Basics of wireless charging. Qi: wireless chargers and compatible devices

Even after wireless Internet connections have become commonplace, transmitting energy without wires is still considered science fiction by many. However, over the past few years, active research has been carried out in this direction, and now the first commercial devices that allow equipment to operate without another type of wire are already available for sale.

The wireless charger market sector experienced a real boom in the fall of 2009, when companies, one after another, began to announce inductive charging devices. The first samples of wireless chargers were not certified, so they supported only a clearly limited set of chargeable devices.

The situation changed radically at the end of the summer of 2010, when the Wireless Power Consortium, which included the largest electronics manufacturing companies, approved a new standard for wireless power transmission Qi 1.0 with a level of no more than 5 W

The Wireless Power Consortium is currently working on the next version of Qi. It is known that the new version will allow you to transfer more energy over a distance and charge more “serious” equipment, such as netbooks, laptops, and tablets.

This icon (logo) marks all electronic devices that support Qi wireless charging.

Composition and operating principle of inductive charging

Source of energy. The basic operating principle of inductive charging is based on the use of the effect of electromagnetic induction. This requires the presence of two coils and alternating current, which will create a non-static electromagnetic field. The first coil is located in the transmitter and connected to the network.

Energy receiver. The receiver also contains a coil in which current occurs only when the electromagnetic field changes. This can be achieved by moving the receiver in space or by using alternating current on the transmitter. If anyone is afraid that he might be hit by a spark running between the transmitter and the receiver, then he is mistaken, since there is no transfer of charge through the air - the alternating magnetic field created by the first coil simply forces the electrons in the receiving device to move.

The basic operating principle of inductive charging is very simple and is based on electromagnetic induction. Unlike classic chargers, their wireless counterparts use an additional conversion unit, similar to a conventional transformer, instead of a copper conductor, which leads to a slight decrease in efficiency.

The efficiency of this unit, according to different manufacturers, ranges from 50% to 90%. The Wireless Power Consortium puts an intermediate figure at 70%.

The benefits of new wireless charger technology

Let's try to list all the advantages of the new technology:

Convenience. The phone owner simply places the device on a small flat panel, without worrying about connecting wires or accurately positioning the device on the transmitter.

Versatility. Users of certified equipment will be able to recharge it using any Qi-compatible charging model.

Economy. Although the overall efficiency of inductive charging is lower than that of traditional ones, due to the almost complete absence of energy consumption when idle (0.0001 W), they take the lead over long-term operation.

Practicality. The inductive charger is designed to be able to simultaneously “connect” several devices. Unlike traditional chargers, this does not require additional sockets.

Well, from an aesthetic point of view, the absence of unnecessary wires has always been a big plus.

Available wireless chargers

Transmission of energy over a distance is a truly new technology that has been developed for a number of innovative projects. In recent years, many large companies have been researching wireless power transmission for use in conventional technology. Suffice it to name Intel, Sony, Sanyo, Fujitsu, Energizer. And although some innovative developments never made it out of the laboratory, some products are already available on the market.

Powermat was one of the first to introduce inductive charging. Its models support iPhone, iPod, BlackBerry, and more recently Android.

Qi wireless charger - Powermat3

Such a limited list is due to the fact that initially not a single phone has a receiver for receiving energy. It is installed into the smartphone later along with a new battery and, of course, special battery versions are available only for the most popular models. Usually the battery with the receiver is slightly larger than its predecessor, but in general, due to the well-thought-out design, it practically does not stand out in the device.

GEAR4 takes a slightly different approach. Instead of a battery, the charger comes with a special case for the iPhone, which must be on the phone at the time of charging. The rubber pad does not need to be removed once the battery is fully charged, as it can perform normal protective functions.

