Finally, wireless charging is getting the attention it deserves. Imagine, no more messy cords and cables cluttering your desk or drawer. No more hunting around for an available socket. All you have to do is place your phone on top of a wireless charging plate, and you are good to go. Mobile accessories firm Belkin promises to make that happen with its new Boost áUp Wireless Charging Pad. This is an entry-level 5W charging device for Qi-enabled smart devices, such as smartphones and tablets. It retails for Rs 2,999. Wireless charging, also known as inductive charging, is a convenient and cable-free way to charge your electronic devices. It requires two things: One, a charger, usually in the form of a puck, a mat or a stand that connects to a power source; two, a smartphone, smartwatch or other electronic device that is compatible with wireless charging. With these two in place, you’re ready to charge! Simply place your phone onto the charging base and charging starts immediately. It’s that simple. Let me also explain what Qi devices are all about. Qi is an established, evolving wireless charging standard owned by The Wireless Power Consortium and backed by more than 200 leading companies including Apple, Philips and Belkin. Their goal is to deliver wireless charging easily and safely, while ensuring compatibility across all devices that bear the Qi logo.
Back to the Belkin product. The Wireless Charging Pad provides a rapid and continuous wireless charging experience without the hassles of plugs and cables. It is compatible with some of the Samsung devices (Galaxy S3, Galaxy S4, Galaxy S5, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+, Galaxy Note 8), as well as with iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and the latest iPhone X. The Wireless Charging Pad comes with a Belkin Micro-USB Cable. The cable may also be used independently of the charging pad to charge any device with a micro-USB input. At my end, I deployed this Belkin unit to charge my wife’s iPhone X. The Wireless Charging Pad is stylish and has a portable design that is quite compact and travel-friendly; this allows the Wireless Charging Pad to easily fit in a pocket or bag. Its small footprint takes up minimal space on your desk and the elegant design blends in at home or in the office. Moreover, it is soft and smooth, providing a safe cushion while the device is charging.
The best part, the pad’s high-friction material grips the phone and prevents it from slipping. This charger uses Qi-certified transmitting coils to deliver charge to your phone wirelessly. No need to plug in when it’s time to power up, just lay your phone or other Qi-enabled device onto the charging pad. When the LED indicator lights up, your device is charging optimally. If you haven’t tried wireless charging yet, then it’s time that you did.
- Estimated street price: Rs 2,999
