Wireless charging has become an increasingly popular and convenient way to charge our smartphones and other devices. Samsung has been at the forefront of supporting fast wireless charging technology in their flagship phones.
In this beginner’s guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how Samsung’s fast wireless charging works, the different standards supported, compatible chargers and devices, placement and usage tips, and troubleshooting advice.
How Does Fast Wireless Charging Work on Samsung Phones?
Wireless charging works by transferring energy from a power transmitter (charging pad/stand) to a receiver (mobile device) via electromagnetic induction. An induction coil in the transmitter creates an alternating electromagnetic field, which induces a current in the receiver’s coil to charge the device’s battery.
For fast wireless charging, Samsung phones support either 10W, 15W or 25W output levels. Higher wattages deliver more power and charge phones quicker. The fast wireless charging standards used by Samsung include:
- Qi standard (10W)
- Fast Wireless Charging 1.0 (15W)
- Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (15W)
- Super Fast Wireless Charging (25W)
Samsung Phone Models with Fast Wireless Charging
Here are some of the recent Samsung phone models that support fast wireless charging:
| Phone Model | Fast Wireless Charging Standard | Wattage |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra | Qi, Super Fast Wireless Charging | 15W, 25W |
| Samsung Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus | Qi, Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 | 15W |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 Series | Qi, Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 | 15W |
| Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Series | Qi, Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 | 15W |
| Samsung Galaxy S20 Series | Qi, Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 | 15W |
| Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Series | Qi, Fast Wireless Charging 1.0 | 15W |
| Samsung Galaxy S10 Series | Qi, Fast Wireless Charging 1.0 | 15W |
| Samsung Galaxy S9, S9+, Note 9 | Qi | 10W |
So in summary, Samsung’s recent flagship phones from the S9 onwards all support fast wireless charging to varying capacities. The latest models like the S22 series support the fastest 25W wireless charging.
Compatible Fast Wireless Chargers for Samsung
To take advantage of fast wireless charging speeds on your Samsung device, you need a compatible wireless charger. There are three main types of wireless chargers to consider:
1. Qi Certified Chargers
Any wireless charger that is certified for the universal Qi wireless charging standard will work with Samsung phones. However, they often only provide slower 5W to 10W wireless charging unless specifically noted to support faster speeds.
Examples of basic Qi chargers include: Anker PowerWave Pad, Choetech T511, RAVPowerCharging Pad and Belkin Boost Up Wireless Charging Pad.
2. Samsung’s Fast Charge Wireless Charger Stand/Pad
Samsung makes their own branded Fast Charge Wireless Charger Pad and Stand that support up to 15W fast wireless charging with compatible phones. These are engineered to safely deliver the faster charging speeds.
The stand model (seen above) nicely props up your device at an angle while charging. They come with a Fast Charge wall adaptor too.
3. Third-Party Fast Wireless Chargers
There are also many good third party fast wireless charging stands and pads available from reputable accessory makers like Anker, Belkin, Choetech and RAVPower.
Look for ones that explicitly advertise 15W or 25W fast charging for Samsung Galaxy phones. They will mention compatibility with Fast Wireless Charging or Super Fast Charging standards.
Examples include: Anker PowerWave 15 Pad, Belkin BoostCharge Pro Pad and RAVPower SuperFast 27.5W Charger.
Wireless Charging Tips
To get the best performance out of Samsung’s fast wireless charging, follow these usage tips:
- Use the right wall charger – The wireless charging pad needs to receive sufficient power from the wall adapter. Use the Fast Charging power adapter that comes with Samsung’s wireless charger.
- Keep the phone centered – Place the phone in the middle of the charging pad for maximum contact.
- Don’t use a phone case – Thick cases can interfere with charging effectiveness. Remove the case if possible.
- Only use one device – Don’t attempt to charge multiple devices at the same time.
- Don’t move the device – Try not to pick up or move the phone while charging.
- Situate away from other electronics – Position the charging pad away from things like credit cards or audio equipment that could be impacted.
- Check notifications – Your phone will notify you when fast wireless charging starts.
- Wait for 100% charge – Don’t interrupt the charging cycle for optimal battery health.
Comparing Regular Wireless vs Fast Wireless Charging
To better understand fast wireless charging, it helps to compare it against regular wireless charging speeds:
- Regular wireless charging uses the Qi inductive charging standard which provides charging power between 5W to 10W.
- Fast wireless charging supported by Samsung can go up to 15W or 25W for much quicker charging times.
For example, to wirelessly charge a 3000 mAh battery from 0 to 50%:
- 5W charging would take around 2 hours
- 10W charging would take 1 hour
- 15W charging would take 40 minutes
- 25W charging would take just 25 minutes
So fast wireless charging can deliver a full charge 2 to 3 times faster compared to standard wireless charging. The convenience becomes even more apparent for quick “top up” charging when you just need to get from 20% to 70% battery in very little time.
