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Two induction chargers

Charge a phone without a cable

How does inductive charging work, what is Qi and which mobile phones can be charged wirelessly? You can get all of the important information here in our guide.

5 min read | Nov 17, 2021

At a glance: Charge a phone without a cable

  • Smartphones and charging stations have to support inductive charging
  • The Qi standard ensures compatibility across manufacturers
  • Fast wireless charging is possible with corresponding hardware
  • Wireless charging stations offer convenience and prevent wear
  • Many mobile phones already support wireless charging
  • It is also possible to upgrade inductive charging using accessories

How does inductive charging work?

Those who want to charge their phone without a cable can use inductive charging. Provided the smartphone has the corresponding technology on board. This is because inductive charging requires electrical coils to transfer voltage wirelessly.

Are you wondering how wireless charging works? How inductive charging works is easy to explain: The charging station creates a magnetic field with alternating voltage. This magnetic field also produces an alternating voltage in the compatible receiver coil. This allows you to charge your phone via inductive charging.

Illustration of the functioning of charging a phone without a cable

What is Qi?

Qi is a cross-manufacturer standard to charge mobile phones without cables. According to Qi, both the charging function and other aspects are standardised. These include properties relating to safety, user-friendliness and, last but not least, the interoperability of individual charging components from different brands. If your smartphone supports the now widespread Qi standard, you can charge it inductively on any Qi-certified charging station.

Wireless charging of a phone: Select the right charger

Depending on the usage and charging speed, there are various models that come into consideration as induction chargers for a mobile phone. Those wanting to charge their mobile phone without a cable can thus make use of a wide range of induction chargers. Desk models often also act as holders, so you can always keep your mobile phone in view.

Car chargers are particularly handy in everyday life: Simply get in and put your smartphone down to charge your phone without a cable. If your smartphone supports fast wireless charging, it is best to also use a corresponding charging station to charge your mobile phone wirelessly in the shortest time.

Is inductive charging harmful?

Some people worry due to the wireless transfer of energy. They wonder whether it is harmful to charge a mobile phone inductively. However, this does not present any danger. The charging technology has already been tried and tested for several smartphone generations and has even been used in electric toothbrushes for a while now.

Based on this experience, no harmful effects on the human body have so far been found. So, you have no need to worry about charging your mobile phone without a cable. Even the magnetic field created is so small that you have to position your smartphone precisely on the induction charger for the charging process to begin.

Illustration of the magnetic field of an inductive charging station

The electromagnetic radiation that creates inductive charging on a Qi charger is negligible, is only present during the active charging process and is additionally shielded and thus reduced by the charging technology. Ideally, simply remove your mobile phone from the charging station once it has been charged without a cable. This is recommended in any case if you want to charge your mobile phone in the correct way and protect the rechargeable battery.

Which mobile phones can be charged wirelessly?

Many brands have now dedicated themselves to charging the rechargeable battery with special technologies. Alongside ways to charge a mobile phone faster, there are also more and more Qi-enabled mobile phones on the market. Mobile phones with inductive charging are no longer limited to the flagship models, with this now also being a popular equipment feature for mid-range products. Which mobile phones can be charged wirelessly? We have put together the most important models for you in the following overview.

  • Apple models
    • iPhone 15 Pro Max
    • iPhone 15 Pro
    • iPhone 15 Plus
    • iPhone 15
    • iPhone 14 Pro Max
    • iPhone 14 Pro
    • iPhone 14 Plus
    • iPhone 14
    • iPhone 13 Pro Max
    • iPhone 13 Pro
    • iPhone 13
    • iPhone 13 mini
    • iPhone 12 Pro Max
    • iPhone 12 Pro
    • iPhone 12
    • iPhone 12 mini
    • iPhone 11 Pro Max
    • iPhone SE (2nd gen.)
    • iPhone XS Max
    • iPhone XS
    • iPhone XR
    • iPhone X
    • iPhone 8 Plus
    • iPhone 8
  • Google models
    • Pixel 6 Pro
    • Pixel 6
    • Pixel 5
    • Pixel 4 XL
    • Pixel 3 XL
    • Pixel 3
  • Huawei models
    • P40 Pro+
    • P40 Pro
    • P30 Pro
    • Mate RS
    • Mate 20 Pro
  • LG models
    • Velvet
    • V40 ThinQ
    • V30
    • G8S ThinQ
    • G7 ThinQ
  • Samsung models
    • Galaxy S24 Ultra
    • Galaxy S24+
    • Galaxy S24
    • Galaxy S23 Ultra
    • Galaxy S23+
    • Galaxy S23
    • Galaxy S22 Ultra
    • Galaxy S22+
    • Galaxy S22
    • Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
    • Galaxy S21 5G
    • Galaxy S20+
    • Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G
    • Galaxy S20 FE 5G
    • Galaxy S20 5G
    • Galaxy S10+
    • Galaxy S10 5G
    • Galaxy S10
    • Galaxy S10e
    • Galaxy S9+
    • Galaxy S9
    • Galaxy S8+
    • Galaxy S8
    • Galaxy S7 edge
    • Galaxy S7
    • Galaxy S6 edge+
    • Galaxy S6 edge
    • Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
    • Galaxy Note 10+
    • Galaxy Note 10
    • Galaxy Note 9
    • Galaxy Note 8
  • Sony models
    • Xperia XZ3
    • Xperia XZ2 Premium
    • Xperia XZ2
    • Xperia 1 II
  • Xiaomi models
    • Mi 11 Ultra
    • Mi Mix 25
    • Mi 10 Pro
    • Mi 10
    • Mi 9
Two mobile phones are being charged inductively

Easy inductive charging upgrade

Do you want to charge your mobile phone without a cable, but it is not Qi-compatible? Then you can easily upgrade inductive charging. For many smartphones, there are suitable adapters available that contain corresponding induction coils. You simply connect this type of adapter to the normal charging connection on your smartphone and then cleverly make it disappear under a cover. You can soon charge your mobile phone via induction and have no need to bother inserting and removing the charging cable.

As it happens, this also benefits the smartphone connection, which can soon become worn when plugs are inserted regularly. Those who charge their mobile phone without a cable will keep the charging connection on their smartphone as good as new for longer.