Wireless charging generally charges devices significantly slower than wired charging due to fundamental differences in energy transfer efficiency and power delivery.
Comparison of Charging Speeds
- Energy Transfer Efficiency: Wired charging connects the device directly to the power source, minimizing energy loss and allowing more power to reach the battery efficiently. Wireless charging transfers energy through electromagnetic fields, resulting in notable energy loss—about 20-30%—which lowers the effective power delivered to the device.
- Typical Power Output:
- Wireless charging usually delivers between 5W to 15W for mainstream Qi chargers, taking approximately 3 to 4 hours to fully charge a smartphone. For example, wireless charging can get a phone from 0% to 50% in about one hour.
- Wired charging with fast charging technologies can provide much higher power—commonly from 20W up to 66W or more—enabling significantly faster charging times. For instance, the HONOR Magic5 Pro with 66W wired charging can reach 50% battery in around 16 minutes and 80% in about 37 minutes.
- Charging Time Examples:
- Wireless: 0% to 50% in ~60 minutes; full charge in 3-4 hours.
- Wired (fast charge): 0% to 50% in 15-30 minutes depending on wattage, with fast wired chargers delivering bursts of high power initially to speed up charging.
- Heat Generation and Efficiency: Wired chargers do not transfer much heat to the device, increasing charging efficiency, whereas wireless charging tends to generate more heat, reducing overall efficiency and speed.
Summary
| Aspect | Wired Charging | Wireless Charging |
|---|---|---|
| Power Delivery | High (20W to 66W or more) | Lower (5W to 15W typical) |
| Charging Speed | Much faster (e.g., 0-50% in 15-30 mins) | Slower (e.g., 0-50% in ~1 hour) |
| Energy Efficiency | Very efficient, minimal loss | Less efficient, ~20-30% energy loss |
| Heat Generation | Less heat transfer to device | More heat generated |
| Typical Full Charge Time | 30 mins to 1 hour (fast charge) | 3 to 4 hours |
Wired charging remains the superior choice when speed is the priority, especially with the advent of fast-charging protocols. Wireless charging offers convenience but at the cost of slower charging times due to lower power delivery and energy losses involved in the inductive charging process.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-does-wireless-charging-compare-to-wired-charging-in-terms-of-speed/
