Both wired and wireless smartphone charging speeds continue their upward trajectory in 2021, but would you be ok with sacrificing that speed for freedom from the cable or charging pad?
Last month Xiaomi demonstrated its over-the-air wireless charging concept and now local rival Oppo is teasing its vision for the future of true-wireless charging.
During MWC Shanghai 2021 (which is hosting in-person clientele, but that’s another story for another time), Oppo unveiled its Wireless Air Charging Tech.
While Xiaomi promises to beam its charging tech across an entire room, Oppo’s appears a little more imminently plausible. By hovering the phone above the wireless charging pad, the phone is still able to receive charge at 7.5W over a short distance of 10cm or less.
Related: Best smartphones
The video, even shows the concept working if the phone is tilted in various directions. That of course, would be handy if you wanted to actually look at your phone. Featured within the teaser video is Oppo’s rollable Oppo X concept, which was announced late last year.
At #MWC21 this year we're showcasing the next evolution in charging ⚡
Presenting Wireless Air Charging – no cable, no charging stand, just freedom to move! #OPPOxMWC21 pic.twitter.com/ZCodQvT9Gm
— OPPO (@oppo) February 23, 2021
Xiaomi’s planned tech would be able to deliver 5W of power around the room, using a base station, but has greater range. The new tech uses a base station containing 144 antennas, which can transfer energy to the phone using a “extremely narrow millimetre-wide beam” capable of transmitting continuous 5W charging (within a few metres) to a compatible smartphone.
Xiaomi explained: “The core technology of Xiaomi’s remote charging lies in space positioning and energy transmission. Xiaomi’s self-developed isolated charging pile has five phase interference antennas built in, which can accurately detect the location of the smartphone. A phase control array composed of 144 antennas transmits millimeter-wide waves directly to the phone through beamforming.”
The teased new tech comes as the likes of Apple’s MagSafe tech breaks new ground for wireless charging on iOS, while Android manufacturers push towards 65W wireless charging. Will the added flexibility be worth sacrificing these speed gains?
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