The most common wireless charger today Energizer Qi One of the first to be certified in accordance with the Qi 1.0 standard and can charge up to three devices simultaneously. At the same time, an additional USB port is located on the transmitter body, which allows you to add another device

Wireless Charger - Energizer Qi

Wireless power transmission systems aren't just for smartphones. A year and a half ago, Energizer began releasing the Wiimote Induction Charging System for wireless controllers for the Nintendo Wii. Unlike analogs from other manufacturers, in this case you don’t even need to remove the silicone covers from the Wiimote. The cost of the listed chargers complete with battery usually ranges from $50 to $150

Another Energizer device, but this time highly specialized. Designed exclusively for charging Nintendo Wiimote

Although the Qi 1.0 standard does not provide the ability to transmit enough energy to power large devices, some manufacturers have developed their own systems for recharging laptops. More than a year ago Dell introduced a 16-inch model Latitude Z with a body thickness of just over 1.25 cm and a weight of about 2 kg, which can be charged wirelessly while on a special stand. The starting price of the laptop was $3645, and now, depending on the configuration, it is around $2000.

However, mass production of universal inductive chargers capable of charging laptops from any manufacturer will have to wait another couple of years.

The near future of wireless power transmission

It is obvious that in the near future all the efforts of researchers will concentrate on solving the following problems: increasing the efficiency of devices, increasing the amount of transmitted energy and distance. You can also expect that new inductive charging models will be almost universal and will be able to charge mice, portable consoles, phones, cameras, GPS and other devices.

Probably, soon all portable gadgets and mobile phones will be equipped with Qi-compatible receivers by default, so that they do not have to be purchased along with a new battery.

Last fall, Fujitsu announced that it would put its next generation of inductive chargers into mass production in 2012, which can charge mobile devices 150 times faster than early prototypes. Moreover, the efficiency of energy transfer in such models will be at least 85%.

In general, considering that a year ago Sony presented a working prototype of a system transmitting 60 W of energy, and WiTriCity announced the presence of devices capable of transmitting energy over a distance of 2 meters, it is possible that such technologies will become commonplace in a few years.

You can look into the future and a little further - already now Nissan demonstrates a prototype electric vehicle charger that can charge small electric cars in just 3 hours. At the same time, engineers claim that the efficiency of such a system is the same or even higher than that of conventional wired charging of cars.

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For better charging and faster data transfer, I would like to tell you about a technology that should help us get rid of wires as a class. As you might have already guessed, we will talk about wireless charging standards for smartphones and other gadgets. We will find out how they differ from each other, and, most importantly, how they work. Let's find out!

Just in case, let's start with the basics. Wireless charging, as the name suggests, is a method of transferring energy without using any contact surfaces. Those. This means not only the absence of wires, but also of any connectors or pins.

Today, wireless charging is not as popular as we would like. Manufacturers are not too willing to integrate such technology into their devices, and the mass appearance of charging stations in public places has not yet been observed. One of the problems, as in general in most electronics industries, is the lack of uniform standards. And that’s exactly what we’ll be talking about.

Qi

Currently, the most common wireless charging standard is Qi. It was developed by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC). It is the Qi standard that is supported by many manufacturers of smartphones and tablets, including such monsters as Asus, Motorola, HTC, Huawei, LG, Nokia, Samsung, Blackberry, Sony and others.

The transfer of power occurs from the transmitter to the plate inside the device. For successful charging, the plate must lie (be in a parallel plane) with the transmitter, and the distance between them should not exceed 4 cm. The charging process itself occurs due to electromagnetic induction. The current passing through the primary coil in the transmitter creates oscillations in the electromagnetic field, which in turn creates a current in the secondary coil located in the plate of the recipient device.

The main difference from competitors, who also use the principle of electromagnetic induction, is the operating frequency. In the case of Qi, it is 100-205 kHz.

P.M.A.

Another standard that also uses the principle of electromagnetic induction is called PMA. Introduced by Powermat in 2012. It may not boast as much support from device manufacturers as Qi, but it still has some tricks up its sleeve. The thing is that the charger consists of two parts, and PMA decided to focus on the transmitter rather than the receiver.

It was recently announced that the popular coffee chain Starbucks will introduce PMA wireless charging to all of its locations in the United States by the end of 2015. You can find out more about this in one of the pages on our website. As you know, hipsters love to flock to Starbucks, so this way PMA can gain popularity.

