One phone made me realize I don't need wireless charging

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Are we giving too much importance to wireless charging?

iOttie iON Wireless Duo wireless charging stand
(Image credit: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)
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Wireless charging has been around for a while now, but it varies vastly between brands and products. The number of Android phones that support the feature as a whole has multiplied greatly. Samsung and Google phones usually offer very low wireless charging speeds, whereas brands like OnePlus, Xiaomi, and OPPO push the very boundaries of what can and cannot be achieved wirelessly speaking.

For years, heck, maybe even since the inception of wireless charging, we tech journos, bloggers, and reviewers have been guilty of writing off the lack of the feature as a glaring con. Any time a flagship device does not have wireless charging capabilities, we write this down as a major disadvantage of the device, but maybe it's time we adjust that thinking.

And it's not just phones that glorify wireless charging. Everything from wireless earbuds to Bluetooth speakers and power banks have ditched wires to charge and recharge these days.

Anker Prime power banks

(Image credit: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)

As a person who tests phones and accessories for a living, I love weighing out the pros and cons in terms of features and specs of devices. It makes it incredibly easy to weigh out the benefits and drawbacks of things you're looking to buy but aren't sure which exact model to go with.

Unfortunately, this can also be a problematic way to make decisions at times when we end up giving way too much importance to selective features as opposed to the overall value or price.

When it comes to Android phones, the basics that we compare and contrast include a general list of the main specs to pit against other options. Here's a rundown of those things in general:

  • Price
  • Display
  • Processor
  • Memory
  • Battery
  • Charging
  • Camera
  • Software updates

Arguably, everything else is secondary to these primary specs. Oftentimes, the best flagship phones have cutting-edge internals and there's a fine line between your top contenders. That's when you start to look at the other factors in play, and that includes wireless charging.

Taking a look at the Google Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, and Pixel Watch at the Google Fall 2022 event

(Image credit: Android Central)

I myself have always prioritized wireless charging and don't hold back my criticism when a top-of-the-line phone or accessory doesn't support it. Recently, however, I have started to question my priorities.

Having used Google and Samsung phones as my primary mobile devices for the last few years, I became pretty used to having wireless charging support. I switched over to a OnePlus 12R as my main device a few months back and it completely changed my perspective on the matter.

When I switched from a high-end Samsung Galaxy to a budget OnePlus device, I had many anxious thoughts. And I'll be honest: I judged the OnePlus 12R pretty hard for not having wireless charging capabilities. I was so worried that I would be missing out on a big feature that I had become so used to.

But as I got accustomed to my new primary phone, I began to realize my fears were completely misguided. Since the 12R has such an incredible battery life and boasts a mighty 100W SUPERVOOC charging speed, I hardly need to charge it more than once in two days. Equipped with such spectacular battery and charging specs, I eventually forgot about my dependency on wireless charging.

This also gave me insight into the value of wireless charging. If your phone lasts long enough, you don't need to place it on a wireless charger to keep it topped off throughout the day. Cables or no cables, charging isn't the most important chore for me anymore.

What I have always loved about wireless charging was the fact that I don't need to fumble around with cables as much. But when you're not really charging your phone as often, plugging it in to recharge isn't such a big deal anymore.

OnePlus 12R review

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

Honestly, the OnePlus 12R made me realize that I can live without wireless charging. This is now making me question whether we even really need it in our lives. Maybe we have lost the plot and placed too much value on wireless charging as a feature.

Perhaps it makes sense when you've got a stunningly fast 50W or 60W wireless charging speed or higher, but you top out at 15W to 25W with most flagships from Samsung and Google. In that case, I now think that it's better to have a faster wired charging speed as opposed to a measly and inefficient wireless charging speed.

I was very curious about the demand for wireless charging and whether average citizens seek it out as much. I reached out to Anker, one of the largest charging accessory brands in the world, to inquire about the demand for wireless chargers as a reflection of this. The brand's answers weren't surprising.

According to Anker, the growth rate of wireless chargers is faster compared to regular old wired chargers.

According to Anker, the growth rate of wireless chargers is faster compared to regular old wired chargers. The growth rate of the entire wireless market in 2023 went up by more than 80% compared to 2022. The Chinese company went on to comment on the increased demand for MagSafe wireless chargers in particular.

"Anker wireless has achieved remarkable results in the market. Our multiple magnetic wireless charging products have entered the top ten of the 'Best Seller' list in Amazon and are among the best-selling wireless chargers for mobile phones, including the Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Charging Station and MagGo Wireless Foldable Charging Station. Among them, the MagGo Wireless Foldable Charging Station is the only product in the top ten of the best-selling list with a price above $100."

Anker MagGo Power Bank (6.6K)

(Image credit: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)

This isn't surprising, seeing as how more and more devices now support wireless charging. Factor in MagSafe and Qi2 being on the horizon, and you can see why more and more people want to ditch cables. It's just easier to plop on a magnetic wireless charger and go about your day. However, it's still not the fastest or most efficient way to recharge your phones and accessories.

