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[NinjaBoiX]

To preface, I’m far from a phone nerd. I’m still rocking an iPhone 8 and I’m absolutely happy with it. Yes, I’m still on the “huge chin and forehead” bandwagon, and honestly struggle to see the massive benefit of being rid of that. Yes, more screen real estate would always be a a bonus but I can honestly say (obvious confirmation bias aside) I’m not massively disappointed that my phone screen doesn’t stretch the entire length of the body of the phone.

Would that be cool? I guess so, provided I put a lot of value into something that I hold right up to my face anyway. Do I really care that much to pay for an upgrade? Not really to be honest, i don’t really get the appeal. Most videos are shot in a certain aspect ratio anyway.

But all this is an aside to my main question, what’s the post of wireless charging? Like, who cares? To me it’s a backwards step.

“I can charge my phone by simply resting it on a specific place on a pad, but I can’t use it while it’s charging and it wastes a bunch of energy/money by virtue of the early days of the technology. But I don’t have to fuss with a cable, man that was such a chore!”

“Oh right. I just click a cable into the bottom, takes like a second, and I can still use it while it’s charging, it’s pretty cool.”

Honestly, I’m often behind the times a little with technological advances but I genuinely don’t understand why this is a forward step.

“It’s amazing! You can just put your phone down on a pad and charge it less efficiently without being able to interact with it at all! It’s the future!”

“Or you could just, you know, simply click a cable into the bottom and keep using it as you were and charge it more effectively into the bargain.”

Am I missing something? Genuine question.

 

[Blond]

I dunno, it's cool but that's about it for me.

 

[RavenSan]

The only way I would want it, or consider it worth it, is if the phone was literally waterproof. not resistant. not IP rated. Waterproof. You make that thing totally usable in a pool, and I'll get used to wireless charging.

 

[NinjaBoiX]

The only way I would want it, or consider it worth it, is if the phone was literally waterproof. not resistant. not IP rated. Waterproof. You make that thing totally usable in a pool, and I'll get used to wireless charging.

This is where I’m at.

Give me some future perfect pebble of a device that is so resilient to ingress that the only way to charge it is wirelessly?

Sign me up.

But I don’t get it otherwise. I’m quite curious about tech, and so follow a lot of channels on YouTube about this stuff. And I often hear “disappointment” about the lack of wireless charging.

It’s like, how precious are you with wasted “effort” than inefficient charging by placing it on a pad rather than clicking a cable into the bottom is a deciding factor for you?

Is that process that much of a chore? And you can use it while it’s charging!

Again, like I said in the OP, to me it’s a backwards step. It’s a less efficient, less functional solution.

What’s the appeal? Have we got to the point that having to plug in a cable is such a chore that’s it’s literally a purchasing decision?

Doesn’t the wireless charging plates increase the size of the phone as an unfortunate aside too?

 

[Reptars Revenge]

I think that kind of charging is useless but I always like future wireless technology if it doesn’t kills us. Disney was working on some patent where your phone would charge in line for instance

 

[M.W.]

Nah, don't need it, or a front camera.

 

[DKehoe]

The charger I use in my car is wireless and it’s nice to be able to just place it in and out of that without messing around with cables. Other than that I don’t care.

 

[TrainedRage]

Stupid. I want to be able to charge my phone AND have the ability to use the thing.

 

[TDiddyLive]

I’ve had wireless charging since one of my older windows phones. The advantages are few but I love having it. Ease of use is huge. With one hand I can put it down and it’s charging. I can grab with one hand while running out the door. I’ve seen people grab their phones not remembering to inflight countless times and knocking all kinds of shit over. My wireless chargers have always been fast chargers and charged faster than the cable connection. If I’m at home, I don’t need the phone screen for anything, so being able to use it is a personal thing. I can still answer calls with speakerphone. If I get a text I take it off then put it back. The he big thing is cables and charging ports going bad due to all the plugging and pulling.

The one thing I’m waiting on is wireless Apple CarPlay/ AndroidAuto. Due to that I only physically plug my phone in the car.

 

[Fbh]

My last 2 phones have supported it and I've never bothered to get one.

It's a gimmick.

Maybe someday in the future if I can get a decently priced nightstand where I can just place my phone anywhere on it and charge it I'll see the use.