So far, the standard is fighting exclusively in the United States. In particular, it is used by local telecom operators as a tool for healthy and not so healthy competition. This is how AT&T is promoting PMA, cutting out wireless charging of other standards in its operator devices.

Although PMA uses a physical charging principle similar to the Qi standard, electromagnetic induction, there are still differences. As already mentioned, they lie in the operating frequency, which for PMA is 277-357 kHz.

At the moment, PMA is quite behind Qi in popularity, and the mobile devices in which this standard is preinstalled can be counted on one hand. But still, the forces behind the promotion of PMA are quite strong, so it is too early to completely write it off.

The standard, created by A4WP (Alliance for Wireless Power), uses Rezence technology. It is even less popular than PMA, but is worth mentioning if only because it uses a different energy transfer technology.

The creators position the technology as the “next step”, because with its help you can charge devices at a much greater distance than in the case of electromagnetic induction, and objects such as books or other household items will not become an obstacle. Also, several devices can be charged from one station at once, creating a so-called smart charging zone around the dock.

The principle itself is based on the magnetic resonance effect. This is what allows you to significantly expand the charging area from one dock, as well as charge several devices at once. The transmitted power can reach 50 watts, which may be quite enough for a laptop. At the same time, the “mat” itself, unlike Qi or PMA, does not need to be built into tables if, for example, you want to implement such stations in your cafe. It is enough to secure them under the tables, this will not become an obstacle for Rezence.

Despite all the coolness of the technology, Rezence cannot yet boast of great success. The technology is supported by such monsters as Qualcomm, LG, Intel, HTC and others, but so far it has not reached commercial samples. However, A4WP recently signed a cooperation agreement with PMA, so it is quite possible that Rezence or its next incarnation could become the second generation of wireless chargers.

Conclusion

Personally, using wireless charging would allow me to almost completely eliminate cables when using a smartphone, because I now use them exclusively to recharge the battery. The function of data transfer was taken over by cloud services, Pushbullet, Airdrop and their analogues.

At the moment, mass implementation of any of the standards is still quite far away. Although Qi is now installed in most devices that support wireless charging, its meaning is often offset by the lack of a widespread network of “mats” and their high cost. Those. in fact, charging can only be used on a home/work mat, which, by definition, lies in one place. Or you will have to carry this “mat” with you, but you still have to plug it into an outlet with a wire, so all the charm of wireless charging disappears.

Potentially, the abandonment of wires, including those that not only transmit information, but also energy for batteries, is not so far away. The industry is evolving, standards are emerging and improving, so someday we must eventually arrive at a world without wires. In the end, Elon Musk himself will develop this direction, and he does not like to throw words to the wind.

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Qi is a global international standard for wireless charging of a variety of devices. The standard is being developed by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC). The name Qi (pronounced Qi) is based on the pronunciation of one of the most important Chinese characters. Qi is the fundamental basis of Chinese philosophy and is most accurately translated as vital energy. It is well known that electrical energy can be transmitted without the use of conductive elements. Qi is based on one of the methods of wireless transmission of electricity over a distance - the induction transmission method. This method was known to mankind back in the 19th century. Most often, its implementation can be found in the production of most electrical transformers.

The essence of this method is as follows: an alternating electric current passing through the primary winding of the transformer, thanks to the phenomenon of electrodynamic induction, creates an alternating magnetic field acting on the secondary winding. This field induces an electric current in the secondary winding. Moreover, the closer the primary and secondary windings are located, the higher the efficiency of electric current transmission. As one winding moves further away from the other, more and more of the magnetic field is wasted, transferring no energy. This property determines the main disadvantage of this method - its short range of action.

The Qi standard is primarily aimed at household use of wireless chargers, in which there is no need for a long distance between the receiver and transmitter of electricity. But there is a consumer need to get rid of inconvenient charging cables, contact stands and other devices. The recommended distance between the charging platform and the device being charged in this case should not exceed 4 cm.

Such schemes have long been widely used in the designs of electric toothbrushes and induction cookers and are now being actively introduced into the mobile phone market. Today, all leading manufacturers of cellular equipment have already included the ability to charge their phones using the Qi standard. To activate the process of recharging the phone's battery, simply place it on a special compact charging panel; the panel, in turn, must be connected to a source of electricity (to a regular household outlet).

