How Do Wireless Chargers Work? A Guide to Cable-Free Power

Wireless charging has been growing on us for years, and for good reason. Cables tangle, fray, go missing… but with a wireless charger, you just drop your phone on the pad, and it starts juicing up. Simple.

That’s why the tech stuck around, and now you’ll find wireless charging pads, stands, and power banks popping up just about everywhere. But if you’re new to it, you might be wondering: how do wireless chargers work, exactly? And is it really worth switching to?

In this guide, we’ll break it all down, from the tech behind it to what “Qi” charging actually means, plus the pros and cons you should know. Let’s see what all the fuss is about.

alt: Charging phone on wireless charger pad

What Is Wireless Charging?

Simply put, wireless charging is a way to power up your device without plugging in a cable. Normally, when we think about how battery chargers work, it’s all about sending electricity through wires. But with wireless charging, it’s different—the charger uses magnetic fields to transfer energy to your phone, no cables required.

There are two main types of wireless charging tech behind the scenes:

Inductive Charging (the most common)

This is the method most wireless chargers use today. It works by creating a magnetic field between two coils—one in the charger and one inside your phone. When the coils are properly aligned and close together (usually just a few millimetres), the charger sends power straight into your phone’s battery. It’s efficient and reliable, as long as everything lines up properly.

Resonant Charging (more flexible, but less common)

Resonant charging uses a similar idea but tunes both coils to the same natural frequency, letting energy jump farther—several centimetres or even tens of centimetres.

That means your device doesn’t have to be placed perfectly on the pad to charge. You could even charge through thicker surfaces or power up multiple devices at once. It’s less efficient and not common in phones right now, but the tech is growing and could show up more in future setups like furniture or car dashboards.

How Do Wireless Chargers Work?

Now that you know what wireless charging is, let’s talk about how it actually works when you place your phone on a pad or stand. At the heart is a principle called electromagnetic induction.

Inside the wireless charger is a transmitter coil, and inside your phone is a compatible receiver coil. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s happening:

1. The charger gets power and looks for your phone.When you plug in the wireless charger, it enters a low-power standby mode, quietly sending out tiny test signals to check if a compatible receiver coil is nearby.
2. Your phone and the charger start talking.As soon as you place your phone on the pad, the coils inside both devices line up and exchange a quick set of signals. This “handshake” lets them agree on how much power to send, based on what your phone can handle and how hot things are allowed to get.
3. Charging begins.With the connection established, the charger takes power from the wall (or a USB-C port), converts it into high-frequency alternating current (AC), and sends it through its transmitter coil. This creates a magnetic field.
4. Magnetic field transfers energy.That magnetic field crosses the gap and induces an AC voltage in the receiver coil inside your phone, transferring power wirelessly. The closer the coils and the better the alignment, the more efficient the transfer.
   5. Your phone manages the charge. Inside your phone, a power chiptakes over. It converts the incoming AC into direct current (DC), regulates the voltage, and safely feeds it into your battery—all while monitoring heat and adjusting as needed.

alt: Placing a phone on wireless charger pad

What Is Qi Charging?

Now that you know how wireless charging works under the hood, let’s talk about Qi, the standard that makes all this possible across different brands and devices.

Qi (pronounced “chee”) is the global standard for wireless charging, developed by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC). Since its launch in 2010, it has become the go-to method for wirelessly charging most smartphones, earbuds, and accessories.

Supported by over 200 major companies—including Apple, Samsung, and Anker—Qi is designed with one simple goal in mind: to ensure that any Qi-certified charger works safely and reliably with any Qi-certified device, no matter the brand.

Qi is based on electromagnetic induction, just like we talked about earlier, and adds the digital “handshake” to agree power levels and manage temperature. Depending on your device, a standard Qi charger can provide anywhere from 5W to 15W of power. It also includes safety measures like foreign-object detection, which stops charging if it senses metal objects like coins or keys that could cause overheating.

alt: Qi charger coil

What about MagSafe and Qi2?

Apple introduced MagSafe with the iPhone 12 back in 2020, adding a ring of magnets around the Qi wireless charging coil. These magnets snap the phone into perfect alignment with the charger, which not only makes charging more reliable but also enables faster speeds—up to 15W on iPhones, compared to just 7.5W on older Qi chargers.

To bring that same kind of magnetic alignment to everyone, the WPC launched Qi2 in 2023. This updated version of the open standard builds on Apple’s magnet layout with something called the Magnetic Power Profile, which helps phones and chargers snap together just right, no matter the brand.

Qi2-certified products are now popping up across the board, from simple pads and magnetic power banks to full multi-device stations. And if you’re using a MagSafe-ready iPhone (12 through 16), you can get that satisfying snap-on alignment and fast 15W charging with any Qi2-certified third-party charger—often for less than Apple’s own MagSafe charger.

alt: Qi2 wireless charger for iPhone

Two multi-device wireless charging stations from Anker stand out, especially if you’re looking for compact design, full Apple ecosystem support, and fast charging on the go or at your desk.

Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1, Foldable Pad)

If you want something truly travel-ready, this Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1, Foldable Pad) is the neat, fold-up option that shrinks to a palm-size “UFO”.

Unfold it and you get three dedicated spots: Qi2-certified 15W magnetic charging for iPhone, 5W for Apple Watch with Apple-certified fast charging, and 5W for AirPods or other Qi earbuds. Total output is 25W. It also supports StandBy Mode when you fold it the other way around into a sleek stand and flip the phone into landscape.

The patented design uses a durable silicone strap with a soft, skin-friendly texture to keep everything tidy in your bag, while Anker’s ActiveShield 2.0 tech constantly monitors temperature to keep things cool and safe. A 40W USB-C adapter is included for peak performance, no need to bring your own brick.

alt: Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Foldable Pad

Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (Foldable 3-in-1)

Prefer a mini stand you can angle on a desk or bedside? This Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (Foldable 3-in-1) folds into a compact block for travel, then opens into a tilt-adjustable stand that lets you snap your iPhone on and prop it up at a comfy viewing angle—great for checking messages or using StandBy Mode while it charges.

It supports 15W Qi2 charging for iPhone, official fast charging for Apple Watch, and 5W for your earbuds, again with 25W total output. The Wireless PowerIQ™ system inside uses custom Qi2 components, a 32-bit processor, and advanced heat control for consistently fast and efficient power delivery.

alt: Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station on desk

Pros and Cons of Wireless Charger

So, should you make the switch to wireless charging or at least add it to your setup? Like most tech, it comes with its own mix of perks and trade-offs. Here’s a look at what you’re getting into:

Pros

• Super convenient.Just drop your phone on the pad and it starts charging—no cables, no port-hunting, no fuss. Perfect for desks, nightstands, or the kitchen counter.
• Cross-brand compatibility.With Qi certification, you can use the same charger for different devices—phones, earbuds, even smartwatches in some cases. There are now over 11,000 Qi-certified products out there.
• Magnetic alignment makes it better.Qi2 and MagSafe chargers snap your phone into the right spot every time. That means more consistent charging speeds and fewer interruptions.
• Built-in safety features.Qi chargers are smart: they detect heat, stop charging if a foreign object is detected, and slow things down if your phone gets too warm.
• Less wear and tear on charging ports.Wireless charging cuts down on plugging and unplugging, which helps keep your phone’s port in better shape.

Cons

• Still slower than wired charging.Even with Qi2 improvements, wired charging is usually faster—especially if your phone supports 30W+ fast charging via USB-C.
• Placement matters.The charging coils in your phone and charger need to be properly aligned to work efficiently. If they’re even slightly off, you might find yourself asking, ‘Why is my charger not working?’ Qi2 and MagSafe use magnets to help snap things into place, making alignment easier. But with traditional Qi pads, even a small bump can knock your phone out of position and stop the charge entirely.
• Not as energy efficient.Wireless charging uses more power overall and tends to generate more heat. If the phone isn’t well-aligned or is in a thick case, it may charge slower or warm up more.
• Costs more than a wired setup.A high-quality, certified wireless charger usually costs more than a standard USB-C adapter and cable set.

Conclusion

So, how do wireless chargers work? It all comes down to clever magnetic fields and Qi-certified tech doing the heavy lifting, no wires required. While wireless charging isn’t perfect, it’s a solid option if you value convenience over raw speed.

Whether you’re looking to declutter your bedside table or simply ditch worn-out cables, wireless charging might be a smart upgrade. Just be sure your devices support it and weigh up the pros and cons before you invest.

Ready to go cordless? Check out what Anker has to offer!

FAQs

What is the disadvantage of wireless charging?

Wireless charging is generally slower and less efficient than wired charging. This inefficiency generates excess heat which may reduce battery lifespan over time. Misalignment between device and pad can further impede charging, and wireless chargers typically cost more than equivalent wired options.

Can any phone be charged with a wireless charger?

Only phones that support the Qi wireless charging standard can be charged wirelessly. Phones without built‑in Qi charging coils may require a receiver pad or sleeve plugged into the USB‑C port. Without such support, placing a phone on a charger will not transfer power.

How does a wireless charger charge a phone?

Wireless charging uses electromagnetic induction: the charging pad contains a transmitter coil fed by alternating current, creating a changing magnetic field. The phone’s built‑in receiver coil, when aligned nearby, absorbs that energy and converts it back to DC electricity to recharge the battery. Precise alignment between coils is essential for efficient charging; too much distance or misplacement can prevent power transfer.