Wireless charging is generally safe for your iPhone battery and won’t cause any direct harm. There is some potential for the battery to degrade in the long run due to the excess heat caused by wireless charging, but iPhones are designed to limit this risk.
This post will examine if wireless charging will hurt an iPhone battery. I’ll explain why wireless charging is generally safe and why you shouldn’t worry much about it. I’ll also highlight some ways it can potentially damage the battery in the long run.
Let’s get after it.
Contents
Key Takeaways
- Wireless charging is not outright bad for your iPhone battery, and it shouldn’t cause any issues in the short term.
- There is the potential that the battery will degrade a bit faster than with wired charging, but Apple has done a lot of engineering to help eliminate this problem.
- Newer batteries and wireless charging systems should be safe to use and won’t hurt your battery.
Does Wireless Charging Hurt iPhone Battery?
Generally speaking, wireless charging does not have any negative impact on an iPhone battery. If you like to charge your iPhone wirelessly and avoid using a cable, you shouldn’t experience any issues in the long term.
Even though wireless charging is known to be safe for your iPhone battery, some people still choose to avoid this style of charging just to be sure. Some wireless charging setups have been known to degrade the total lifespan of a battery.
So why shouldn’t you worry about using wireless charging if it has the potential to degrade the battery in the long run? The truth is, most consumers won’t notice this degradation if it even occurs at all.
Apple has engineered iPhones to perform at high levels in many different situations. The company wouldn’t offer wireless charging capabilities if they thought it would be a long-term consumer problem.
And if Apple isn’t worried about the issue, you shouldn’t be either. Other types of smartphones might have a greater risk of battery damage when using wireless charging. But you don’t have much to worry about with an iPhone.
Wireless charging can be bad for the battery because this type of charging can generate more heat than wired charging. That excess heat can lead to performance issues after many charges.
Most people don’t keep their phones long enough to watch a battery degrade, and that’s another reason why there isn’t much to worry about with your iPhone and wireless charging.
Is Wireless Charging Good for iPhone?
Wireless charging isn’t really good or bad for your iPhone. It’s not something that will improve the performance of the phone, and it won’t harm it either. So if you want to use a wireless charger for whatever reason, go for it.
All of the accessories and functions of the iPhone are designed to work. If they didn’t, Apple wouldn’t release them. You don’t need to concern yourself with what is good or bad with things related to everyday use.
iPhones are built to last and function properly the entire time. So even if a slight issue with the battery was possible with wireless charging, most people aren’t likely to notice this as they go about their everyday lives.
Is Wireless Charging Safe Overnight?
Leaving your phone to charge wirelessly overnight is safe, and you shouldn’t see any issues. The phone can heat up because the charging process creates heat, but certain safety measures are in place to help prevent any related problems.
If you have an iPhone capable of wireless charging (iPhones 8 and above), it also comes built with software features that help prevent it from overheating. This can happen if you leave the phone on a wireless charger overnight.
The iPhone is designed to stop charging if it gets too hot. This is a safety measure to help safeguard the battery and improve its lifespan. It’s a nice feature that keeps your iPhone in good shape even if you aren’t paying close attention.
So even if you happen to leave your phone on the wireless charger overnight, you don’t need to worry about the heat issues because the phone will take care of it automatically. It just might not fully charge until it cools down.
iPhone software will allow the phone to continue charging when its temperature cools down. This feature self-regulates the phone’s temperature, so you don’t need to make any adjustments when wireless charging.
How to Choose a Wireless Charger for iPhone
Taking the following factors into account, your decision-making will be much easier.
Standard Type – Not Brand!
There are two types of wireless charging technology: QI and PWA. Apple uses the QI tech in their phones.
This means that any charger that supports other QI phones (such as Samsung and LG) will support your iPhone, even if it’s marketed for android phones.
You don’t need to purchase a fancy charger branded specifically for the iPhone XS. By the same coin, don’t purchase a PWA charger, as it won’t be compatible with the QI hardware inside your phone.
Technically, both types of charging function in the same way, but since they operate on different wavelengths your iPhone won’t be able to capture the power from a PWA charger.
Style
Wireless chargers aren’t like the cords that you can take anywhere at any time. These chargers will likely be left out in the open for the majority of the time, so you should pick something that meets your aesthetic expectations.
Chargers are available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors, so it will match any room you want to place it in.
Charging Speed
Technology isn’t perfect, which means that typically wireless tech lags a bit behind its wired counterparts.
Charging speeds will vary depending on the type and quality of your wireless pad. They usually come in 5W, 7.5W, or 10W models.
The former has a fairly standard charge rate while the latter will work much faster. Beware though, that wireless pads advertised as “quick charge” could be referring to the Samsung tech for Android phones and won’t actually work any faster with your iPhone XS.
What’s the Best Wireless Charger for iPhone?
It’s always best to use Apple’s MagSafe wireless charger. This is the best wireless charger for use with an iPhone and the only one Apple recommends. It will function well and help keep your battery in good working condition.
You might not get the same performance if you use a third-party wireless charger. This could potentially lead to battery issues and other performance concerns in the long run. It’s worth investing in the best charger for your iPhone, so go direct from Apple for this.
If you are not a fan of Apple’s pricey charger, here are a few that are worth considering:
1. Yootech 7.5W Wireless Charger
For a charger with a bit more power, this model from Yootech is a great choice. It has a green LED light indicator, sleep mode, temperature control, and other outstanding features. It’s capable of fast-charging your iPhone, which is a big accomplishment.
Pros:
- The LED light allows the device to send signals, but doesn’t disrupt sleep since it turns off after 16 seconds.
- It can quick-charge your iPhone, but you’ll need to make sure you’re using a certified cable and wall adapter for the pad.
- Doesn’t overheat or get painfully hot.
Cons:
- Does not come with a wall adapter. You will need to purchase the correct one separately.
2. Anker 5W Wireless Charger
A standard 5W charger on the surface, this particular pad from Anker works hard to run at safe temperatures and be effective even if your phone has a thick case. The sleek, circular pad will look good no matter where you place it.
Pros:
- Has built-in temperature control, object detection, and charging tech that will help it work up to 10% more efficient than other 5W chargers.
- The circular design makes for a great pad to rest your phone, and the simple design is ideal for any location.
Cons:
- Does not come with a wall adapter — when using your own, you’ll need to check that you’re using one that has enough amperage to run the pad.
- iPad adapters will work well, but the small iPhone bricks will be half as effective.
3. Seneo iPhone Wireless Charger
If you’d prefer to have your iPhone XS standing straight up instead of laying on a plate, the Seneo charger lets you do that. It creates a small shelf for your phone, so you can easily see any new notifications or other screen content at a glance. The base has built-in cooling and works with cases up to 5 mm in thickness.
Pros:
- Props your phone up so you can see it while charging without having to remove it from the stand.
- Includes smart cooling, automatic phone detection, and works with cases up to 5mm thick.
- Great for continuing to use your phone while it charges.
Cons:
- The bright light at the base doesn’t turn off or have a “sleep mode”.
Final Thoughts
Wireless charging does not pose any issues to your iPhone battery. While it’s true that wireless charging can create excess heat that could potentially damage the battery, iPhones are designed to stop charging when they’re too hot.
Wireless charging is convenient and worth looking into if it’s a feature you want. But regular wired charging is still effective and easy as well.
Have you used a wireless charger with your iPhone? Have you ever encountered any performance or battery issues? Let me know in the comments below.