Qi achieves high efficiency wireless power transmission through the use of resonance effect. The transmitter and receiver are tuned to the same frequency. This is accomplished by incorporating capacitors into a flat spiral or single-layer solenoid, which is a transmitting coil located in the charging pad. At the same time, the transmission efficiency is 80%. For comparison, the efficiency when charging a phone using the traditional wired method ranges from 75% to 95%, but it is simply impossible to achieve 100% efficiency!

In cell phones that support Qi technology, the receiver coil is made in the form of a very thin copper spiral attached to the back cover of the phone from the inside. The thickness of such a receiver is negligible and installation does not cause much difficulty, so it can be placed under a standard cover without additional investment. As an alternative to this option, it is possible to replace the standard phone cover with a new one with a built-in receiver.

Chargers and gadgets certified by WPC according to the Qi standard do not use ionizing frequencies, as a result of which they cannot have harmful physiological effects on humans or animals. Also, most modern chargers and smartphones have built-in protection mechanisms based on thermal control. They are also capable of detecting the presence of foreign objects in their field of action, which also provides additional safety of use.

If the mobile phone and the charger support the QI standard, they will recognize each other as soon as they touch. After the exchange of necessary information, the process of energy transfer begins: the transmitter coil generates a magnetic field through which energy is inductively transmitted to the receiver.

1. The “charger” transmitter first detects the presence of a QI-enabled device that needs to be energized. It then generates alternating current in a transformer. A magnetic field arises in the coil, through which energy is transferred inductively to the device being charged.

2. Communication The controllers of both devices “agree” on the terms of energy transfer (Power Transfer Contract), thereby ensuring uninterrupted and efficient charging of the device. Data exchange is carried out through phase modulation of the magnetic field.

3. Receiver To store the alternating current generated by induction in the battery, the receiver needs to convert it into direct current and change the voltage accordingly. Finally, the receiver controller signals that the battery is fully charged and the charger stops the process.

Another important feature of the Qi standard, which is undoubtedly worth mentioning, is the presence of a data exchange interface between the charger and the smartphone. The exchange occurs at a speed of 2 kbit/sec and allows you to transmit and receive information about the residual charge level of the battery, test it and, upon completion of charging, turn off the transmitting device without consuming excess electricity and without harming the battery by excessive overcharging.

Today, the development of Qi can only be compared with Wi-Fi - a common global standard for wireless data transmission. Now, almost anywhere you are, you can access the Internet via a Wi-Fi hotspot. All mobile devices - smartphones, tablets, laptops are equipped with Wi-Fi modules. And it’s no secret to anyone that wireless technologies are our future, which is almost here.

The next step, designed to make our lives easier, is the widespread use of wireless universal chargers. To solve this problem, the Wireless Power Consortium has developed the international Qi standard.

The Wireless Power Consortium currently unites more than 140 equipment and device development organizations. The idea behind Qi is simple: any device with a Qi logo can be charged by any charger with the same logo. No more need for unique wired chargers for specific devices, no hassle with cables and no hassles with adapters when traveling. Qi is an international standard, which means your device can be charged without connecting a wired charger, over the air, wherever you are. All you have to do is find the nearest place equipped with charging surfaces. There are more and more such charging stations around the world. Soon wherever there is Wi-Fi there will be Qi! You can charge in offices, hotels, airports, cafes and restaurants. In the near future, one of the main criteria for a buyer to choose a new gadget will be the presence of the Qi logo on it. Already, such market monsters as Samsung, Apple, Sony, Ericsson, LG, HTC and Motorola use Qi technology in their devices. In this case, the device may already contain a receiver for wireless charging (Qi-solution), or it may be equipped with one (Qi-ready).

The number of smartphones with Qi that have already entered the market is more than 100 different models, and their sales have already exceeded 8,500,000 units. The most popular among them are the flagship Galaxy models from Samsung, iPhone phones from Apple, and the advanced Lumia line from Nokia.