At the end of the day, I remain firm in my newfound belief that wireless charging should not be over-prioritized as a feature. Sure, it's a nice spec to have and it's convenient. But it's not very useful if it's not blazing fast or up to par with a phone's wired charging capabilities.

We can hype wireless charging, but only if it's miraculously fast and beating current wired charging speeds. Xiaomi, OPPO, and OnePlus have proven to us that this is easily possible. But if popular brands like Samsung and Google continue giving us expensive flagships with stupidly slow 15W wireless charging speeds, it's a dumb feature to have. At that point, it's hardly even a feature. It's basically just an on-paper spec that saves the brand's face.

Be honest, what would you rather have: A phone with 100W or higher wired USB-C charging that takes about 20 minutes to go from zero to a hundred percent, or a device with so-so 45W wired charging and a snail's pace 15W wireless charging speed?

Namerah Saud Fatmi
Namerah Saud Fatmi
Senior Editor — Accessories

Namerah enjoys geeking out over accessories, gadgets, and all sorts of smart tech. She spends her time guzzling coffee, writing, casual gaming, and cuddling with her furry best friends. Find her on Twitter @NamerahS.

17 Comments Comment from the forums
  • AD29
    In all honesty, I'd still rather the wireless charging. I have a S23 Ultra that lasts the full day, so I never need to charge in a hurry. For me wireless brings convenience to not have to fumble with a cable. Example 1, My bedtime routine is to scroll in my phone until I'm near asleep. At that point I just want to slap it on a wireless charger with one hand and not worry about using both to plug in. Example 2 is in my car where I don't want to use both hands to plug in or take my eyes off if the road to charge. I just plop my phone in the wireless spot without even looking. Example 3 is when I'm using my phone in the water and want to charge later. Wireless charging ensures I don't fry something with moisture still in the port.
    Reply
  • Mooncatt
    This was never a needed feature. Considering how inefficient and slow it is, I never understood why anyone thought they did.
    Reply
  • wmblalock86
    I have the complete opposite opinion of this article.

    I've always loved OnePlus phones, but have refused to buy them because the affordable models don't have wireless charging, and some don't have proper waterproofing.

    There are 5 reasons that I refuse to buy a phone without wireless charging:

    1. Wirelessly charging eliminates the risk of wearing out or breaking your USB port.
    2. Wireless charging gives you a secondary charging option if your USB port gets damaged. Without it, your phone becomes a brick should anything happen to the USB port.
    3. At night, it's much easier to throw the phone on a wireless charger, and no risk of accidentally grabbing your phone and yanking on the port/cable that you forgot was plugged in.
    4. Slow charging your battery is better for it's longevity, as such, slower wireless charging is much healthier for your battery.
    5. It costs next to nothing for manufactures to include wireless charging. With the cost of phones, even budget phones, there is no excuse for not including it. Charge me the extra dollar it costs and add the feature.
    Reply
  • wmblalock86
    Mooncatt said:
    This was never a needed feature. Considering how inefficient and slow it is, I never understood why anyone thought they did.

    As a repair technician who sees broken and worn USB ports every day that renders phones useless, I believe wireless charging is very important. It gives you a secondary way to charge your phone if the port is damaged, and it greatly reduces the chances of a damaged USB port. Slower charging is healthier for your battery anyway... Who cares about the speed if you just toss it on the charger before bed?
    Reply
  • Mooncatt
    wmblalock86 said:
    As a repair technician who sees broken and worn USB ports every day that renders phones useless, I believe wireless charging is very important. It gives you a secondary way to charge your phone if the port is damaged, and it greatly reduces the chances of a damaged USB port. Slower charging is healthier for your battery anyway... Who cares about the speed if you just toss it on the charger before bed?

    I'd be curious to know the cause of those port failures and the ratio of those to phone sales in general. With millions of phones in use, problems are bound to pop up. Since you work in a repair shop, you're going to see a disproportionate amount of problems related to any number of things. No one brings you a healthy phone.

    My first smartphone was the LG Optimus S, so we are talking over a decade of smartphone use and I keep my phones longer than the average person (basically until it breaks or performance can no longer keep up with software demands). I now have two teens with phones that have been in use for a few years, plus my wife and her phones. In all that time and many phones, only once did the USB port become a problem, and that was due to a design flaw of the port itself. So I question just how prevalent that sort of failure is in the grand scheme of things, short of people abusing their phones. It's the USB cables that are the weak link when it comes to reliability.

    Yes, slower charging is better for battery health, but only to a point. With large batteries, the trickle charge you get from a wireless charger isn't helping anything. It does generate more heat, which can make for an argument of hurting the battery.

    And to your other point about charging overnight, I don't do it and don't recommend it. At least not unless your phone has specific programming to limit the charging. Most phones don't have that function and will run full speed ahead right up to 100%, and then hold it there the rest of the night. Keeping them at a full charge can cause battery degradation. Charging also has a slight increased risk of causing a fire, so I still wouldn't recommend overnight charging even with a phone that is programmed to allow it.
    Reply
  • wmblalock86
    Mooncatt said:
    I'd be curious to know the cause of those port failures and the ratio of those to phone sales in general. With millions of phones in use, problems are bound to pop up. Since you work in a repair shop, you're going to see a disproportionate amount of problems related to any number of things. No one brings you a healthy phone.

