The Switch to Wireless
Eight months ago, I got tired of fumbling with cables in the dark. My USB-C port was getting loose from constant plugging and unplugging, and I'd already replaced one phone because of charging port damage. Wireless charging seemed like the obvious solution.
I bought a 15W Qi-certified charging pad for $28. Not the cheapest option, but I'd learned my lesson about budget chargers. Here's what happened next.
The Good: Convenience Is Real
There's something genuinely satisfying about just dropping your phone on a pad and walking away. No cable alignment, no checking if it's actually connected. The LED indicator tells me it's charging, and I'm done.
For my bedside use case, this is perfect. I put my phone down around 11 PM, pick it up at 7 AM with 100% battery. The slower charging speed doesn't matter because I'm sleeping anyway.
The Reality Check
Wireless charging is slower. My phone charges from 20% to 100% in about 2.5 hours wirelessly, compared to 1 hour with a 25W wired charger. For overnight use, irrelevant. For quick top-ups during the day? I still grab a cable.
Heat was my biggest concern. Wireless charging generates more heat than wired, and heat degrades batteries over time. After 8 months, my battery health shows 94% - down from 100% when new. My previous phone, charged exclusively with cables, was at 96% after the same period. Is that the wireless charging? Hard to say definitively, but I'm watching it.
Positioning Frustrations
Here's what nobody tells you: you need to place your phone precisely on the charging pad. Miss the sweet spot by half an inch, and you wake up to a dead phone. It happened to me twice in the first month.
I solved this by getting a pad with multiple coils - more forgiving placement. Cost more, but worth it for the peace of mind.
My Verdict
Wireless charging is worth it for specific use cases. Bedside charging, desk charging where you're not constantly picking up your phone - these work great. But it's not a complete cable replacement. I still keep a fast charger in my bag for when I need quick power.
If you're considering wireless charging, buy a quality pad with multi-coil design, and keep your expectations realistic. It's about convenience, not speed.