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Here's a Look at Discounted and Upcoming Qi Charging Pads for iPhone 8 and iPhone X
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Am I the only one who thinks this tech is way overhyped? I’ve never once felt like I was missing wireless charging. The only place I can see it being useful is in the car or on my night stand.
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Apple on Tuesday announced the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X, all of which will launch with inductive wireless charging support on Qi-compatible accessories. Since Apple's first-party "AirPower" mat won't be available to buy until 2018, new iPhone owners will be left to sift through the current market of Qi-compatible wireless charging pads, which is pretty large.
For this reason, we've rounded up a few Qi accessories that are currently discounted and that should work with the iPhone 8 and iPhone X, most hitting below the $30 range. We've also included a few Qi charging pads that are confirmed iPhone 8/X compatible that accessory makers like Belkin and Mophie announced this week alongside Apple's big unveiling of each smartphone. Since virtually any Qi-supported charging pad should work with the new iPhones, buying decisions will come down to personal preferences of design, size, and color.
Qi Chargers Under $60
[*]Choetech T511 7.5W Qi Wireless Charging Pad - $12.99 on Amazon, down from $20.00
Choetech's T511 charging pad comes in blue and black, and includes a battery light indicator on the front side of the device to confirm that the inductive wireless charging connection has been made with the smartphone. The small pad measures at 3.6 inches on all sides, and is one of the most popular and inexpensive Qi pads currently on Amazon. The downside is that it doesn't come with a micro-USB cable, which you'll need to connect the pad to a wall outlet or USB port, priced at about $5-$10 on Amazon.
[*]Aukey Qi Wireless Charger - $14.99 on Amazon, down from $19.99
Aukey's wireless charger is slightly smaller than Choetech's with a 3.4-inch diameter across its circular footprint. It has a flashing LED to indicate when the smartphone sitting atop it is charging, and the USB power cable is included.
[*]Anker Fast Wireless Charger Charging Pad - $19.99 on Amazon, down from $69.99
Anker's fast charging pad delivers 10 watts of power to smartphones, but will likely function like other 7.5W mats when used with the iPhone 8 and iPhone X, since those devices are believed to reach only half (7.5W) of current Qi standards (15W). Anker's solution has non-disruptive LEDs surrounding the pad to indicate the smartphone's charge, a non-slip pad, and measures 3.4 inches on all sides.
[*]Samsung Qi Wireless Charging Pad - $29.99 at B&H Photo, down from $39.99
Samsung even has a few Qi-compatible charing accessory options that should work with iPhone 8 and iPhone X, including a Fast Wireless Charging Pad (again note such fast charging features will be incompatible with iPhone devices). This one is available in black sapphire and white, includes an LED indicator halo, and is slightly more elevated in comparison to other Qi mats. You can find the same Samsung accessory for nearly 50 percent off from select Walmart resellers, as well.
[*]Incipio Ghost QI 3-Coil and Ghost Qi 15W Wireless Charging Bases - $59.99
Incipio has quite a few Qi chargers, two of which it lists as iPhone-compatible options: the Ghost Qi 3-Coil base and Ghost Qi 15W base. Both are priced at $59.99, with the standout differences related to the design and shape of each base. The 3-Coil is a rectangle measuring 5.37 inches by 2.73 inches, while the 15W is a simple 3.5-inch square. Both come in black, have the usual LED indicator lights, and provide audio cues when the charging begins and ends.
Upcoming Qi Chargers
[*]Belkin BOOST UP Wireless Charging Pad - $59.99
Opening for orders this Friday, September 15, Belkin's BOOST UP Wireless Charging Pad has been specifically designed for the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X. Belkin said it worked closely with Apple when designing and optimizing the pad, and it'll provide charge to the iPhone through "most lightweight cases" up to 3mm thick. The 7.5W pad has a battery indicator LED, non-slip surface, and AC adapter included. Belkin's accessory will be sold on Apple.com and in Apple stores as well.
[*]Mophie Wireless Charging Base - $59.99
Mophie was directly mentioned during Apple's keynote as an accessory maker coming out with support for the iPhone 8 and X's wireless charging features, with a device called the Mophie Wireless Charging Base. A pre-order date has not yet been confirmed, but we do know Mophie's solution provides the expected 7.5W of power to an iPhone when placed on its small, circular, and rubberized base. It'll also be available from Apple.
If you want to buy a Mophie Qi charging pad right now, the company's Charge Force Wireless Charging Base is a universal Qi solution with noted support for the upcoming iPhones, priced at $39.95 from B&H Photo.
[*]Griffin PowerBlock Wireless Charging Pad - $69.99
Griffin's upcoming PowerBlock Wireless Qi Charging Pad provides 15W of power to compatible Qi devices when placed on its synthetic wool surface. Griffin notes compatibility with all of the new iPhones, but no release date has been confirmed.
[*]RavPower Wireless Charging Pad - $49.99
RavPower has revealed a new Qi charging pad, confirming compatibility with Apple devices and coming sometime this fall. RavPower's base is a bit unique in comparison with other companies since it can both sit flat on a surface, or act as a sort of iPhone dock with an angled stand. The accessory maker said the product will be available in either a standalone charging pad or pad + stand bundle.
Public Qi Chargers
There will be multiple options for wirelessly charging your iPhone when you're out and about in public spaces, thanks to the confirmation of Apple support from a few inductive wireless charging companies. One is Aircharge, which confirmed that iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X owners will be able to use the company's own app to locate nearby public Aircharge locations, which amount to 5,000 around the world. These are in restaurants, cafes, shops, hotels, airports, and train stations.
