The S23 Ultra supports faster wireless charging speeds than previous Galaxy models, thanks to an upgraded wireless charging coil.
Here is an overview of the S23 Ultra’s expected wireless charging speeds and how they compare to other Galaxy devices.
S23 Ultra Wireless Charging Speeds
The S23 Ultra supports up to 10W wireless charging speeds out of the box. This is a bump up from the S22 Ultra’s maximum wireless charging speed of 9W.
However, Samsung will also introduce a “Wireless Charger 2.0” alongside the S23 series that supports faster 15W wireless charging. So with this new charger, the maximum wireless charging speed of the S23 Ultra jumps up to 15W.
Here is a comparison of the S23 Ultra’s wired and wireless charging capabilities:
- Wired charging speed: Up to 45W with optional 45W charger
- Wireless charging speed: Up to 10W with stock wireless charger, up to 15W with Wireless Charger 2.0
How S23 Ultra Wireless Charging Compares to Other Galaxy Models
The S23 Ultra brings a moderate upgrade in wireless charging speeds over recent Galaxy flagships. Here is how it compares:
| Device | Max Wireless Charging Speed |
|---|---|
| S23 Ultra | 15W |
| S22 Ultra | 9W |
| S21 Ultra | 9W |
| S20 Ultra | 9W |
As you can see, the S23 Ultra makes a noticeable jump over the past few generations of Galaxy devices. The 15W charging speed matches that of last year’s Galaxy S22+, so Samsung is bringing its very fastest wireless charging capabilities to its new Ultra model.
How Fast is 15W Wireless Charging?
A 15W wireless charging speed represents a solid speed boost over slower wireless chargers. However, it still lags behind the fastest wired charging solutions.
To help give a sense of how fast 15W charging is, here is an example charging timeline:
- 15 minutes of charging: ~20% battery charge
- 30 minutes of charging: ~40% battery charge
- 60 minutes of charging: ~65% battery charge
- A full charge takes around 1 hour 45 minutes
So while not as fast as wired charging, you can still get a decent boost in just 30 minutes on a 15W wireless charger. It provides a good balance of speed and convenience.
Factors That Affect Wireless Charging Speeds
While the S23 Ultra is capable of 15W wireless charging speeds, the actual charging rate can be affected by several factors:
- Charging pad – The wireless charger must support 15W output to deliver the max charging speed. If it is a lower 5W or 10W pad, charging will be slower.
- Device heat – Wireless charging can cause devices to heat up more than wired charging. If the device gets too hot, charging speeds may throttle down automatically.
- Alignment – The device must be aligned properly with charging coils on the pad for maximum power transfer and speed.
- Case/shell – Thick or metallic phone cases can inhibit wireless charging speeds.
Under ideal conditions, the S23 Ultra can charge at the full 15W rate. But actual speeds may vary in real world usage depending on these factors.
Wireless Charging Damage Battery?
Some people worry that faster wireless charging, like 15W speeds, could degrade the battery over time. However, modern battery management systems and charging technologies are designed to avoid this.
Samsung uses intelligent adaptive fast charging methods that monitor the charging process and adjust power delivery to minimize battery wear. They regulate factors like:
- Charging voltage
- Charging current
- Internal temperatures
This adaptive charging allows wireless power delivery at up to 15W while maintaining safe temperatures and conditions for the battery. As a result, charging at 15W speeds should not cause meaningful deterioration compared to slower wireless charging.
Extensive testing and safe charging practices allow modern batteries to withstand the rigors of faster charging. You can comfortably charge your S23 Ultra wirelessly at max supported speeds without excess long-term battery degradation.
Wireless PowerShare
In addition to wireless charging, Samsung Galaxy phones like the S23 Ultra support Wireless PowerShare. This allows you to wirelessly charge other devices by placing them on the back of your phone.
The S23 Ultra will support Wireless PowerShare up to 10W. So you can charge accessories like wireless earbuds, smartwatches, or even other phones by using your S23 Ultra as the charging pad.
While not as fast as a wall charger, PowerShare provides a convenient way to wirelessly top off your other devices in a pinch. Combined with fast 15W charging of the S23 Ultra itself, you’ll have all the wireless power capabilities you need.
Is the S23 Ultra’s Wireless Charging Fast Enough?