Even Toyota has installed a built-in Qi charging pad in its latest car model, the Avalon Limited. Next to the driver on the center console there is a special panel, placing the phone on it will begin charging it. Thanks to the efforts of the Wireless Power Consortium, the wireless charger ecosystem is also growing very quickly. Many network leaders, such as Virgin Atlantic and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, have entered into agreements to equip tables for visitors to their cafes with Qi-surfaces for charging gadgets. In the near future, the number of places where you can charge your personal device wirelessly will increase many times over. And you can charge your smartphone wirelessly at home or in the car now, you just need to purchase a Qi-certified charging panel from us.

The prospects for the development of the Qi wireless device charging system depend on the speed of spread of this standard in the world and its support by market leaders. In fact, its distribution is already becoming ubiquitous. All global industry and industry leaders have already included it in their devices. It is also worth noting the lack of competition in this market. Having one common standard for everyone suits everyone. Moreover, in fact, all other interfaces have already been made wireless. And if nothing needs to be connected to the device, then it can be made completely or partially sealed. With such a smartphone you can communicate even underwater. And what is perceived with humor today will become a publicly available everyday reality tomorrow.

Today it is already difficult for us to imagine our life without mobile gadgets. This has led to a huge number of wires accumulating near household outlets, among which it is not so easy to find the necessary “charging”. In this case, a wireless charger will help solve the problem. The principle of its operation is very simple - just place the gadget on a special panel for it to charge. The accessory is based on the operating principle of an induction coil. This technology is called Qi. She has become very popular lately. In 2015, the globally popular brand began selling furniture that would have a wireless charging module built into it. Today, all flagship smartphone models support Qi. It is expected that transmitters, or, in other words, modules, will soon be found in airports, restaurants, cinemas, fast food outlets, and shopping centers, which will allow phones and tablets to be charged at any time. In fact, this will make life easier for users of mobile gadgets. We are entering a new era where it is not necessary to carry everything with us everywhere for all the devices we use.

Wireless chargers for gadgets with support for Qi technology

The wireless power standard is called Qi. In Russian the word is pronounced “Qi”. The standard bears this name in honor of the term of Eastern philosophy. It is developed by the Wireless Electromagnetic Power Consortium WPC. This organization unites global electronics manufacturers and sets itself an important task - to standardize the process of charging gadgets using the induction method.

In the near future, all devices will be able to be charged without connecting to the network. It's incredibly convenient. Each of us has at least once encountered a situation where... We have to urgently look for a way out. Soon, wireless charging modules will appear in all public places, as well as in every user’s home. At home, you can simply place the module in a convenient place, and it will never get lost, unlike wired “charging”. You just need to place the gadget on it and wait a bit until the battery capacity is replenished.

The operating principle of wireless “charging” is based on the properties of an induction coil to transmit electric current. In a school physics course, we were taught that when an induction coil is connected to a power source, a magnetic field arises in it, perpendicular to the turns of the coil. Thus, if you place two coils within the range of a magnetic field and at the same time connect one of them to a power source, then voltage will appear in the second coil. It is important to take into account the fact that the two induction coils should never touch each other. This simple principle is used in the operation of wireless chargers that support Qi technology.

There are two varieties of the Qi standard. The first involves charging at low power - 5 watts, and the second - at high power - 120 watts. High-power Qi is currently not produced by manufacturers due to objective factors. Using Qi at 120 watts, you can charge your laptop. Qi at 5 watts is used to replenish capacity and phones. It should be noted that tablets and smartphones require different amperages. A wireless charger for a phone produces a current of 1 ampere, and for a tablet computer - 2 amperes. When choosing an accessory, be sure to pay attention to these characteristics.

Energy efficiency of the Qi standard

A modern wireless charger consists of two components. One of them is built directly into the gadget, which supports Qi and is called a wireless charging receiver. Essentially, it is a receiver that conducts electrical current to the battery. The second component is called the transmitter. If you mean buying a wireless “charging”, we are talking about a transmitter. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The most common types are round and rectangular transmitters.

To better understand how wireless charging works, you should consider that a magnetic field can transmit not only electric current, but also data about bytes and bits, which the developers of the Qi standard took into account. Interaction between the coils will occur only at the moment when the gadget with a built-in transmitter is close to the transmitter.