Is Fast Wireless Charging Safe for Samsung Phones?
With wireless charging transferring more electrical power, it’s natural to wonder whether fast wireless charging is safe for your device. The good news is that Samsung has implemented various safeguards to make sure fast wireless charging does not damage your phone or battery.
Safety features include:
- Built-in voltage regulators
- Temperature monitoring
- Foreign object detection
- Over-voltage protection
The tight integration between Samsung phones and compatible Samsung-certified wireless chargers also ensures that proper protocols are negotiated so that the correct power profile is used.
While there were some overheating concerns with early wireless charging implementations, the technology has matured to become very safe today. As long as you use Samsung’s own branded charging pads or quality third-party Qi chargers, you should not have to worry about safety.
Maximizing Wireless Charging Speed
To maximize how quickly your Samsung phone charges wirelessly, follow these tips:
- Use a Samsung Super Fast Charger for up to 25W output.
- Connect charger to a wall adapter capable of at least 25W delivery.
- Use the included power adapter and USB-C cable for highest Amp range.
- Remove any phone case which can impact coil alignment.
- Position phone in exact center of charging pad for best magnetic coupling.
- Situate phone flat on its back for better surface contact.
- Keep the phone and charger at room temperature. Avoid hotenvironments.
- Update both phone and charger firmware to latest available version.
- Use airplane mode to avoid battery drain from cellular signal searching.
- Turn off Always On Display which sips battery in background.
Following those simple steps will help you achieve the peak fast wireless charging speeds advertised for your Samsung device.
Pros and Cons of Fast Wireless Charging
Here is a look at some of the key advantages and disadvantages of using Samsung’s fast wireless charging technology:
Pros
- Faster charging times save you time
- More convenient than plugging in a cable
- Allows charging in hard to reach places
- Less wear and tear on charging port
- Can still use phone while charging
- Works through phone cases and mounting plates
- Standardized technology with wide ecosystem
- Sophisticated safety mechanisms prevent overheating
Cons
- More expensive than wired charging
- Standby power consumption wastes some energy
- Generates more heat than wired charging
- Alignment and position affects charging speed
- Slower than direct wall charging
- Limited use while charging compared to cords
- Case compatibility can be an issue
- Security concerns of wireless power hacks
Overall, for most users, the convenience benefits of fast wireless charging far outweigh the limitations. But wires will still have their use cases too.
Wireless Charging Myths and Facts
There are a lot of misconceptions and myths surrounding wireless charging capabilities. Let’s separate the facts from fiction:
Myth: Wireless charging works over long distances
Fact: The inductive wireless charging used by Samsung devices today requires the phone to be in direct contact with the charging pad. The effective charging range is only a few millimeters at most. Truly long distance wireless power transmission still remains a future technology goal.
Myth: Wireless charging is just as fast as wired
Fact: Fast wireless charging tops out at around 25 watts, while wired charging can go up to 45 watts for current Samsung phones. Wired will still charge faster in most cases.
Myth: Wireless charging degrades your battery faster
Fact: Modern wireless charging is designed to avoid excessive heat and electrical surges that could damage batteries. Normal degradation still occurs, but wireless should not appreciably impact battery lifespan.
Myth: You can charge multiple devices at once
Fact: The best practice is to charge just a single device at a time on a wireless charging pad. Most are not designed to charge more than one phone efficiently.
Myth: Wireless charging works through thick cases
Fact: Very thick or rugged cases can sometimes impede wireless charging effectiveness and alignment. Thinner cases generally work fine.
Myth: Wireless charging is inefficient
Fact: Early wireless chargers wasted over 50% of energy as heat loss. But new standards are well over 90% efficient, on par with wired charging efficiency.
Common Wireless Charging Issues
While wireless charging is generally reliable, some intermittent issues can arise. Here are solutions to some of the most frequently reported wireless charging problems.
Phone Gets Hot
It’s normal for phones to heat up slightly during wireless charging. But if your phone is getting uncomfortably hot, try repositioning the phone on the pad or using a lower power charger.
Charging Keeps Starting and Stopping
If charging keeps starting and stopping, the coil alignment may be off. Make sure the phone is centered on the pad. Debris between the phone and charger can also interrupt charging.
LED Indicator Not Lighting Up
If the wireless charger’s LED indicator fails to light up, the issue may be with the AC power supply. Inspect connections and try replacing the wall adapter.
Charging Very Slow
For abnormally slow wireless charging, use a higher rated wall adapter. Old and underpowered adapters can’t provide enough current.
