Induction Charger & Wireless Charging Guide UK — How Induction Charging Works
Everything you need to know about induction chargers, cordless charging pads and wireless charging for iPhone & Samsung. From the physics of electromagnetic induction to choosing the best charge pad for your phone.
Key Takeaways
- Induction charging = wireless charging = cordless charging = Qi charging — they all refer to the same electromagnetic induction technology
- Every iPhone since the iPhone 8 supports induction charging; iPhone 12+ adds magnetic alignment
- Qi2 is the latest standard — magnetic snap-on alignment, 15W speeds, works with iPhone AND Samsung
- Induction charging is safe for battery health — Qi2's perfect alignment generates minimal excess heat
- Our top pick: Anker MagGo 15W Qi2 Pad — best value induction charger for iPhone in the UK
In This Article
What Is Induction Charging?
An induction charger is a device that charges your phone without plugging in a cable. Instead of a physical electrical connection, it uses electromagnetic induction — the same physics principle discovered by Michael Faraday in 1831 — to transfer energy wirelessly from a charging pad to your phone.
Different Names, Same Technology
You'll see induction charging referred to by many names online. They all describe the same underlying technology:
The term “inalambric charger” (from Spanish inalámbrico, meaning wireless) is commonly searched by multilingual users looking for wireless iPhone chargers. Whether you search for “induction charger iPhone”, “cordless iPhone charger”, or “charge pad iPhone”, you're looking for the same product: a Qi or Qi2 certified wireless charging pad.
Why “Induction”? The word comes from the physics process: a coil of wire in the charger creates a changing magnetic field, which induces (generates) an electric current in a second coil inside your phone. No wires touch. No connectors wear out. You simply place your phone on the pad.
Induction charging has been a mainstream feature in smartphones since 2017, when Apple added Qi wireless charging to the iPhone 8 and iPhone X. Today, virtually every flagship phone from Apple, Samsung, Google, and OnePlus supports it. The latest evolution — Qi2 — adds magnetic alignment for faster, more reliable cordless charging.
How Electromagnetic Induction Works in Chargers
Understanding the science behind your induction charger helps you get the most out of it — and explains why alignment, distance, and standards matter so much.
Alternating Current Flows Through the Transmitter Coil
When you plug in your induction charger, AC power from the wall flows through a flat copper coil inside the pad. This creates an alternating electromagnetic field that radiates upward from the charger surface.
The Magnetic Field Passes Through Your Phone Case
The electromagnetic field passes through non-metallic materials (plastic cases, glass phone backs) with minimal energy loss. This is why induction charging works through cases up to ~3mm thick.
The Receiver Coil Converts the Field Back to Current
Inside your phone, a matching copper coil intercepts the magnetic field. By Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction, the changing magnetic field induces an alternating current in this receiver coil.
Rectification and Voltage Regulation
Your phone's internal circuitry converts the induced AC current back to DC, regulates the voltage, and feeds it to the battery. The Qi protocol manages communication between charger and phone to negotiate safe power levels.
Why Alignment Matters So Much
For maximum energy transfer, the transmitter coil (in the charger) and receiver coil (in your phone) need to overlap as closely as possible. Even 5mm of misalignment can reduce charging efficiency by 20-30%, with the lost energy converting to heat.
This is exactly why Qi2 and MagSafe added magnets — the magnetic ring snaps the coils into perfect alignment every time, boosting efficiency from ~65% (misaligned Qi1) to ~85% (Qi2). Less wasted energy means less heat, faster charging, and better battery health.
Qi vs Qi2 vs MagSafe: Induction Charging Standards Compared
Not all induction chargers are the same. Three main standards govern wireless charging today, and understanding the differences helps you choose the right cordless charger for your phone.
Qi (Original)
The original Qi standard (2010). No magnetic alignment — you manually place your phone and hope the coils line up. Still works, but less efficient and slower for iPhones (7.5W cap).
Qi2
The latest open standard (2023+). Magnetic snap-on alignment, 15W for iPhone & Samsung, universal compatibility. The future of induction charging — and the standard to buy in 2026.