Until then it's basically just overpriced chargers for a neglectable benefit

 

[Ovek]

I use it when I charge my phone at night, I also have a wireless charge pad built in to my car but if I'm doing wireless Android car thingy and wireless charge at the same time my phone over heats.... Which is fucking wonderful.

I wouldn't miss it if my next phone didn't have it.

 

[NinjaBoiX]

So the consensus seems to be “yeah, it’s kind of pointless.”

Nah, don't need it, or a front camera.

Also this.

I’m not a 16 year old girl, I don’t want to pout at my phone for hours at a time.

I think I’ve taken like 10 selfies with my phone in the last three years, specifically when it was to take photos of more people than me.

 

[crumbs]

It's a "Nice to Have", but not a "Must Have" for me. I haven't used it a lot, but it's nice to know that I can still charge my phone even if the USB port was malfunctioning. Faster USB-PD charging has been more useful to me.

 

[Ceallach]

It's convenient af to just throw my phone on wireless pads.

 

[Mistake]

Well between that and bluetooth headsets, they should be able to completely waterproof smartphones, unless.....you want to use it as a phone

 

[Celcius]

I have two wirless chargers - one by my bed and one in my living room. They're really convenient - if my phone's battery starts getting low then I just lay it down on one of the chargers and when I pick it back up it has more battery charge then before, no needing to plug anything in. I admit that it's not a huge deal, but I like the convenience.

 

[TaySan]

I try it on my mothers wireless charger and can't seem to get it to work on my phone. I'm sure it's nice, but my plug in charger is fine for the most part.

 

[YCoCg]

It's slower than fast charging and you can't use your phone whilst it's charging, and in some cases you're required to remove your phone's case which honestly seems more bloody effort than connecting a USB-C cable.

 

[GAMETA]

No. I'd love if computers and stuff would all work without wires though, no electricity wires, nothing. But that's impossible, at least for now.

 

[MastAndo]

Sure, I have a few. I use one on my nightstand for sleepy time charging, and one on the arm of my couch. It's pretty convenient, particularly when you don't need a fast charge (which is usually the case for me)...also, they're not exactly expensive. Plus, the charging pad/stand is always where you left it, whereas loose cables slide off things. So yeah, it's just a convenience thing like a million other things in life, hardly a backwards step.

 

[BadBurger]

When I had a samsung phone it was cool. Had one of their turbo charging or whatever docks. Get home, lay the phone in it on my console table by the door, and would charge in about ten minutes. I also had one on my nightstand in my room. It is crazy convenient.

 

[pauljeremiah]

I find it convenient in my car.

 

[JBat]

It's a must have for me. Sure it's about as first world problem as it can get but I just drop it in the pad at night while I sleep and it's ready to go when I need it again. The battery is good enough that I don't need to charge it during the day and I've got a Bluetooth set of headphones so I can't remember the last time I actually used the USB c port

 

[NahaNago]

I use it a lot. The regular charge with a cord barely works with my phone so I'm glad it is available. Now I I'm hoping with whatever new phone I get I can have a wirless charging external batter phone cover.

 

[Grinchy]

I've never tried one. Almost bought one last year when I got my S10+ but just never ended up pulling the trigger.

The phone charges so damn fast via cable that I just don't really think about it too much.

 

[HoodWinked]

wtf is going on in this thread.

people objecting to an optional, convenient, low footprint, low cost feature.

no the charging pads are not exorbitantly priced, charging efficiency is decent, considering how many people still use a 5W apple charger most are faster than that, and no its not that difficult to line up to get to charge.

also whats with all these people that need to use their phone while charging, you can almost judge the stupidity of someone based on how much they use their phone while charging, it exposes the worst qualities of a person. someone that can't separate themselves from their device for a brief window so they sit there next to the outlet; the phone literally has these people leashed, also shows a person who doesn't think ahead and doesn't charge their phone in advance its this last minute oh right my phone is dying panic. also using your phone while charging is terrible for thermals and the battery and throttles the charging. finally its likely what causes the majority of port damage and accidents as people often forget the phone is connected then launch it out of their hands or bend the pins as they get up.

 

[EviLore]

it’s somewhat useful, but realistically only saves a few seconds per day.

Longer range wireless charging would be cooler, but current tech hasn’t developed enough yet:

 

[kingwingin]

Wireless charging is only nice in my car. Otherwise it's a hassle to use at home since I'm constantly using my phone.

As for the front camera, sorry ugly gaf, that shit stays. How else will I admire my beuty when not near a mirror?

