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A Look at Qi Wireless Charging on Apple's iPhone 8 and What Qi Wireless Chargers Can Be Used

The latest Apple iPhone 8 now uses Qi wireless charging which had already being supported on several Android phones. From early models like the  Nexus 4 to more recent Android phones like the LG G6 and the Samsung Galaxy models, Android phones have supported Qi for some time. Apple still didn't adopt Qi when the wireless charging standard was introduced by its major rival Samsung on the highly popular Galaxy S6 but finally after Samsung introduced continued support of Qi with the Galaxy Note 8, Apple promoted support of Qi on its iPhone 8. This slower adoption is similar to how only now Apple is only supporting faster charging USB Power Delivery on its iPhone models starting with the iPhone 8 despite this technology having been available on several Android phones for some time.

The iPhone 8 doesn't try to support 15W possible with the latest Qi standard- rather it supports only up to 7.5W which is similar to Samsung's Fast Charge Wireless technology.  Both the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Note 8 also only support up to 7.5W of Qi charging, as do Samsung's own Qi chargers like the Fast Charge Wireless Charging Stand. 7.5W appears to be the main power level used for wireless charging by Apple and Samsung which is a little more than the 5W charger that gets shipped with the iPhone and 15W that is possible through USB Power Delivery.

To enable Qi wireless charging on the iPhone 8, you need to use compatible Qi wireless chargers. These chargers include brands like Belkin and Mophie with their own wireless charging docks. With Belkin, you can use the Belkin Qi Wireless Charging Pad or Belkin Boost Up 15-Watt Qi Compatible Wireless Charging Pad & Charger with your iPhone 8. 

The Belkin Qi Wireless Charging Pad supports the Qi Low Power to wirelessly output 5 watts of charging whereas the Belkin Boost Up 15-Watt Qi Compatible Wireless Charging Pad & Charger can offer faster charging up to 15 watts. Note the Belkin Boost Up 15-Watt Qi Compatible Wireless Charging Pad & Charger is a little overkill just for the iPhone 8  which can only use 7.5 watts, unless you plan to use the Belkin Boost Up 15-Watt Qi Compatible Wireless Charging Pad & Charger for charging either the latest Samsung Galaxy phones and the iPhone 8.

You can also wirelessly charge the iPhone using the mophie Charge Force Wireless Charging Base which also supports 5W through Qi Low Power.

It's also good to see that the iPhone 8 can even charge well even with Samsung's Fast Charge Wireless Charging Stand based on our own testing, which also works with the latest Samsung Galaxy Phones. Samsung obviously isn't an Apple accessory partner like Belkin and Mophie, but ironically they have a 7.5W charger that is just right for the iPhone's 7.5W Qi power consumption needs.

All these wireless chargers still require a wire to connect a USB charging cable from a USB power adapter to the wireless charging plate. Charging can only happen when the iPhone 8 is placed directly on top of the charging plate to automatically start Qi charging. Wireless charging is a bit of a misnomer since Qi only really save you the act of plugging the Lightning cable into the iPhone for charging.

Apple is also creating its own wireless charging derivation of Qi through the AirPower Mat, which unlike traditional Qi chargers will allow you to charge your iPhone 8, Apple Watch Series 3, and AirPods.