The Pros and Cons of Wireless Charging: What's Best for You?

Wireless charging has changed the game but it hasn’t completely wiped out traditional chargers just yet. While wireless smartphone chargers are certainly the way forward, standard charging cables are still a common way to reach a full charge. Get caught up with the latest tech and find out if wireless charging is right for you!

ROKFORM specializes in functional phone accessories designed for an active lifestyle. Take care of your device with a protective phone case and compatible mounts purpose-built for cycling, motorcycling, or driving. Every iPhone 14, 13,  and 12 rugged ROKFORM case allows for seamless wireless charging, making charging a breeze.

So what’s the deal with wireless charging? How does it really work, and should you be using it to charge up your smartphone? We’re taking a look at the pros and cons of wireless charging to help inform your decision.

Fast forward to 2023, and the hype has simmered, but now wireless charging is available in more smartphones than ever. Almost all new iPhones and Android phones in recent years come with cable-free charging capability. ROKFORM phone cases for Apple and Samsung products allow for easy wireless charging, including protection from drops up to 6 feet and strong magnets to hold onto any magnetic surface.

Wireless charging uses a charging pad to transmit power wirelessly via electromagnetic induction. This works because the charging station creates an electromagnetic field between the charger and phone to transmit the electric current through the airwaves. 

The waves are picked up by a receiver coil embedded in the back of your phone that transforms the electromagnetic waves into usable electricity. This electrical current is then used to charge the smartphone and stored in the phone’s battery.

Wireless charging is often referred to as Qi wireless charging or Qi technology. The Qi standard was introduced in 2008 and has become the principal wireless charging standard in the industry, used across most smartphone brands. Qi uses both resonant and inductive charging, of which the latter requires devices to be close to each other in order to work.

Because the magnetic field has limited range, phones must be placed close to the wireless charging stand. This typically means resting the device directly on the pad. There is normally a circle or other marker that indicates the center of the charging station, but the positioning doesn’t need to be exact to the millimeter.

When you center your smartphone onto a wireless charging pad, your phone will display that it is charging. You’ll notice the change of your battery icon from its standard mode to a battery with a bolt in the middle, indicating that your phone is actively being charged. Some different phones display a cool graphic while the device is charging.

• Less cords to worry about. This one’s a no brainer. With wireless technology, you don’t need to carry around your USB-C charger wherever you go. You just need one USB cable that is connected to the charging mat.

• Universal compatibility. Qi charging is the universal standard, so if you have multiple different devices, you can use the same charging pad without any issue. Go cable-free and charge other mobile devices or your Apple watch with the same charger!

• Safer connections. Since the charging is all occurring inside an enclosed environment and without cords, there’s no corrosion because there is no exposure to water or oxygen. This also means that there is less risk of electrical faults. This is a pretty big plus, since plenty of companies are selling a janky charging cable.

• More durable. Without having to regularly plug or unplug, there’s also no wear and tear on the smartphone charging port. If you alternate between charging wirelessly and via USB ports, going cable-free also means less wear and tear on your cables.

• Won’t overheat your phone. When your smartphone is fully charged, the wireless charger automatically shuts off and tops off the charge when needed. This technique is called “trickle charging” and means less energy, a safer charge, and no overheated battery.

Experience the fast way to wirelessly charge your phone in the car using the Roklock Wireless Charger! Learn how to use and install the lightweight, compact charger:

• Not exactly wireless. When people hear the term wireless, they immediately think that they can move around pretty freely. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case with wireless charging. Whereas with a cord, you are at least free to move around the length of the cord, with current wireless charging your smartphone has to stay on top of the charging pad in order to continuously charge. 
• You aren’t able to use your phone. The phone must stay directly on the pad to continue charging.
• It takes longer to charge your phone. The efficiency of Qi charging is still lower than cable charging, so it takes more time to charge wirelessly using the same amount of power. Wireless charging supposedly takes around 30% longer to fully charge your device than a cable. With wireless charging technology rapidly advancing, this lag is disappearing fast. 
• You have to pay closer attention to your phone. Maybe the biggest disadvantage that is often overlooked by people is the need to pay closer attention to charging your phone. This is because, if you pick up your phone to quickly use it while it’s being charged, you have to be much more deliberate when you put it back down. People are used to picking their phone up and putting it down without much thought. With a cord connected, it’s not a big deal. If you put your phone back down absentmindedly and it’s not perfectly placed on the pad, it’s not charging.
• Wireless charging pads cost more than cable chargers. As a pretty new technology, it’s more costly to purchase a wireless charging pad, especially when new cell phones come with a corded charger in the box.