If the accessory for charging the gadget operates in the background, then the pulse sent every 0.4 seconds by the transmitter will not change the voltage in the coil built into the transmitter. We can conclude that a modern accessory can recognize in which mode to operate. As soon as a smartphone is nearby at a distance of a few centimeters, the voltage in the induction coil will drop sharply, and the device will go into active operation mode. As soon as the smartphone's battery is charged, a corresponding signal will switch the charger into the background. We can conclude that modern wireless accessories for replenishing battery capacity are energy efficient.

Is Qi technology safe?

Some users mistakenly believe that Qi wireless charging may be harmful to health. The fact is that magnetic radiation is not ionizing. In its effect on the body, it is similar to a mobile phone signal, a radio signal. At the same time, the mobile network signal that comes from the tower is stronger and continuous, while electromagnetic radiation disappears immediately after charging the smartphone battery.

The power of wireless chargers is 5 watts. It is not enough to have an effect on the human body. We can talk about a negative impact only if the power of such devices is 120 watts. But such models are not produced on an industrial scale. This explains the lack of wireless chargers for laptops. It is important to know that wireless battery charging technology has long been used in many models of electric shavers and electric toothbrushes, which once again proves its safety.

Which smartphones support wireless charging?

First of all, we want to note that not all gadgets today support the wireless charging function. Apple intentionally markets products that are not Qi compatible. In this case, we recommend purchasing a special case with a built-in induction coil.

Flagship devices generally always support Qi technology. These include such popular smartphone models as Samsung Galaxy S6, Sony Xperia Z4v, Samsung Galaxy S6 Active, Google Nexus 6, Motorola Droid Turbo, Nokia Lumia 930, Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge. Already, dozens of models from various manufacturers can be charged using a wireless accessory, which provides maximum ease of use for users.

Is it possible to make wireless charging yourself?

Wireless chargers are quite expensive, considering that they are a regular induction coil. The question arises: “How to make a module with your own hands?” In principle, if you have knowledge of basic physics and special equipment to measure the strength and power of electric current, this will not be a big problem. Fans of radio electronics are able to assemble not so simple devices, but we do not recommend ordinary users to carry out such experiments.

On the aliexpress.com website you can find separate wireless device receivers for some smartphone models, including the , Google Nexus line. It is quite easy to install it on your phone. Under the cover of the device there are two contacts, which provide a positive and negative pole. All you need to do is buy and connect the receiver, after which you can conduct a wireless charging test. This solution is optimal if you somehow got a wireless charger, for example, you were given a gift, and your gadget model does not yet support the Qi function.

Wireless battery charging technology is gaining increasing popularity in the modern world. In the future, it will be possible to replenish the battery capacity in many public places. It is expected that stadiums, parks, restaurants, cinemas, and fast foods will be equipped with wireless chargers. When purchasing smartphones, we recommend paying attention to support for the Qi function, which is present in all flagship models of 2015.

The increase in battery capacity in modern smartphones results in an increase in recharge time. To speed up the process, manufacturers are developing new technologies such as QuickCharge, VOOC or PumpExpress. However, all of them are only designed to reduce the time spent on charging, but do not present anything radically new. Another development path is wireless charging. This promising direction, although slowly, is developing.

The convenience of wireless charging lies in the fact that you do not need to get tangled in wires and aim the cable plug at a small connector. The speed still leaves much to be desired, but you can recharge your smartphone simply by placing it in close proximity to a special source of electromagnetic radiation. Smartphones that support wireless charging and are relevant in 2016 will be discussed in the selection.

In February 2016, the company introduced a pair of new flagships, the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge. Now they can be purchased at prices ranging from $550 and $600, respectively. Both smartphones feature high levels of performance, excellent cameras, and support for wireless charging. They can replenish the battery capacity through Qi standard pads (the more popular one). The PMA wireless standard is also supported. In general, the devices are balanced and good in everything.