Powermat made a similar announcement this week, confirming that owners of the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X will be able to charge their smartphones on Powermats "around the world." Powermat locations support the Qi standard, and the company has a supported app so users can discover where the closest pad is to their location, including places like Starbucks and Samsung stores.
AirPower
Of course, Apple's own first-party solution for your home will arrive sometime next year. Apple's mat, unlike the ones mentioned above, will be able to support as many as three Qi devices, and Apple has shown an iPhone, Apple Watch Series 3, and AirPods all charging at once on AirPower. When one device is placed next to the iPhone X (or 8/8 Plus), they alert the iPhone, which displays a notification message on the lock screen confirming the presence of the Apple Watch/AirPods along with the battery level.
Although unconfirmed by Apple, Macworld has reported that all previous generations of the Apple Watch will work on AirPower, including Series 2 and Series 0 devices.
For more information on prices for current and upcoming Qi inductive wireless chargers -- which includes bedside tables and lamps from IKEA -- check out the MacRumors Deals Roundup.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of the these vendors.
Article Link: Here's a Look at Discounted and Upcoming Qi Charging Pads for iPhone 8 and iPhone X
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That's 'AirPower Pro', coming at a later date and probably the second charging pad you'll be purchasing from Apple.
I really hope they'll make a wireless charging Apple Pencil!
Because you get all those LEDs flashing up then - perfect at night when your phone is sitting on the charging mat that takes up all the space on your bedside table.
Never understood the benefit of wireless charging. It's cool, I guess. But isn't it just as easy to plug your phone into a charger? I mean at the end of the day the wireless charger still has to be plugged in somewhere. Even if you can get a fully wireless doc, you still need to put it on a flat service and in most instances when I need to charge on the go, I'm not going to have a table nearby to put my phone on. So what real benefit is there to wireless charging - other than the cool factor?
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that actually IS a compelling reason why wireless charging is better. Those lightening cables are CRAP. I have gone through so many of those stupid things.
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that actually IS a compelling reason why wireless charging is better. Those lightening cables are CRAP. I have gone through so many of those stupid things.
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The point is the iPad doesn't have wireless charging so this means Apple will have to change the design with a front and back glass design like iPhone 8.
Oh..crap...I just realized something. If Apple's iPhone X is $1,000 with the Face ID features, how much would the iPad cost if it had that same technology and notch?
So when these iPhones start bursting into flames are they still going to be able to blame the villainous "Third Party Chargers"?
That's about it as far as I can tell. I ordered two of the Belkin's - one for home and one for work. If I'm at work and pick up my phone a few times an hour I can just set it back down on the pad without having to plug it in. First world problems for sure but just a tad more convenient. As it is now I don't even bother to plug my phone in when I'm at work.
Didn't know the Belkin's might be getting quick charge, hopefully that's true, glad I didn't spend another $70 or whatever to get the QC adaptor.
Also, if you're reading the original article don't go by price alone. Some of the cheaper chargers recommend you remove your case before charging (not sure if you HAVE to) and at least one didn't come with the power cable. The Belkin advertises you can charge it with a case on.
That would be even better if you could just put your pencil on the back of your iPhone/iPad to charge it on the go.
Only that is an accident waiting to happen every time I do that, and it would be cool to have an eraser on the back of the pencil instead of lightning. Laying a pencil on a table is really the most natural thing ever, if it would charge while doing it- great.
I'm up and down at my desk at work all day. Sometimes I plug my phone into the charger, other times I don't because it's a hassle plugging it in and out so often. If I can just plop it on the mat and then grab it when I go, I'll likely charge it much more often.
At home I'll likely stick to wired (to your point.)
No, it's still rubbish.
But I said years ago, the only benefit I can see to is if it's built in (invisibly I might add) to the centre console of a car - thats when it makes a bit of sense, you can just place your phone in there when you get in and drive off.
At home i'll almost always use the faster option of a cable. *If* 80% of the surfaces in my home could do it, eg I could place it anywhere on my desk, or bedside table, or kitchen work tops, then it would be cool - but again it would need to be built into these things invisibly and actually look like wireless charging.
But buying a mat with a cable coming out the back of it and then putting a phone on that mat, no, that's still stupid.
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It does now - a USB-C charger!
my car has a qi charger mat but it is at the lower console. I use Waze for navigation over my car so it is useless
Some people here suggested that using higher capacity chargers could be damaging to the batteries on the long run, hence Apple still ships iPhones with 5W chargers? I still use a 12W charger for everything, as they are advertised as compatible with any iPhone from 5 onwards.
Some people here talk utter nonsense and don't understand battery technology at all.
The 29 Watt charger sure beats the 12 on an iPad Pro
There is a third benefit and it may be the most important: standardization. Qi pads in public places, public transportation, hotels, and restaurants will go a long way towards overcoming the limitations of battery technology. This would be a huge improvement over the mishmash of nonstandard cables and chargers that can be damaged or removed, often cost as much as a Qi pad anyway, the use of which still requires access to an outlet whose high voltage design does not lend itself to installation in phone-convenient places.
I struggle with the fact that the phone ecosystem is converging on Qi but it is spawning another wired ecosystem that may not be solvable with Qi: Bluetooth headphones. Still need to lug around a damn charger and cable.