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Wireless charging continues to emerge as a popular “necessity” with the release of each new smartphone cycle. But is wireless charging really all that, well, wireless? I’ve always been a bit taken aback by the mildest of conveniences afforded by wireless charging while the downsides are seemingly ignored.
Energy inefficiency, adverse environmental impact, potential battery woes and even inability to use your own device are among the top downsides of wireless charging. Let’s take a closer look at how wireless charging might not be as ideal as it initially appears.
Efficiency
One of the primary concerns with wireless charging lies in its efficiency. Unlike wired charging, where power flows directly from the charger to the device, wireless charging relies on electromagnetic fields to transfer energy. Unfortunately, this method introduces energy losses during transmission, leading to decreased charging efficiency. In simpler terms, this means that wireless charging can take longer and result in less effective power delivery when compared to its wired counterpart.
Environmental Impact
Wireless charging systems require additional power to operate. They rely on energy-hungry components such as charging pads and transmitters, which contribute to increased power consumption. Wireless chargers often remain plugged in even when not in use, continuously drawing power from the grid. This standby power usage adds up over time, leading to wasteful energy consumption.
The rise of wireless charging has also led to an increase in e-waste. Incompatibilities between different wireless charging standards mean that users often need to replace their chargers when upgrading to a new device. This unnecessary disposal of functional chargers adds to the growing problem of waste, impacting the environment and sustainability efforts. While yes, this can also occur with traditional wired charging, there is at least a successful push to make USB-C the universal standard in charging cables. The upcoming release of the iPhone 15 shows even Apple has relented and added USB-C charging.