• Screen: Super AMOLED matrix, resolution 2560x1440 pixels, flat 5.1" (S7) or curved 5.5" (S7 Edge)
• Processor and graphics: Samsung Exynos 8890, 8 cores + Mali T880 MP12 GPU, or Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, 4 cores + Adreno 530 GPU (depending on the market)
• Memory: 4 GB RAM, 32 or 64 GB permanent + MicroSD
• Camera: resolution 12 MP, size 1/2.5", pixel size 1.4 µm, aperture f/1.7, DualPixel full phase autofocus), flash, OIS (optical stabilization), 4k video recording, front - 5 MP, f /1.7
• Battery: 3000 mAh (S7), 3600 mAh (S7 Edge)
• OS: Android 6

The combination of advanced functionality and premium design makes these smartphones one of the best in 2016. By and large, they have nothing to complain about at all (except for the not very affordable price).

Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge – thin flagships

Despite the fact that the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge were released last year, they remain relevant in 2016. Nowadays, you can purchase the devices from $400 or $500, respectively. In addition to the top-end hardware at the time of presentation (which is still not listed as an outsider), the smartphones received thin bodies. Both models support Qi (Qi) and PMA fast charging.

Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge are powerful and balanced smartphones that can now be bought for reasonable money. One of the disadvantages is the lack of a slot for a flash drive.

LG Nexus 5 – compact ex-flagship

3 years have passed since the release of LG Nexus 5, but it’s difficult to call it ancient. The smartphone remains relevant in 2016, although it can no longer compete with flagships. It has an excellent display and a good camera that can give some of the newer 13 and 16 MP models a run for their money. LG Nexus 5 supports Qi wireless charging. You can now find a smartphone starting at $160.

The smartphone is quite capable of competing with mid-budget devices in 2016 (and surpassing them). The disadvantages are the lack of a slot for a flash drive and a small battery.

Motorola Nexus 6 – phablet with a large screen and stereo sound

The large Google phone Motorola Nexus 6 came out 2 years ago, and in the fall of 2016 it looks like a strong middle peasant. A large high-resolution screen and a laconic design are the main advantages of the device. The smartphone supports wireless charging using the Qi standard. The price of the phablet at the time of compiling the selection is from $270.

• Display: AMOLED, 2560x1440, 5.96"
• Processor and graphics: Snapdragon 805, 4 cores + Adreno 420
• Memory: 3 GB RAM, 32/64 GB permanent
• Camera: 13 MP, 1/3", 1.4 µm, f/2, autofocus, flash, OIS, 4K video, front – 2 MP, F/2.2
• Battery: 3220 mAh
• OS: Android 5, update to version 7

Traditionally for Nexuses, the Motorola Nexus 6's main disadvantage is the lack of MicroSD. But the advantages of the Motorola Nexus 6 include stereo speakers on the front panel.

LG G3 D855 – phablet with thin frames

Released in the summer of 2014, the LG G3 D855 is a flagship device at that time, or a mid-level device for the fall of 2016. Considering that you can now buy it for $180, its venerable age by mobile standards does not matter. Moreover, the device has thin frames (the screen occupies more than 75% of the front panel), and is also equipped with a dedicated DAC and a Qi wireless charging module.

• Display: IPS, 2560x1440 pixels, 5.5"
• Processor and graphics: Snapdragon 801, 4 cores + Adreno 330
• Memory: 2 or 3 GB RAM, 16 or 32 GB permanent + MicroSD
• Camera: 13 MP, 1/3", 1.12 µm, f/2.4, phase detection + laser autofocus, flash, optical stabilization, 4K video, front – 2 MP, f/2
• Battery: 3000 mAh
• OS: Android 4.4, update to version 6

Thanks to a large high-resolution screen, compact dimensions (for 5.5") and a good battery, the smartphone is still sold and has admirers.

Microsoft Lumia 950 – the last of the Mohicans

In 2016, fans of the Windows Phone OS received sad news: Microsoft stopped producing Lumia series smartphones. The last flagship released based on this system at the end of 2015 was the Microsoft Lumia 950. The device received the top-end hardware at that time and a Qi wireless charging module. Now you can buy a Microsoft Lumia 950 by paying $350 or more.