MagSafe
Apple's proprietary magnetic induction system (2020). Identical magnetic ring to Qi2 — Apple donated this tech to create Qi2. 15W for iPhones only, requires Apple MFi certification.
| Feature | Qi (Legacy) | Qi2 | MagSafe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official Name | Qi (v1.0-1.3) | Qi2 (v1.0, v2.0) | MagSafe |
| Max Power (iPhone) | 7.5W | 15W | 15W |
| Max Power (Android) | 15W | 15W (v1.0), 30W+ (v2.0) | N/A |
| Magnetic Alignment | None | Yes (open standard) | Yes (Apple only) |
| Charging Efficiency | 60-75% | 80-88% | 85-90% |
| Brand Compatibility | Universal | Universal (growing) | Apple only |
| Certification | WPC Qi | WPC Qi2 (open) | Apple MFi (costly) |
| Foreign Object Detection | Basic | Advanced | Advanced |
| Future Development | Legacy (no updates) | Active (v3.0 roadmap) | Converging with Qi2 |
Our Recommendation: For UK buyers in 2026, buy a Qi2-certified induction charger. It works with all iPhones (12+), Samsung Galaxy S25, Google Pixel 9, and more. It's backward compatible with older Qi phones too — you just won't get magnetic alignment. One charger for every phone in your household.
Induction Charger for iPhone — Compatibility Table
Looking for an induction charger for iPhone? Every iPhone from the iPhone 8 onwards supports wireless induction charging. Here's exactly what speed each model supports with different charger types — so you can pick the right charge pad for your iPhone.
| iPhone Model | Qi | MagSafe | Qi2 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16 / 16 Plus / 16 Pro / 16 Pro Max | 7.5W | 15W | 15W (native) | Full Qi2 + MagSafe support |
| iPhone 15 / 15 Plus / 15 Pro / 15 Pro Max | 7.5W | 15W | 15W (update) | Qi2 via software update |
| iPhone 14 / 14 Plus / 14 Pro / 14 Pro Max | 7.5W | 15W | 7.5W | MagSafe magnets, no native Qi2 |
| iPhone 13 / 13 Mini / 13 Pro / 13 Pro Max | 7.5W | 15W | 7.5W | MagSafe magnets, no native Qi2 |
| iPhone 12 / 12 Mini / 12 Pro / 12 Pro Max | 7.5W | 15W | 7.5W | First with MagSafe magnets |
| iPhone 11 / 11 Pro / 11 Pro Max | 7.5W | N/A | N/A | Qi only, no magnets |
| iPhone XS / XS Max / XR | 7.5W | N/A | N/A | Qi only, no magnets |
| iPhone X | 7.5W | N/A | N/A | Qi only, no magnets |
| iPhone 8 / 8 Plus | 7.5W | N/A | N/A | First iPhones with Qi |
Which Induction Charger Should You Get for Your iPhone?
- iPhone 16 / 15: Get a Qi2 induction charger for 15W magnetic charging — best speed and alignment
- iPhone 14 / 13 / 12: A Qi2 charger works magnetically at 7.5W; a MagSafe charger gives you 15W if certified
- iPhone 11 / X / 8: Any Qi induction charger works at 7.5W — magnetic alignment not available
Induction Charger for Samsung Galaxy
Samsung has supported wireless induction charging since the Galaxy S6 in 2015. The Galaxy S25 series marks Samsung's transition to the Qi2 standard with native magnetic alignment — a game-changer for cordless Samsung charging.
