iPhone X Wireless Charging... I don’t get it!!

[dezza85]

So... Wireless Charging...

When I say I don’t get itv, I don’t mean I don’t understand the science, I just don’t understand why everyone gets so excited about it!

I mean it’s not really wireless is it... I’m just resting my phone on a pad that is connected to the socket via a wire. Surely this just adds complications and cost???

At the moment I plug my phone into charge, whether it be at home, at work or in the car. I use an inexpensive cable that whilst wear out, do last a good 6-12 months. Whilst charging I can pick my phone up, answer calls (not just on speaker) and even put the phone in what ever draw, cupboard or cup holder the cable will reach. I can play games whilst charging and even rest my phone against the side to watch a video or tv.

With wireless charging it appears to me that whilst your phone is charging, which let’s face it is essential for watching a tv show, FaceTime call or to survive daily duty, your phone is fixed to its wireless pad. If I take it off the wireless pad it stops, meaning I’ll just be draining more battery. If my phone rings I can only keep it charging by using earphones or speakerphone.

I confuses me the way that so many people lost their **** when the old school 3.5mm headphone jack was removed, even when Apple supplied the adaptor in the box to continue using your headphones or you can use a tried and tested Bluetooth system (my personal preference). I haven’t used the headphone jack in years and if I’m honest only caused an area of vulnerability for dust and water.

If wireless charging takes over and the lightening plug is removed we are left with a phone that when charging can’t be picked up! We are left having to carry round expensive wireless pads that are heavier, bulkier than a simple lightening cable and really quite awkward.

Thoughts?

 

[Steve121178]

Convenience

 

[hobsgrg]

Wireless charging is ideal for overnight charging, just place the phone on the stand and that is it. No messing around with plugging anything in, very convenient.

I only charge my phone overnight and wireless charging is very convenient for that.

 

[Krabba]

Yep, overnight is the main reason I love wireless charging. Simply placing the phone on the pad/stand is far more convenient than searching for the cable and plugging it in, often in low/no light. I also have a charging stand for my desk which works wonderfully during the day when I’m sitting working at my computer. My car solution is convenient too as I simply get in, place the phone in the cradle and it starts charging. Nothing to remember to plug/unplug on entry/exit.

Agreed however on completely removing the charging port whether that be Lightning or USB-C. This is something I don’t believe Apple will do until true wireless charging technology (i.e. walk into a room with a base and your phone begins charging) is mainstream.

 

[keysofanxiety]

Wireless charging is a convenience. But it's very easy at work. Put the phone on the pad. Take it off when you need to use it. No plugging and unplugging a cable each time. It's just far, far easier.

 

[Ralfi]

Not sure how old you are, but if you use a wireless kettle with a powered base, then it's the same principle.

Not too difficult to understand in that respect.

 

[Phil A.]

I've got a wireless charging cradle on my desk, so when I'm not using my phone I just stand it there and it keeps it charged.

When I want to use it, I just pick it up and use it, and when I've finished I put it back on the cradle

Basically, with wireless charging, I never have to think about charging my phone because it happens as soon as I put it down when I've finished using it

 

[MacDawg]

My phone isn't in constant use all day long, and I don't struggle to survive the day with a charge
So it is very convenient at home or work to just drop it on the pad when I am not using it
That way it is always fully charged when I need it

But, you do have the option to plug and unplug all day if you want to, or hover near an outlet to be plugged in when making a call, playing a game or whatever else
My use case is just vastly different from your's so wireless charging is great for me

 

[blairh]

I can't imagine not going back after using wireless charging. It's so much easier to plop down my iPhone throughout the day on my desk while working versus having to keep plug it in over and over again.

 

[dezza85]

Not sure how old you are, but if you use a wireless kettle with a powered base, then it's the same principle.

Not too difficult to understand in that respect.

I get its the same principle as a wireless kettle but then you turn a kettle on it heats and then you can move it off the base to fill the cup. It's not like your trying to pour the water from the kettle whilst still wanting it to boil.

Also you only use a kettle in its one place, you don't go to a friends and take the kettle and base, well at least I don't ha ha

 

[Ralfi]

It's not like your trying to pour the water from the kettle whilst still wanting it to boil.

Nah, you're just placing it on there to boil, instead of plugging a wire into it every time you want it to boil.

