Wireless Charging Explained: What You Need to Know
How Qi charging works, what magnetic charging adds, and when a pad, a stand or a 3-in-1 station makes sense.
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How it works
A coil in the charger creates a magnetic field; a coil in the phone converts it back into current. That is the whole idea. The practical consequences are that the coils have to line up, the gap has to be small, and some energy becomes heat rather than charge.
Nearly all wireless charging uses the Qi standard, so a Qi charger works with any Qi phone regardless of brand.
Pad, stand or station?
Pad
Flat, cheap, unobtrusive. Best on a bedside table. You cannot see the screen easily while it charges.
Stand
Holds the phone upright so you can read notifications and use it for video calls. Better on a desk. A magnetic stand aligns itself, which removes the guesswork.
3-in-1 station
Charges a phone, earbuds and a watch from one mains plug. The tidiest option for a bedside table and the best value if you own all three. See the wireless charging category.
Magnetic charging
Magnets solve wireless charging’s main annoyance: misalignment. On compatible iPhones, a magnetic charger snaps into the correct position every time, so you never wake up to a phone that spent the night not charging. For the magnets to hold properly you need either a bare compatible phone or a case with a magnetic ring built in.
Speed and heat
Wireless charging is slower and warmer than a cable at the same wattage, because some energy is lost as heat. Phones deliberately slow charging when they get warm, which is why overnight wireless charging is a better use case than a fast 20-minute top-up. For speed, use a USB-C charger and cable.
What stops it working
- A card left in a wallet case — and the magnetic field can damage some cards.
- Cases thicker than about 3mm.
- Metal plates or metallic case finishes.
- The phone sitting off-centre on a flat pad.
- An underpowered plug — most wireless chargers need a decent USB-C charger, and many are sold without one.
Questions
Modern phones manage charging carefully. The main consideration is heat, so avoid charging in direct sun or under a pillow.
Through most slim cases, yes. Thick, metal-backed or card-carrying cases can block it.
Usually yes. Check what is in the box — many wireless chargers include only a cable.
Shop the range. Everything mentioned here is in our full accessories range, with GBP pricing and compatibility listed on every product page. Questions about your model? Email or call us.