Guide to Wireless Charging and Qi Standards

Wireless charging allows you to charge your phone without a charging cable when you place it on a table, bowl, or desk at your fingertips - just like magic.

While there are still some issues to be resolved, Wireless charging technology continues to advance. To this day, convenient and efficient wireless charging technology is widely used and continues to advance.

With all the controversy surrounding this technology, wireless charging is rapidly moving to a new level of development as more and more consumers discover how easy it is to use.

How does wireless charging work?

Wireless charging uses electromagnetic induction technology, the same as the induction principle. The charger and the receiving device contain the wireless charging coil, and the transmitting coil is located in the charging board. The receiver coil is located on the back of the phone and is connected to the battery.

The transmitter coil converts electrical energy and emits an alternating electromagnetic field. When the receiving coil is inside this field, it converts the energy into an electric current, which is then sent to the battery.

Evolution of Qi

The name QI is based on the concept of the life energy that flows through every living organism in China and is developed by the WPC to define various power specifications that correspond to the amount of energy flowing between the charger and the device. Qi also includes a data transfer specification that allows devices to request optimal power from the wireless charger.

The Baseline Power Profile (BPP) specification supports power output up to 5 W. The Extended Power Profile (EPP) specification supports power up to 15 W. Both BPP and EPP can charge mobile devices. Still, EPP technology is more advanced because it can support fast charging.

The Qi standard also includes medium power specifications, with medium power currently available from 30-65W (expected to support up to 200W eventually). This specification is used for larger devices such as kitchen appliances, robotic vacuums, power tools, and drones.

Qi Fast Charging

The difference between BPP and EPP may seem technical, but it significantly impacts your wireless charging experience. All wireless charging products for mobile devices use BPP (up to 5 W) or EPP (up to 15 W), and you might think that since EPP chargers can deliver more power, buying an EPP charger will automatically result in faster charging. But that's not the case.

Your mobile device's ability to receive power is the limiting factor regarding charging speed. No matter which charger you use, your device must be able to receive 7 W of power for fast wireless charging.

Regardless of which charger you use, your device must be able to receive 7 W of power for fast wireless charging.

Even if your phone and charger both support fast wireless charging, choosing the wrong accessories can still slow you down. Both your cable and wall adapter must be able to receive enough power for fast charging. For example, if you have a 10 W charging pad plugging into a 5 W wall charger, your device will only charge at 5 W, so that you won't get the benefits of fast charging.

What are the advantages of wireless charging？

Less confusion

The main advantage of wireless charging is in the name - of wireless. Wireless charging reduces the clutter caused by charging cables. The only cable you need is the charging pad's power cord.

Charging is easier

Wireless charging also eliminates the need to plug the cable into the phone. Ever plugged in your phone and found out hours later that the cable connection is not secure - and your phone is still dead? Wireless charging eliminates this problem. When you place the phone flat on the charging pad, the charging pad will start charging the phone.

Longer device life

No repeated plugging and unplugging of cables means less wear and tear on your phone's charging port. Your phone will even last longer since the charging port is a common point of failure for mobile devices.

No cable compatibility issues

No charging cables also means you can say goodbye to the age-old problem of technology enthusiasts - connector mismatches. No more worrying about not having a Lightning, USB-C, or Micro USB cable. All Qi devices work on all Qi charging pads.

Reduce e-waste

The benefits of reducing electronic clutter go far beyond your tidiness—the current need for a universal wired charging standard results in much unnecessary e-waste. The widespread adoption of wireless charging may solve this problem.

Currently, most Android devices use the USB-C port, while Apple devices use the Lightning connector exclusively. To switch from Android to Apple and vice versa, you'll need a new charging cable (and possibly a new adapter). Unfortunately, your old cables and adapters will probably end up in landfills. Charging cables may be small, but the e-waste problem is not.

In January 2020, the European Parliament voted to adopt new regulations to establish a universal charging standard for cell phone manufacturers in the EU. The EU claims that agreement on shared charger standards will end charger clutter and 50 million tons of e-waste per year (16.6 kg per resident).

Wireless charging is leading the way in reducing e-waste. Qi wireless charging has already achieved a universal charging standard. Apple, android, and google all support the qi standard, making it the most reliable charging standard available today.

Safer Charging Products

As more and more users adopt wireless charging, the additional benefits of standardized chargers will become evident. The quality of charging products on the market should improve, and the sale of counterfeit chargers will decrease, providing a higher level of security for users worldwide. It is essential to choose the proper manufacturer to use wireless charging products. Miman Intelligent produces wireless charging modules and wireless chargers with high quality and guaranteed products. Welcome to inquire about wireless charging products and solutions.