The perfect wi-fi charger you should buy

Qi wi-fi charging has been round longer than you would possibly assume. Google added wi-fi charging to the Nexus 4 and the Nexus 7 (2013) the next yr. Whereas it disappeared for a number of Nexus and Pixel generations, Qi charging has turn out to be a smartphone staple. Even iPhones have used Qi charging for the reason that iPhone 8 and X. As a result of its widespread reputation, an unlimited array of wi-fi chargers can be found. In my view, the perfect one comes from Samsung, and it is the Wi-fi Charger Duo.

Value, availability, and specs

That is getting out of hand; now there are two of them

In order that we’re clear on issues, there are two variations of the Samsung Wi-fi Charger Duo. The primary, which I now not personal, was launched round 2018 or 2019. The one we’re reviewing at present is the second technology, which got here out in 2022 and is drastically improved.

The Wi-fi Charger Duo is offered from Samsung, Amazon, and different retailers for an MSRP of $90, though it is usually discounted or bundled with a smartphone as a bonus merchandise. The Duo has a fan beneath the primary 15W charging pad that pulls air from the underside and circulates it round your cellphone. The spec sheet would not say what the output of the second pad is, however an informed guess would place it at 10W. A 25W wall charger is included, and in the event you use a lower-powered brick, the gadget will flash a warning if each pads are used concurrently.

The second pad homes a magnet that may preserve Samsung Galaxy Watches way back to the Watch 3 and Watch Lively in place whereas charging. With out this magnet, these watches would slide all over.

What’s good concerning the Samsung Wi-fi Charger Duo?

Quite a bit, really

I take advantage of wi-fi charging quite a bit; it is how I cost my cellphone each evening once I go to mattress. I used the unique Duo from 2019 to 2023; consider me, the 2nd technology is an unlimited enchancment. Apart from trying higher, which is subjective, this feels as if it is made higher. It has a quieter fan, is less complicated to scrub due to the absence of rubber on the watch charging pad, and is extra helpful due to the magnet that replaces mentioned rubber.

The cooling fan is a welcome characteristic. It is virtually silent, solely audible in the event you get inside a number of inches of the pad, and it is efficient. Even throughout a heatwave of almost 40°C (104°F within the USA), my cellphone was barely even heat after charging for an evening. Meaning the cellphone and charger can keep 15W peak charging pace for longer. Some telephones on the market can cost at increased wattages than that, however these are a rarity, with 15W being extra widespread. My S24 Extremely can cost from about 20% to 100% in about an hour and a half. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 additionally helps 15W, however due to the smaller battery, it may well obtain 20-100% in roughly an hour.

As talked about earlier, we estimate the secondary pad to be 10W. That strains up with the wall charger within the field, however the Galaxy Watch 6 helps us decide that, too. Newer watches, like my Watch 6, help 10W charging, and it prices on the identical pace on this pad as on the included charger. I’ve heard many complaints about utilizing wi-fi chargers like this with smartwatches, as they have an inclination to slip about, usually leading to {a partially} charged gadget. The magnet solves this, firmly holding your Galaxy Watch in the precise spot.

That 10W secondary pad is useful for wi-fi earbuds and different telephones, not simply watches. My 2023 Moto Razr+ maxes out at 10W on a Qi charger, so I may concurrently cost my S24 Extremely and Razr+ at their respective full speeds, an hour and a half for the S24, as beforehand talked about, and about two hours for the Razr. In fact, the gadgets in query might want to help Qi charging, somewhat than something producer particular outdoors of Samsung. The Pixel Watch, for instance, makes use of charging pins, so that will not work, however Pixel Buds, AirPods, and different Qi equipment will work simply advantageous.

The Charger Duo’s design can be a bonus. The matte plastic is light-weight however nonetheless sturdy, and the rounded corners give it a softer look. I recognize that the sq. main pad has virtually equivalent dimensions to a closed Galaxy Z Flip or Moto Razr, so whenever you place that cellphone on the charger, it matches proper within the center prefer it’s imagined to reside there. The scale is one other sturdy level. The Duo is just 16mm skinny, and the general measurement and form jogs my memory of a cleaning soap dish. It is general footprint is about the identical as a Google Pixel 8a sitting in panorama. So, it is simple to tuck it away someplace.

I’ve one on my bedside desk, and one other on my desk behind my keyboard for fast top-ups when working or gaming. I believe it was good going with grey because it matches in properly virtually wherever you place it. There’s a white one obtainable as properly, but when shopping for Transformers all my life has taught me something, it is that white plastic likes to discolor over time, so I went with the grey.

There are two LED indicators, one for every pad. A inexperienced mild signifies the gadget is full, stable crimson means it’s charging, and flashing crimson means the gadget is misaligned or there’s particles between the pad and the gadget. Flashing yellow signifies the ability provide plugged into the pad is not enough.

Total, this makes the Charger Duo among the finest wi-fi chargers, until you’d favor a setup to your automobile, just like the ESR Qi2 Wi-fi Automotive Charger.

What’s dangerous concerning the Samsung Wi-fi Charger Duo?

The value

The Wi-fi Charger Duo is dear. I believe it is well worth the $90, a lot in order that I purchased a second one at full value after the free unit I received final yr impressed me a lot, passing alongside my 1st-gen Duo to a pal. Fortunately, you will not usually have to spend the total $90. It is often discounted, particularly on Amazon, and Samsung usually bundles it as a pre-order bonus with new telephones or watches; I received my first one with my Watch 6.

Though it’s often obtainable for much less, and I consider it is well worth the $90 anyway, I am nonetheless compelled to checklist that MSRP as a unfavourable. Ninety {dollars} is quite a bit to spend on a wi-fi charger, and there shall be unfortunate customers who pay full value for it.

The one different unfavourable I can consider is that, due to the fan, it does entice mud, so you will need to wipe down the underside usually.

Do you have to purchase it?

To cite Emporer Palpatine: “Do it!” For those who usually wirelessly cost a tool aside from your smartphone, akin to a watch or wi-fi earbuds, this can be a handy option to prime up each concurrently. The fan ensures that peak charging speeds could be maintained for longer with out an excessive amount of warmth increase, and in case you have a Galaxy Watch, this can be a should have accent. The $90 value level could be steep, however the frequent reductions and even freebies make it a straightforward product to advocate, whether or not you employ a prime Samsung smartphone or not.