Phone Not Recognizing Charger
On Samsung phones, you’ll get a notification when fast wireless charging starts. If missing, the phone’s coil may be misaligned with the charger. Reposition the phone.
Restarting the phone can also help if it is not detecting the wireless charger properly.
Interference From Metal Objects
Keep chargers far away from large metal objects which can redirect the magnetic charging field. Also remove credit cards from your phone case when charging.
Maximizing Battery Health While Wirelessly Charging
To keep your phone’s battery in optimum health when regularly using wireless charging, follow these battery best practices:
- Avoid overcharging – Unplug once fully charged
- Don’t let battery fully drain too often
- Avoid exposing phone to high heat
- Charge battery to around 50% for long-term storage
- Limit use of fast charging to when you need it
- Cycle up and down between 20-80% charge levels
- Charge to 100% once every few weeks for calibration
- Avoid using phone while fast wireless charging
- Replace battery after around 500 charge cycles
Following the above guidelines will help ensure you get the maximum battery lifespan. Moderation is key – wireless charge when convenient, but avoid excessive fast charging or overcharging when possible.
Leaving Phone Plugged In Overnight
We’ve all been tempted to leave our phones charging on a wireless pad overnight while we sleep. But is this a safe and healthy charging practice?
The good news is that leaving your Samsung device plugged into a wireless charger all night generally won’t cause harm. After hitting 100%, the charging current drops to protect the battery.
However, there are a few precautions to keep in mind:
- Use a quality, certified wireless charger from a reputable brand.
- Don’t place anything on top of a charging phone, as it could overheat.
- Make sure cables are out of the way to avoid tripping hazards.
- Keep all flammable materials away from charger.
- Don’t charge under pillows, blankets or other soft surfaces.
- Avoid charging in very hot rooms that could impact battery health.
Charging overnight will not immediately ruin your battery. But leaving a phone constantly charging when not needed does accelerate capacity degradation over the device’s lifetime.
International Travel Guide for Wireless Charging
Want to keep wirelessly charging your Samsung device while traveling abroad? Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Check Wireless Standards
Confirm your phone and wireless charger support global standards like Qi, which has broad international compatibility.
Verify Power Adapters
Some countries use different wall outlets and voltages. Bring plug adapters and a voltage converter if needed.
Research Public Charging Stations
Many airports, hotels and restaurants worldwide now offer wireless charging hotspots. Look up availability in advance.
Notify Credit Card Company
If using foreign public charging stations, let your credit card company know to prevent potential fraud alerts when abroad.
Carry Backup Battery Pack
Bring a portable battery pack for charging on the go in areas with limited public charging access.
Download Offline Maps/Translate
Pre-download language packs, offline maps and translation apps to conserve battery when without wireless charging access.
With a bit of preparation, you can stay charged wirelessly across borders. Bon voyage!
Wireless Charging in Different Usage Scenarios
Wireless charging can be extremely convenient in certain usage scenarios. Here are some of the best applications:
Office Desk Charging
Add a wireless charging stand or pad to your work desk or cubicle for easy top ups throughout the day.
Nightstand Charging
Wireless chargers are perfect nightstand companions, keeping your device charged without messy cables.
In-Car Charging
Wirelessly charge while commuting by mounting your phone on a car mount with built-in charging coil.
Coffee Shop Charging
More coffee shops are adding wireless charging tables. Just place your phone down while enjoying your coffee.
Waiting Room Charging
Pass the time in waiting rooms by taking advantage of Qi charging hotspots.
Anywhere you’ll be stationary for an extended period, wireless charging can slowly top up your phone in the background.
Comparison: Flat Pad vs Vertical Stand Wireless Chargers
There are two main form factors of wireless chargers – flat pads and angled stands. What are the differences?
Wireless Charging Pads
Benefits of flat charging pads:
- Lower profile is easy to fit in more places
- Can double sided tape or stick anywhere
Choosing a Wireless Charging Spot at Home
Where you place your wireless charger at home can impact convenience and charging speed. Here are some tips on picking the optimal spot:
- Living Room End Table – Easy to reach while relaxing on the couch.
- Nightstand – Charge your phone overnight without messy wires.
- Kitchen Counter – Cook and watch videos while charging.
- Office Desk – Frequently top up your phone during work.
- Entryway Table – Grab a quick boost as you head out the door.
- Bedside Shelf – Within arm’s reach if using phone before bed.
- Entertainment Center – Juice up between gaming or Netflix binges.
- Bathroom Counter – Listen to music while charging and getting ready.
Consider a high traffic home location where you will actually place your phone down often during the day. Having to go out of your way to charge defeats the purpose.