At the end of the day, the question is whether the S23 Ultra’s upgraded 15W wireless charging speed is fast enough for most people’s needs.
For many users, 15W offers a good balance between speed and convenience. It’s not the ultra fast charging of wired solutions, but it’s a solid improvement over older and slower wireless charging standards.
Being able to get a 40% charge in just 30 minutes is pretty quick for wireless charging. And the ability to fully charge in around 1 hour 45 minutes is respectable.
While wired charging is still faster, 15W wireless charging on the S23 Ultra closes the gap considerably. Unless you absolutely need the fastest charging possible, the improved wireless charging speeds should satisfy most people.
The S23 Ultra strikes a great middle ground – fast enough wireless charging to be quite usable day to day, while still offering the fastest possible wired charging for when you need maximum speeds.
Comparing Wireless Charging Standards
There are a few different industry standards for wireless charging that deliver varying charging speeds. Here’s an overview of common wireless charging standards and how fast they can charge:
| Standard | Max Charging Speed |
|---|---|
| Qi standard (5W) | 5W |
| Qi standard (10W) | 10W |
| Qi standard (15W) | 15W |
| Proprietary fast wireless charging | 15W-30W |
The S23 Ultra uses the Qi wireless charging standard at up to 15W speeds. Proprietary charging solutions from brands like OPPO, Xiaomi, and Huawei can sometimes charge slightly faster, but Qi charging has the advantage of wider compatibility with charging pads.
Wireless Charging Coil Placement
Where the wireless charging coil is located inside a phone can affect charging speeds and usability. There are two approaches used:
- Center coil – The coil is centered on the back of the phone. This provides the most consistent charging experience regardless of placement, but limits battery size.
- Offset coil – The coil is moved off-center, usually towards the bottom of the phone. Allows for larger battery but can be pickier about phone alignment on the charger.
According to leaks, the Galaxy S23 Ultra will use a center-aligned wireless charging coil. This should make charging straightforward no matter where you place the phone on a wireless charging pad.
Wireless Charging Through Cases
One complication with wireless charging is that certain phone cases can interfere with charging speeds and performance. Let’s take a look at which cases work best.
- Plastic cases – Thin plastic cases usually don’t affect wireless charging speeds noticeably. Durability may be compromised however.
- Silicone cases – Silicone rubber cases work well for wireless charging. They offer more protection without reducing speeds.
- Leather cases – Leather and faux leather offer stylish protection. But the material can inhibit wireless charging if too thick.
- Metal/magnetic cases – Metal and magnetic cases often block wireless charging completely. Remove the case before charging.
Your best bet is using a thin, non-metallic case specifically designed to be wireless charging friendly. Look for cases advertised as “Qi compatible”.
Wireless Charging Durability
Some users worry whether constantly wireless charging their phone will cause problems from the heat and electromagnetic signals. However, wireless charging is designed to avoid component degradation.
For heat, wireless charging coils and circuits are isolated from other electronics. The phone’s design dissipates any excess heat buildup away from key components.
EM shielding in the receiver coil and strategic placement also protect electronics from electromagnetic interference. Charging stops before fields get strong enough to cause issues.
Brands thoroughly test the long term durability of wireless charging during product design. As long as you use a reputable wireless charging stand from a quality brand, durability should not be affected.
Charging Multiple Devices Simultaneously
Some wireless chargers support charging two or even three devices at once. This allows simultaneously charging your phone, earbuds case, and smartwatch for example.
Charging multiple devices splits the charger’s power output. So instead of each device getting the full 15W charging rate, they may be limited to around 5W-10W when sharing a pad.
While slower, multi-device chargers provide a convenient charging hub to top up your gadgets in one place. Brands like Samsung, Belkin, and Mophie make great 3-in-1 chargers purpose-built for this usage.
Closing Thoughts on Wireless Charging
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra pushes wireless fast charging speeds up to 15 watts, bringing enhanced convenience without sacrificing too much speed. While not revolutionary, improved charging rates keep Samsung’s flagship competitive with other top devices.
With charging innovations coming from Apple, Google, and other brands, wireless charging tech has room for even greater advancements. Truly cable-free long range wireless charging would be the ultimate goal.
But for now, the S23 Ultra strikes an appealing balance of offering both fast wired charging when you need it, plus the very best Samsung wireless charging experience when convenience matters most.