| Samsung Model | Wireless Speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S25 / S25+ / S25 Ultra | 15W Qi2 | Native Qi2 magnetic alignment |
| Galaxy S24 / S24+ / S24 Ultra | 15W Qi | Qi1 only, no magnetic alignment |
| Galaxy S23 / S23+ / S23 Ultra | 15W Qi | Qi1 only |
| Galaxy S22 / S22+ / S22 Ultra | 15W Qi | Qi1 only |
| Galaxy S21 / S21+ / S21 Ultra | 15W Qi | Qi1 only |
| Galaxy Z Fold 6 / Z Flip 6 | 15W Qi2 | Qi2 on foldables |
| Galaxy Z Fold 5 / Z Flip 5 | 10W Qi | Qi1 only |
| Galaxy S20 / S10 / S9 / S8 / S7 / S6 | 5-15W Qi | Qi1, speeds vary by model |
Samsung + Qi2 = Universal Charging: With the Galaxy S25 series adopting Qi2, Samsung and iPhone now share the same magnetic induction charging standard. One Qi2 charge pad works perfectly with both brands — no more brand-specific cordless chargers.
Wired vs Induction Charging: Speed Comparison
The biggest trade-off with induction charging is speed. A wired USB-C connection is faster — but by how much? Here are real-world charging times (0-100%) for popular phones.
| Phone | Battery | Qi1 (7.5W) | Qi2 (15W) | Wired 20W | Wired 30W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16 Pro | 3,582 mAh | ~3h 15min | ~1h 45min | ~1h 30min | ~1h 10min |
| iPhone 15 | 3,349 mAh | ~3h 00min | ~1h 40min | ~1h 25min | ~1h 05min |
| Samsung S25 Ultra | 5,000 mAh | ~4h 30min | ~2h 15min | ~1h 50min | ~1h 20min |
| Samsung S24 | 4,000 mAh | ~3h 30min | N/A (Qi1) | ~1h 40min | ~1h 10min |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro | 5,060 mAh | ~4h 15min | ~2h 30min | ~2h 00min | ~1h 20min |
When to Use Induction Charging
- Overnight bedside charging — speed doesn't matter
- Desk charging while you work — trickle-top-up all day
- Car mounts — magnetic snap-on while driving
- Reducing cable wear on your phone's USB-C port
When to Use Wired Charging
- You need a fast top-up before heading out
- Your phone battery is critically low
- You're using the phone heavily while charging
- Maximum charging efficiency matters (e.g., travel)
Best Induction Charger 2026: Our Top Pick
After testing dozens of induction chargers, one stands out for UK buyers who want the best combination of performance, build quality, and value.
Anker MagGo 15W Wireless Charger Pad
The Anker MagGo delivers everything you need from a modern induction charger: 15W Qi2-certified wireless charging, strong magnetic alignment for iPhone 12+, an ultra-slim profile, and a built-in USB-C cable with included car adapter. It's the cordless charger that just works.
What We Like
- 15W Qi2 — full speed for iPhone 16/15 and Galaxy S25
- Strong N52 magnets — phone stays put even on a tilted surface
- Built-in USB-C cable — no extra cables to buy
- Car adapter included — desk + car in one package
- Ultra-slim design — slips into any bag or pocket
Specs at a Glance
Power Adapter Note: Like most wireless chargers, the Anker MagGo requires a USB-C power source to operate. For full 15W speed, use a 20W+ USB-C adapter. Check our USB-C charger collection for compatible wall adapters.
Frequently Asked Questions About Induction Chargers
What is an induction charger?
Does the iPhone support induction charging?
What is the difference between Qi, Qi2 and MagSafe induction charging?
Is induction charging slower than wired charging?
Can I use an induction charger with a phone case?
Does induction charging damage my phone battery?
Which Samsung phones support induction charging?
What is the best induction charger for iPhone in 2026?
The Bottom Line: Is an Induction Charger Worth It?
Absolutely — and a quality Qi2 induction charger costs as little as £20.
Induction charging has evolved from a slow, finicky novelty into a reliable, efficient way to power your phone. With Qi2's magnetic alignment, the old frustrations of coil misalignment and slow speeds are gone. You snap your phone onto the pad, it clicks into place, and it charges at 15W — no cables, no fumbling.
For iPhone owners from the iPhone 8 to iPhone 16, for Samsung Galaxy S25 owners, and for anyone tired of wearing out USB-C ports with constant plugging and unplugging — an induction charger is one of the best small tech upgrades you can make.