Imagine charging all your devices without the worry of their wires and cables tangling with each other. Wireless charging, also known as inductive charging, delivers on that ideal clutter-free scenario via charging pads. Just put a device on top of them and the charging begins. But as good as it sounds, there’s always a catch. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of charging wirelessly.
Advantages of Wireless Charging
No clutter
The technology’s name speaks for itself; you no longer have to worry of long, tangling power cords.
No risks of shock
There are no exposed connections when it comes to wireless charging, leading to fewer incidents of electric shocks.
Durability
The lack of wires to plug and unplug eliminates wear and tear on your device’s charging port.
Disadvantages of Wireless Charging
Lower efficiency
Wireless charging is not as efficient as its wired counterpart, which means it takes longer to bring a device back to full charge.
More expensive
Like many new technologies for consumers, adding wireless charge capability to your device is relatively costly. For instance, current Samsung smartphones require special back covers to enable wireless charging, while other smartphones require some special accessories too. The charging pads themselves are expensive.
Very limited mobility
Current wireless charging technologies require the device to be in direct contact with the charging pad for charging to happen, whereas a plugged device can be moved around and used within its wire’s length.
Limited compatibility
A number of technologies are currently vying to be the standard for wireless charging. A charging pad that works on one particular smartphone may not work with another.
Although charging wirelessly has been around for a while now, it has yet to harness its full potential. But as years go by, the technology is making significant development. It will someday eliminate its drawbacks versus wired charging and become the mainstream option to power up mobile devices.