 

[Mistershine.]

I’ve had wireless charging since one of my older windows phones. The advantages are few but I love having it. Ease of use is huge. With one hand I can put it down and it’s charging. I can grab with one hand while running out the door. I’ve seen people grab their phones not remembering to inflight countless times and knocking all kinds of shit over. My wireless chargers have always been fast chargers and charged faster than the cable connection. If I’m at home, I don’t need the phone screen for anything, so being able to use it is a personal thing. I can still answer calls with speakerphone. If I get a text I take it off then put it back. The he big thing is cables and charging ports going bad due to all the plugging and pulling.

The one thing I’m waiting on is wireless Apple CarPlay/ AndroidAuto. Due to that I only physically plug my phone in the car.

Same for me, my lumia 820 came with a wireless accessory kit that included a wireless charger, a wireless powerbank, and a Bluetooth speaker/hands free. Then my next 2 Windows phones supported it and my Samsung galaxy after that. I was disappoint when my new xperia 1 didn't.

 

[Kev Kev]

fuck yeah. i want it to be standard for charging everything. i never want to use batteries or cords again (well, except for the device that does the wireless charging)

 

[Elektro Demon]

It's cool but it's not as efficient as plugging in a cable. Wasting energy is not cool.

 

[Amory]

Yeah wireless charging does nothing for me.

Gimme faster charging. I don't care about attaching a cable

 

[-Arcadia-]

Both points in your OP can be addressed by a single answer. High-end phones are moving from a necessity to a luxury feature market.

Much like you don't need a top-of-the-line car to get you around everyday, every bit of what you actually need is aptly provided by much, much cheaper phones.

 

[hyperbertha]

After viruses, wires are what I want eradicated from this world. Hate them so much.

 

[ThatStupidLion]

Im right there with you OP.

Currently reading the thread on my iphone 8...

At this point Wireless charging is nothing more than a gimmick imo. But i can see the potential of it in 15-30 years.

 

[Woo-Fu]

I'd rather have it for bookreaders/ipads. My mother invariably breaks the charging port which means I either have to repair it or replace it.

 

[mickaus]

The only way I would want it, or consider it worth it, is if the phone was literally waterproof. not resistant. not IP rated. Waterproof. You make that thing totally usable in a pool, and I'll get used to wireless charging.

I think that would probably be the best use for wireless charging. My electric toothbrush charges wirelessly on a dock like thing.

I would only trust good quality manufacturers for waterproof wireless charging though, mistakes could be harmful especially with fast charging involved.

 

[kingbean]

I use it at my work desk all the time because not being attached to wires rules.

 

[Cunth]

Wake me up when you can charge over distance

 

[PaNaMa]

Usb C charge port on my S8 is boned, and no charge cables stay attached. They all pop out. Cleaned the port, same issue multiple cables. Same thing used to happen with my ps4 controllers.

Anyways only way I can charge my phone is with the wireless charger. I like the option!

 

[Mihos]

my USB connector is broken.... So yes

 

[poppabk]

I like it, I have a fast charge dock by the side of my bed and with my phone having an always on screen with the clock it replaces an alarm clock. It's just a convenience not an earth shattering improvement. I mean we don't 'need' USB-C etc but it is definitely easier.

 

[n0razi]

Its a dealbreaker if a phone doesnt have it for me

 

[RCU005]

It depends. I hate to charge the phone on the car because I hate to deal with the cable. Newer models have wireless charging, and I think it would be useful there.

Also at night.

Other instances, it's useless because during the day it would be pretty likely you still have to use your phone while it's charging.

 

[Sejan]

I like wireless charging. It saves a few seconds, but it’s worth it to me. It saves wear and tear on my case—it has a cover over the port to make it more water resistant. It’s also significantly easier to toss my phone on the wireless charger in the dark than to fumble with cables.

 

[Sorcerer]

I use magnetic USB cables. The best of both worlds. I can use the phone while charging and I can just take the phone and the cable will disconnect with no problem. Also eliminates wear of the port.

 

[bender]

Outside of the medical field, no.

 

[dorkimoe]

I like it, saves me time reaching for a cord

 

[Bog]

I had the little wireless charging dish on my desk at work back when there was an office. But it was so slow that it basically just kept my phone from losing a charge.

 

[Threeshotgamer]

My desk has it built in so i like the convenience of being able to just set my phone down and have it charging without a cord cluttering up my desk.