Also you only use a kettle in its one place, you don't go to a friends and take the kettle and base

Wireless chargers, as people have mentioned, are handy for overnight charging. As a stand, on a bedside table, is where i'll plan to set one up.

Also, if your car supports it, they'll be useful there too.

Convenience is their forte.

 

[akash.nu]

I completely agree with you OP. Wireless charging is way too overhyped. Having said that, I keep one on my work desk and I just rest my phone on it while not using and pick it up when going for a meeting or going away from my desk with my phone being always topped up while not in use.

The best use case is for people who don’t drain their battery down to the last point and needs immediate charge to keep going for the rest of the day. It’s for that casual top up situation where you can just drop it on a charging pad / stand that charges the device while you’re not using it and on top you don’t need to fiddle around with cables.

 

[Southern Dad]

Wireless charging is now being built into vehicles, desks, and countertops. Just place your iPhone X in the cubby in the car and it’s charging. At work, I have a wireless charging pad on my desk. I can place my iPhone on it or an Android device. Just set it down and pick it up.

 

[DevinNj]

Wireless charging pad: Amazon deal of the day $8.99. Not having to fumble in my dark bedroom at night to plug my phone in.... PRICELESS...

 

[rugmankc]

I don't use wireless charging. Most of them are too big a footprint for me.

However, I would think it would allow for much less wear and tear on the plug and jack.

 

[boast]

I use wireless charging at my work desk. Every time someone calls me over, or I go to the bathroom or head to a meeting, just picking up and putting down my phone is much better than unplugging and reaching for the cable to plug it back in.

 

[spacemnspiff]

One of the primary reasons that for me works against wireless charging is the extra heat that it generates while transmitting power through the inductive coils, this is above the heat generated in the battery during charging, especially fast charging.

And we know that heat is not a friend of Li-ion batteries, since the operating temperature range of batteries hasn't changed much in the last few years, I am thinking fast charging and inductive charging is at a detriment to the life of the battery. Battery will lose capacity faster over the life span of a phone.

 

[JPack]

Wireless charging complements wired charging. It's not intended to replace it.

For situations such as charging with a power bank, users aren't able to use the phone without looking ridiculous.

Similar to fast charging, wireless charging introduces additional heat which can negatively affect battery health. It's a byproduct in exchange for more convenience.

 

[bigjnyc]

another vote for overnight charging. My phone always gets me through the whole day without needing a charge... At night when I go to sleep I just lay it on the charging pad. I do see your point though the convenience of laying it down on a pad versus plugging in a wire is not earth shattering (unless you are fumbling in the dark for the lightning port) But its one of those things thats available on the new phones and the chargers are relatively cheap so I use it.

For traveling it is cumbersome to pack a wireless charging pad as opposed to a simple lightning cable.. I do agree with you on that one.

 

[Freakonomics101]

Mine is a dock. I set it on there, it charges and I can also meditate before sleep. Because of how it sits, the audio echos from the bottom. I usually AirPlay the stuff but from time to time I will do it this way. It’s not just convenience for me. It’s also useful/beneficial.

 

[Shadowbech]

It's more of a convenience. Technically the actual term is "Inductive Charging" If it was a true wireless charging, it would mean your phone is just about anywhere in your house and charge without having it connected to a source at all.

 

[44267547]

For the time being, wireless charging is *secondary*, not the primary. I think its leading towards becoming more predominant, but its an added cost of someone wants it, which charging through a wire is still the primary and will be for years to come, rather it be lighting and USB-C. Wireless charging is nice to have, but not absolutely necessary either at this point in time.

 

[akash.nu]

For the time being, wireless charging is *secondary*, not the primary. I think its leading towards becoming more predominant, but its an added cost of someone wants it, which charging through a wire is still the primary and will be for years to come, rather it be lighting and USB-C. Wireless charging is nice to have, but not absolutely necessary either at this point in time.

I feel Apple will probably move to USB C soon.

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-...ning-cable-usb-c-european-union-a8483206.html

 

[cbreze]

I see the convenience of it but don’t feel the need personally. A once a day charge is all I’ve ever needed and over nite works fine using the jack. Never broke a jack yet. Doubt I’ll switch up till it’s mandatory.

 

[Small White Car]

I used to have a cord on my desk at work and I'd usually leave work with a 50% battery.

Now I have a charging pad and I usually leave work with a 100% battery.

It's that simple.