Unveiling the Ultimate Battery Life Secret: The Surprising Winner in the Wireless vs Wired Charging Battle

Key Takeaways

Both wireless and wired fast chargers generate heat, which may degrade your battery over time, but it's not significant compared to other daily habits.

Both wired and wireless charging offer their own conveniences, allowing you to choose whichever method suits you best. However, it is worth noting that when it comes to charging speed, wired charging takes the lead, making it the preferred option for those who prioritize quick recharging.

Wireless vs. Wired Charging: Which Is Better?

Unfortunately, the answer isn't exactly clear-cut. To determine which charging technology is right for you, consider the following factors.

Charging Speed

As a surprise to no one, wired charging is significantly faster than wireless. The real question is, how much faster is it?

To get a rough idea, let's look at some numbers.

Qi wireless charging, which is employed by almost all smartphone manufacturers, including Apple, has become the universally accepted standard for inductive charging technology. Qi chargers typically extract 5 to 15 watts of power from the wall, and it generally takes approximately 3 to 4 hours to achieve a full charge. However, the charging time roughly ranges from 1 hour for a 0% battery level to 50% depending on the battery size.

In the case of wired charging, the majority of fast chargers can reach 50% battery capacity within 15 to 30 minutes by utilizing 20W to 50W of electricity.

Note that these wattages represent peak levels, and both wireless and fast chargers can only maintain these power outputs for brief periods before slowing down. Fast chargers are equipped with intelligent controllers that automatically reduce charging speed as the battery nears full capacity in order to minimize potential harm in the long run.

However, it is anticipated that the speed limitation of wireless chargers will likely be eliminated in the future. A prime example of this is the Honor Magic 4 Pro, a phone renowned for its incredibly fast wireless charging capabilities. With the use of the exclusive Honor SuperCharge stand, it can wirelessly charge at a remarkable 100W, reaching 50% battery capacity in just 15 minutes.

Still, that technology is a few years away from widespread adoption. If speed is the most important factor for you, wired chargers take the clear win.

Joe Robinson

Battery Life

It is probable that you have observed the warmth of your phone when it is being charged. Samsung clarifies that the generation of heat is a common occurrence during both wireless and fast charging processes, and it is considered an ordinary aspect of the device's operation.

Qi wireless chargers lose approximately 50% of the electricity to heat during phone charging, making the transfer of electricity through induction inefficient. This also clarifies the disparity between the mentioned wattage and charging speeds.

Likewise, fast charging generates a higher amount of undesired heat compared to slow wired charging, which adversely affects the battery of your smartphone.

Please note that there is a crucial distinction between wireless and wired charging. Unlike wired charging, wireless charging pads are located in close proximity to the battery. As a result, both the charging pad and the phone experience heat buildup, which ultimately causes degradation of the battery over time. This is precisely why high-quality wireless chargers are equipped with built-in fans to effectively maintain a low temperature.

In contrast, wired chargers do generate heat, but a significant portion of this heat dissipates through the charging brick instead of accumulating in the phone battery.

In contrast to wireless charging pads that generate heat during operation, wired chargers primarily dissipate heat through the charging brick.

Nevertheless, battery life is not a major concern, regardless of the charging method used, as degradation can only be minimized to a certain extent. Additionally, your phone incorporates built-in safety protocols to prevent overcharging or overheating.

If you feel like using one or the other, don't let battery life be a factor.

Hannah Stryker  

Convenience

If you or someone you know possesses a wireless charger, the primary reason behind its acquisition is not rapid charging or enhanced battery life but rather convenience. The sheer convenience of simply placing your phone on a wireless charging pad placed on your desk cannot be understated. With this, you will no longer have to deal with cables and power outlets, except when you need to relocate the pad within your room.

Another advantage of Qi wireless charging is its universality. If you own both an iPhone and an Android phone, you need not worry about searching for the correct charger to plug in. It simply functions without any hassle. Additionally, it eliminates concerns regarding damaged cables or charging ports.

Despite acknowledging the convenience of wireless chargers, do they truly surpass their wired counterparts in terms of convenience? After all, you cannot utilize your phone while it's charging unless you lean over at an angle to view your phone. Furthermore, wireless charging tends to be slower, creating the perception that charging takes an eternity, in contrast to a fast charger that can complete the task within 20–30 minutes.

In addition, a new EU law mandates that all portable electronics must now have USB Type-C as the standard connector. This means that you will be able to charge all smartphones using a single cable. However, to fully utilize the fast charging technology, you will still need to use compatible charging hardware.

Corbin Davenport

It's up to you to decide which is more convenient, as both have a unique set of features and drawbacks.

Cost

Wireless chargers are sold separate from other accessories and can range in price from around $20 for budget options to over $150 for chargers that can handle multiple devices. This additional purchase can be costly, especially considering that you may also need to buy a charging adapter or connect it to a compatible USB device, increasing the overall expense.

In the past, wired chargers were included with phones as a standard accessory. If your phone came with one, consider yourself fortunate. However, a growing number of smartphone manufacturers, like Apple and Samsung, have started following suit by excluding the power adapter from the package, forcing consumers to buy it separately. Nevertheless, the cost of adapters is usually more affordable compared to wireless chargers, typically falling within the $20 to $40 range.

We give the slight edge to wired chargers here, as they're somewhat cheaper and don't need a powered USB port or separately purchased power adapter to work.

How to Actually Increase Battery Longevity

Leaving your phone in direct sunlight should be avoided as much as possible to prolong its lifespan.

To minimize battery damage from charging cycles, it is recommended to limit charging your battery to 80%. However, this is not necessarily advised as it will permanently decrease your battery capacity by 20%. It is better to avoid letting your phone exceed 80% to 90% if you can remember and it is convenient.

Similarly, it is not necessary to completely drain your battery before charging it. This common misconception should be disregarded. Try to avoid letting your phone battery drop below 20% to 30% whenever possible.

Feel free to use either wired or wireless chargers without worrying about battery degradation beyond regular usage. To maintain a healthy battery in the long run, ensure it is kept away from heat sources and maintain the battery percentage between 20% and 90%.