• Screen: AMOLED, 2560x1440, 5.2"
• Processor and graphics: Qualcomm Snapdragon 808, 6 cores + Adreno 418
• Memory: 3 GB RAM, 32 GB storage + MicroSD
• Camera: 20 MP, 1/2.4", 1.12 µm, f/1.9 Carl Zeiss, autofocus, flash, OIS, 4K video recording, front – 5 MP, f/2.4
• Battery: 3000 mAh
• OS: Windows 10 (Phone)

Microsoft Lumia 950 is one of the best Microsoft smartphones of all time. For fans of the MS operating system who do not want to part with it, this is the optimal device.

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 – a thin phablet with a stylus

Released in the summer of 2015, the Samsung Galaxy Note 5, due to the unsuccessful release of its successor, in 2016 remains the last successful flagship in this line. The device is equipped with hardware that is still relevant today, a good camera, and also has a large front panel to display area ratio (76%). It is equipped with wireless charging that works with the Qi standard. PMA wireless charging is also supported. You can buy a Samsung Galaxy Note 5 by paying from $570.

• Screen: Super AMOLED, 2560x1440 pixels, 5.7"
• Processor and graphics: Exynos 7420, 8 cores + Mali T760 MP8
• Memory: 4 GB RAM, 32/64/128 GB ROM
• Camera: 16 MP, 1/2.6", 1.12 µm, f/1.9, phase detection autofocus, flash, optical stabilization, 4K video, front – 5 MP, f/1.9
• Battery: 3000 mAh
• OS: Android 5.1, Android 6 update

Among the advantages of the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 we can also note a dedicated DAC and a proprietary stylus, and the lack of a memory card slot can be noted as disadvantages.

Other smartphones

Other smartphones that support wireless charging that are not included in our selection:*

• ZTE V975 Geek
• Nokia Lumia 930
• Nokia Lumia 920
• Nokia Lumia 925
• Nokia Lumia 1520
• Nokia Lumia 720
• Nokia Lumia 810
• Nokia Lumia 820
• Nokia Lumia 822
• Nokia Lumia 928
• Samsung Galaxy Note Edge
• Blackberry 9700
• Blackberry 9700
• Fujitsu F-03D
• Fujitsu F-09D
• HTC 8X
• HTC Droid DNA
• HTC Droid Incredible 2
• HTC Droid Incredible 4G
• HTC Rezound
• HTC Thunderbolt
• LG Optimus G Pro
• LG Spectrum
• LG-Google Nexus 4
• LG Lucid 2
• LG Optimus F5
• Motorola Droid Bionic
• Motorola Droid 4
• Motorola Droid 3
• NEC N-01D
• NEC N-04E
• Panasonic P-02E
• Panasonic P-06D
• Pilips Xenium
• Sharp SH-02D
• Sharp SH-04D
• Sharp SH-04E
• Sharp SH-05D
• Sharp SH-07D
• Sharp SH-09D
• Sharp SH-13C
• Sharp SH-13C
• Sony Xperia Z

*in fact, there are more smartphones that support wireless charging, and some of the list only support separately connected pads with an over-the-air charge receiver. Find out about the smartphone you are interested in in the comments to this article. You can also expand this list by writing your smartphone model in the comments.

There are special adapters that you can purchase and install yourself under the cover of your smartphone, and the device will support wireless charging. They are connected via contacts for the NFC antenna. You can see what it looks like in the video after the list of smartphones that support similar adapters:

• Samsung Galaxy S3
• Samsung Galaxy S4
• Samsung Galaxy S5
• Samsung Galaxy Note 2
• Samsung Galaxy Note 3
• Samsung Galaxy Note 4

There are similar adapters for the iPhone, but they are connected via a connector and have a small cable so that the cover with the charge receiver can be folded and attached to the back cover. However, the practicality of such a design is questionable.

In addition to such devices, on the Chinese market you can find adapter cases for iPhones, with the ability to charge your smartphone wirelessly, but in this case you will have to sacrifice thickness.

There are options, like the Jiayu G6 smartphone, which has an open adapter connector on the back cover. However, to use wireless storage, you will need to purchase an original smartphone case.