When you have a compatible ROKFORM case, wirelessly charging your phone is a walk in the park. Some ROKFORM cases come with removable center plugs: one magnetic and the other non-magnetic. Users simply need to take out the magnetic plug when they want to charge wirelessly. New ROKFORM phone cases for the iPhone 14, iPhone 13 and Samsung S23 have these optional plugs as well as the MagSafe array for wireless charging.

It’s super easy to pop out that center magnet or you can simply leave in the non-magnetic plug. The advantage of the extra center magnet is an even stronger connection to magnetic mounts or surfaces. The ROKFORM Eagle 3 case is designed specifically for golf and doesn’t have a center magnet to worry about. This lightweight, course-ready case boasts the MAGMAX™ MagSafe array that always allows for wireless charging.

For wireless charging in your car, mount your phone to the RokLock Wireless Charger! This charger mounts directly to either the RokLock Car Dash Mount or Windshield Mount and stays securely in place inside your vehicle. Then simply attach your phone in its ROKFORM case that twists onto the charger. If your case has a plug, you’ll have to remove the RokLock plug before you can mount onto the accessory.

If you're not planning to utilize wireless charging in your vehicle but still want to stay connected to you're phone's GPS and music apps, ROKFORM offers a full line of car phone holders and truck phone mounts.  

To put it all together, let’s look at the main benefits and potential drawbacks of wireless charging. While wireless chargers can be more expensive at first, their ease of use pays huge dividends each time you charge. Check out the summary below:

Yes. Some ROKFORM cases come with removable center plugs: one magnetic and the other non-magnetic. Users simply need to take out the magnetic plug when they want to charge wirelessly. New ROKFORM phone cases for the iPhone 14, iPhone 13 and Samsung S23 have these optional plugs as well as the MagSafe array for wireless charging. 

When using a ROKFORM phone case, a 20W USB-C power adapter is the minimum requirement. We recommend at least 30W to deliver more power to the wireless charger because our cases are thicker than average. We’ve had best results with Anker’s 65W power adapter.

For best wireless charging results, we recommend the following:

• For Apple® MagSafe® Wireless Charger: USB-C 65W Wall Charger from Anker, you can find it on Amazon by searching ASIN: B08F28BH7C.
• For a wireless charging Pad: TOZO W1 10W wireless charger, you can find this on Amazon by searching ASIN: B07FM8R7J1 and the Apple® 20W USB-C charging adapter.
• For in-vehicle charging: We cannot guarantee that wireless charging with a Crystal or Rugged case will work with all Qi® chargers and in all vehicles due to the nearly infinite combinations, including vehicle type, charging area, power output, etc.

Yes, most wireless charging pads safely trickly charge into your phone battery to keep it topped off without overcharging. Traditional cable chargers are also fine, but old phones with poorly performing batteries might experience slight overheating. 

Taking care of your phone means protecting its external parts as well as its internal components. Wireless charging prevents overcharging that can sometimes lead to overheating. ROKFORM phone cases are heavy-duty and made from premium materials built to withstand drops up to 6 feet.

The simple answer is no, a magnet will not damage your smartphone, but it’s worth knowing why exactly that is the case. ROKFORM’s magnet technology is safe to use with your smartphone and won’t interfere with its internal components or other important functions. 

In this article, we get back to the basics and explain why our magnetic products will not damage your phone. 

While the technology seems straightforward, there are some important considerations to keep in mind when you want to get the most from it. In this article, we unpack MagSafe® wireless charging and accessories so you can enjoy hassle-free charging and connecting in more places. Click here to learn more: https://www.rokform.com/blogs/rokform-blog/what-is-magsafe-your-guide-for-the-best-accessories

ROKFORM is premium handheld innovation made for those who take action seriously. Our products are designed in California, inspired by necessity and first-hand experience, built to last, backed by real people, and engineered by an experienced team.

Whether you're looking for a premium phone case, versatile mounting system, or functional accessories, ROKFORM has you covered! Visit our showroom in Irvine, California, or contact our 5-star support team with any questions, comments, or concerns.