The pitch for wireless charging is compelling: just drop your phone and walk away. No fumbling with cables, no wearing out the charging port. After eight months of using wireless charging as my primary method, I have thoughts. Some positive, some less so.
What Works Well
Let's start positive. There is something genuinely pleasant about setting your phone on a pad and not thinking about it. My nightstand setup with a Belkin 3-in-1 charger means I never hunt for cables at midnight. Phone, watch, AirPods, all in one spot. Every morning, everything is charged.
The convenience at my desk is similar. Between meetings, I drop my phone on the charger without breaking my workflow. It's become muscle memory in a way that plugging in a cable never was.
And the port wear issue is real. My previous iPhone's Lightning port got progressively flakier over two years of daily plugging. With wireless charging as my primary method, my current phone's USB-C port is pristine after almost a year.
The Frustrating Parts
Now for the reality check. Wireless charging is slower. Significantly slower. My iPhone charges from 20% to 80% in about 55 minutes with a cable. Wirelessly, even with a fast 15W MagSafe charger, it takes closer to 90 minutes.
When you need a quick charge before leaving, wireless won't cut it. I still keep a cable at my desk for those "I have 20 minutes and my phone is at 15%" moments.
Positioning Problems
Non-MagSafe wireless charging is finicky about positioning. I've woken up to a phone that charged to only 23% because it shifted slightly during the night. MagSafe's magnetic alignment mostly solves this, but only for iPhones.
My partner uses a Samsung Galaxy, and finding the sweet spot on her wireless charger requires more precision than it should. We've had multiple mornings of phones that weren't actually charging.
Heat: The Hidden Cost
Wireless charging generates more heat than wired charging. Physics makes this unavoidable, as energy is lost in the air gap between coils. My phone runs noticeably warmer on the wireless charger, especially during the first 30 minutes when charging is fastest.
Why does this matter? Heat degrades battery health over time. Apple and Samsung's battery optimization features help by limiting charge speed when hot, but they can't change thermodynamics. If you're keeping your phone for 3+ years, this is worth considering.
I've noticed my phone's maximum battery capacity dropped to 94% after ten months of heavy wireless charging. My previous phone, which I mostly charged via cable, was at 96% after the same period. Not a huge difference, but it exists.
What I Actually Use
Nightstand: Belkin 3-in-1
Expensive but worth it for the all-in-one convenience. The MagSafe integration means my phone always aligns correctly. Build quality is excellent. I bought this from Belkin's official store.
Desk: Anker 315 Pad
A simple, inexpensive pad that does its job. No frills, but reliable. I've had the same one for over a year with zero issues.
Car: Back to Cable
I tried several car wireless chargers and gave up. The combination of movement, heat from summer sun, and inconsistent power from car USB ports made them unreliable. A good cable mount works better for me.
My Verdict After Eight Months
Wireless charging is a convenience feature, not a replacement for wired charging. I use both: wireless for overnight and during work, wired when I need speed or reliability.
If you're considering switching entirely to wireless, I'd caution against it. Keep a quality cable accessible. But as part of your charging ecosystem, wireless has earned its place on my desk and nightstand.
One thing I'd wait on: wireless charging for laptops and tablets is still immature. The technology exists but efficiency losses make it impractical for now. Give it another few years.