What Is Qi Wireless Charging And How Does It Work?

'Qi' is a Chinese word that simply means 'energy flow' and is pronounced as 'chee.' It is one of the most popular wireless charging standards. However, it is not available for every smartphone now due to the fact that mainly high-end phones are equipped with this technology now. Apple and Samsung users may know what is qi charging better than anyone else. But if you are not one of them, don’t worry. In this article, we’ll talk about everything you want to know about this charging technology.

What Is Qi Wireless Charging?

Qi is a wireless charging standard used for wirelessly powering electronic devices such as smartphones, headsets, and wearable gadgets. Besides this, it also talks about the security and interoperability between Qi-enabled devices.

Now you may be wondering what is a Qi-enabled device. A Qi-enabled device is certified hardware designed to charge batteries according to the norms of the Qi standard. Any Qi compatible  device following this standard for wireless charging can be called a Qi compatible device and use the same wireless chargers.

Currently, smartphone manufacturers like Apple, Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, etc. support this standard. Since early 2012, Qi was the only wireless charging standard available for smartphones. But today it is quite common to see proprietary wireless charging technologies in smartphones manufactured by OnePlus, Oppo, RealMe, etc. Apple Inc. also on this list is the one that has its own wireless charging standard – MagSafe charging. Qi is so popular that many smartphones still support it along with their proprietary wireless charging standards. 

How Does Qi Charging Work?

Qi charging works on the principle of electromagnetic induction. The charging pad and your smartphone consist of copper wire coils. The charging pad has a large coil, while your phone has a smaller one. When current gets into the charging pad, its large coil generates a magnetic field. When you place the phone on this charging pad, the phone coil converts that magnetic field into an electric current. The current thus generated is transferred to the battery and stored as a charge. The amount of current flowing, voltage level, battery temperature, and charge level are all monitored for your phone.

You can also learn about the next generation of wireless power: Qi2 Wireless Charging, which is faster, more consistent in charging. 

Advantages of Qi Charging

Qi charging has the following advantages.

1. Ease of use: Qi wireless charging requires no cables to operate. Connect the charging pad to power and place your device on it. Isn't it easy?

2. No wear and tear: Charging cables and power ports often wear out over long periods of use. With Qi charging, no wires and ports are involved for any wear and tear.

3. Versatility: A Qi-certified wireless charging station can charge multiple devices. Some 3-in-1 or 4-in-1 wireless chargers even enable simultaneous charging. So a single Qi charger is sufficient if you have Qi-certified devices such as earbuds, headsets, AirPods, smartwatches, or a smartphone. You don't need separate chargers for them. See our collection of wireless chargers – Anker Qi chargers. These wireless chargers from Anker are capable of providing 15W or higher output, travel-ready, and angle adjustable up to 60 degrees to charge your smartphone, smartwatch, and earbuds at the same time.

4. Safer than wired charging: In case of a short circuit in wired charging, the cables can heat up and catch fire. With Qi charging, risks such as insulation failure, current leakage, and corrosion of the charging ports do not exist.

5. Longer Battery Life: Batteries equipped with wired charging often wear out sooner. Their charge-carrying capacity decreases rapidly due to high temperatures. In wireless charging, the temperature is strictly monitored and controlled, so the battery lasts longer.

Conclusion

The Qi wireless charging standard has defined a new way to charge your electronic devices. Although this is not very common today and most smartphones in the mid-segment range are yet to taste it, we still believe this seemingly futuristic technology is not just a flashy luxury but will develop soon and come to more smartphones and other electronics in the near future. With the great convenience it brings, we can count on this method to get our gear powered up at any time and always enjoy a fully charged life.

FAQ about Qi Wireless Charging

1. Is Qi the same as wireless charging?

No! Wireless charging is a technology, while Qi is a wireless charging standard. The Qi standard defines how power is delivered wirelessly. It also ensures secure operation and interoperability between all Qi-certified devices. Random wireless charging technologies may follow Qi or other standards to provide reliable wireless charging for devices.

2. How do I know if my phone has Qi wireless charging?

Check your phone's user manual, especially the “battery” part. If “wireless charging” is mentioned or has instructions on how to use Qi charging, then your phone supports it. You can also visit the website of your phone manufacturer and check the specifications of the phone in detail.

3. How do I turn on Qi charging?

Wireless charging Qi as the most popular wireless charging is enabled by default on most smartphones. Connect the wireless charger to a power outlet and place the phone in the center of the charging pad. A power or charging icon will be shown when the charging begins.

However, if your phone doesn’t enable it by default, you can check and toggle on the wireless charging on your phone’s settings. For example, on iPhone 8 and above, you can go to Settings > General > Accessibility. Look for the Wireless Charging option here and hit it to turn it on.