    My first smartphone was the LG Optimus S, so we are talking over a decade of smartphone use and I keep my phones longer than the average person (basically until it breaks or performance can no longer keep up with software demands). I now have two teens with phones that have been in use for a few years, plus my wife and her phones. In all that time and many phones, only once did the USB port become a problem, and that was due to a design flaw of the port itself. So I question just how prevalent that sort of failure is in the grand scheme of things, short of people abusing their phones. It's the USB cables that are the weak link when it comes to reliability.

    Yes, slower charging is better for battery health, but only to a point. With large batteries, the trickle charge you get from a wireless charger isn't helping anything. It does generate more heat, which can make for an argument of hurting the battery.

    And to your other point about charging overnight, I don't do it and don't recommend it. At least not unless your phone has specific programming to limit the charging. Most phones don't have that function and will run full speed ahead right up to 100%, and then hold it there the rest of the night. Keeping them at a full charge can cause battery degradation. Charging also has a slight increased risk of causing a fire, so I still wouldn't recommend overnight charging even with a phone that is programmed to allow it.

    I mainly fix computers, phones occasionally. Phone repair really isn't my cup of tea. Statistics of broken ports would be interesting to see for sure. But being in the tech industry for 25 years, I can say that charging ports, and fragile screens, are very likely the weakest point of any mobile electronic device. Having 3 kids, and a large group of family and friends, I can't tell you how many devices I've personally seen, even outside of work with broken ports.

    A lot of ports are damaged by dirt and debris from our pockets packing in the ports, further compacted in there when you insert your cable. Yes, I'd say most broken ports are from neglect or damage caused by the user, but what does that matter? It furthers my point that wireless is a more durable option that can prevent a lot of headache for a lot of people. Sure, mindful people like you and I take better care of our equipment so it's less likely to fail, but I'd argue that the majority of phone users, especially younger ones, do not. Wired charging will never be as durable as wireless. Why do high end phones include water resistance.... Because people don't always take the absolute best care of their devices. Durability matters.

    The only wireless chargers I've ever had generate noticable heat were the quick charge wireless chargers. I prefer slower wireless charging, so mine don't generate much, if any, heat. But heat generation is not an argument specific to wireless charging... All fast charging phones, wired or wireless, generate heat while charging. The faster a device charges, the more heat it generates, regardless of how you're changing it. Heat generation is not an issue specific to wireless charging.

    As for overcharging the battery, the issue is the same for wired and wireless charging, so again, not a valid argument against wireless charging, moreso charging habits and understanding how your phone manages charging.

    Overnight charging, same thing, not an argument against wireless charging, as it's the same situation regardless of how you charge your phone. That being said, most modern phones have negated this overcharging issue to some degree with adaptive charging baked into the software. My Samsung S20 FE had several settings you could adjust for this, my Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 have adaptive charging that learns your charging habits and slow charges the phone so it only reaches 100% right before I typically wake up. Most phones implement smart charging to extend battery longevity these days.

    No matter how you shake it, slow charging is always healthier for your battery than fast charging.

    Wireless charging costs very little to include in a phone, the only reason some companies, like OnePlus, exclude it is to use it as a marketing ploy to separate and justify the price premium of their higher end phones. I don't agree with this tactic, so I won't buy phones without wireless charging when there are many other competing phones at the same price which do include it.


    At the end of the day, people can debate anything, but for me personally, I see zero reasons that every phone over $300 shouldn't include wireless charging. It cost manufacturers very little, it decreases the likelihood of damaging your phone's USB port, it's more durable than cables and ports, it's not bothered by water and debris like ports are, it provides a secondary way to charge your phone should you break your port or have a faulty charger short it out, and it's arguably more convenient than fumbling around with cables. There are so many benefits, but no real arguments against it. I will always recommend people to use wireless charging, and will only recommend people to buy phones with wireless charging capability.
    Reply
  • Mooncatt
    wmblalock86 said:
    Why do high end phones include water resistance....
    Because manufacturers saw a valuable (to their bottom line) marketing gimmick. Until they will warranty against water damage, that's all it is, a gimmick.


    As for overcharging the battery, the issue is the same for wired and wireless charging, so again, not a valid argument against wireless charging

    You brought up the idea of overnight charging being a benefit. Wired or wireless, I don't recommend it, so my argument is valid. If you still don't believe that, then I'll additionally counter that your claim of it being a benefit on wireless charging isn't valid for the exact same reason. You also misstated me. I didn't say it overcharged the battery. I said it charged to full and keeps the phone there. Letting a Li-ion battery dwell at high charge levels over about 80% accelerates battery wear.
    Reply
  • Brigonos
    Mooncatt said:
    This was never a needed feature. Considering how inefficient and slow it is, I never understood why anyone thought they did.
    Because ports go bad.
    Reply
  • mustang7757
    I'm all for wireless charging
    Reply
  • BEaRebel
    Prior 2 phones, Huawei mate & TCL pro 10 - Ports became faulty. This info has opened my 👁️👁️s. Thank you all.
    Reply