytime you reach for the dog and bone.
Which Smartphones use Qi Wireless Charging?
Recent releases from the Samsung Galaxy range such as the S3 and Galaxy Note 2 have Qi connectivity which means if you purchase a charging pad, you can wave goodbye to the wire!
In an attempt to take Qi wireless charging to the masses, the latest Windows Phone 8 handsets from Nokia come with a Qi wireless charger out of the box. As a bonus, these pads are available in a range of bright colours that shout the loud personality of the Lumia range. The Nokia Lumia 820 lets you truly take charge in style.
It’s not just the smartphones that are going wireless. Brightly coloured FatBoy pillowcases act as charging mats for your smartphone; perfect for putting your smartphone to bed to recharge its batteries! With a range of JBL PowerUp charging speakers also available, Qi fans can lay their smartphone on the speaker to top up their battery and wirelessly turn their favourite playlist up to 11! Expect to see more wireless accessories as Qi charging features in more handsets.
Advantages of Wireless Charging
From a manufacturer point of view, Qi wireless charging removes the need for a microUSB port on the handset. As the smartphones of 2012 are bursting with tech, space within the handset is valuable. If wireless charging your smartphone becomes the norm, expect manufacturers to remove microUSB ports entirely to make way for sleeker designs and free up room for larger batteries or more powerful chips.
For the consumer, wireless charging could make revitalising your phone on the go even easier. If you’re the type who visits coffee shops for a charge and a cappuccino, you’ll know how scarce mains sockets can be. If you hop over the Atlantic in the upcoming months, you may notice American coffee shops with wireless charging stations at every table. This is great news for those who want to energise themselves and their smartphone as they take on the day. The future of Qi wireless charging suggests that public spaces, airports and hotels will all deliver wireless charging facilities to help keep you energised on the go.
In summary, this is only the beginning for Qi wireless charging. If the manufacturers commit to this technology, we will be treated with prettier handsets without the need for tangled, cluttered wires. As an e2save prediction, expect to see more Qi compatible handsets on the market over the next few years.