Samsung, as one of the leaders in smartphone technology, has embraced wireless charging in many of their recent models. This has led many Samsung users to wonder – can you use a Samsung wireless charger without plugging it into a power source?
The short answer is no. Samsung’s wireless chargers still need to be connected to an electrical outlet to function.
Wireless Chargers Require a Power Source
Given the physics behind how wireless chargers work, the pad or stand needs to be connected to a power source to generate the magnetic field in the first place. Without being plugged into an outlet, a Samsung wireless charger is just a passive pad or stand without any charging capability.
Some key points to remember:
- Samsung’s wireless chargers always need to be connected to an electrical outlet to function.
- The chargers have no battery or internal power supply – they simply transform the wired electricity into wireless power.
- Without being plugged in, the charging pad or stand can’t generate the magnetic field needed to charge devices.
Samsung Wireless Charger Models
Samsung offers several different wireless charger models designed for their smartphones. However, all of Samsung’s chargers require an electrical connection to work properly:
Samsung EP-P5000 Fast Charge Wireless Charging Stand
The Samsung EP-P5000 is a fast-charge wireless charging stand. It delivers up to 15W of power and works with Galaxy S10, S9, S8, Note 10, Note 9, and Note 8 models. However, it still needs to be connected to a wall outlet via the included power adapter and USB-C cable.
Samsung EP-N5100 Fast Charge Wireless Charging Stand
Another fast-charge wireless stand, the EP-N5100 delivers up to 9W of power for compatible Galaxy phones and Galaxy Watches. An LED indicator shows charging status. As with all of Samsung’s wireless chargers, the stand still requires connection to a power source.
Samsung EP-PG950 Wireless Fast Charging Pad
The EP-PG950 charging pad offers up to 10W fast wireless charging for Galaxy devices and iPhones. The sleek and compact pad charges efficiently, but needs to be plugged into an outlet to magnetically couple with devices and charge them.
Using a Power Bank Instead
Because Samsung’s wireless chargers have no internal battery, they can’t operate without being plugged into a wall outlet. However, some users may want the flexibility of a truly wireless charging solution.
In this case, you can use a portable power bank with built-in wireless charging capabilities. For example:
- Anker PowerCore III Elite 25600 PD 60W Portable Charger with 65W PD Charger – This power bank has a Qi wireless charging pad on top, allowing you to charge devices wirelessly on the go.
- RAVPower 16750mAh Portable Charger with Built-in Wireless Charging Pad – Similar power bank with integrated wireless charging from RAVPower.
With one of these portable power banks, you don’t need a wall outlet to wirelessly charge your Samsung devices. The power bank’s internal battery provides the power instead. Just note that the wireless charging won’t be quite as fast as Samsung’s wall chargers.
Using a USB Power Source
There are some niche cases where you may be able to power a Samsung wireless charger without a wall outlet. Some airplanes, cars, and battery packs provide USB ports for power. In theory, if you have a USB-C cable, you could potentially plug the wireless charger into the USB port to function.
However, this is not an officially supported use case by Samsung – it may only provide enough power for very slow wireless charging. The USB port would need to support 15W+ power delivery for the fastest Samsung wireless stands. So while possible in limited cases, wall outlet power is still recommended for full speed charging.
Inductive Charging vs. True Wireless Power Transfer
When evaluating wireless charging options, it helps to understand the differences between two major wireless power transfer approaches used in consumer devices today:
- Inductive charging – Relies on an electromagnetic field between two coils. Limited to short distances. Used by Samsung, Apple, and other major brands.
- True wireless power transfer – Transmits power over a distance through the air without coils. Still an emerging technology not in wide use yet.
Inductive charging, such as used by Samsung’s chargers, requires the device to be in close contact with the charging pad. In contrast, true wireless power transfer could theoretically charge devices from across a room.
True wireless power transfer is still in development and not widely available for consumer electronics. But it could become the next evolution for truly wire-free charging once the technology matures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to use my Samsung wireless charger without plugging it in?
Unfortunately no, Samsung’s current wireless chargers must be plugged into a wall outlet or other power source to function. The charger contains no internal battery and needs electricity to generate the magnetic field used for power transfer to devices.
Can I run a Samsung wireless charger from a portable battery pack?
You may be able to charge some Samsung devices slowly using a wireless charger powered by a battery pack. However, most battery packs don’t provide enough output for full speed wireless charging. You’ll get the best performance by plugging the wireless charger into an outlet.
Will wireless chargers ever work without needing a power cord?
Possibly in the future! The technology is trending towards true wireless power transmission that can charge devices from across a room without cables or charging pads. This would enable wire-free charging. But currently Samsung and most brands still use older inductive charging requiring pad contact.
Can Samsung wireless chargers use USB-C instead of a wall plug?
Samsung’s wireless chargers are designed to be plugged into a wall outlet, but some models may be compatible with USB-C power sources capable of 15W+ output. However, USB-C likely won’t provide full speed charging compared to an outlet due to power limitations.
Do third-party wireless chargers work without being plugged in?
A few third-party chargers on the market do have built-in batteries, allowing them to wirelessly charge devices without being plugged in. However, their output is lower than Samsung’s corded chargers, and the battery will need recharging after use.
The Verdict
Samsung’s current wireless chargers still require a wired power connection, advancements in the technology may one day enable true wire-free operation.
As wireless power transfer continues to evolve, capabilities will improve further and limitations will progressively be eliminated. Until then, plugging in Samsung’s charging pads or stands remains necessary to power up your devices efficiently and conveniently.
