It’s been a frenzy of AirPods, wireless charging, and wireless everything for the past few weeks. Apple has released its wireless charging compatible iPhone X and new AirPods case that can also charge wirelessly. Everyone is abuzz about this new trend, but what makes AirPods charge faster or makes it possible in the first place? Wireless charging, after all, isn’t exactly a new invention. How do we explain this sudden resurgence? This blog post explains why traditional inductive chargers are not as fast as what you see on social media these days. We look at how an electromagnetic field works to transfer energy from one device to another and why the way most manufacturers implement it results in slow charging speeds and overheating batteries. Read on to learn more…
Why Do Airpods Charge So Fast?
A wireless charging pad has coils that can either generate an electromagnetic field or transfer energy from the source to the device. In generating an electromagnetic field, the device transfers energy to another device nearby by creating an electromagnetic field. This field is efficient at transferring energy over a short-range but inefficient at transferring energy over a long distance. In contrast, in transferring energy from a source, a charger uses a coil to create an electromagnetic field that induces an electrical current in another device’s coil to transfer energy from the source to the device at a longer distance. This method is more efficient at transferring energy at a greater distance than the first method.
How Does Wireless Charging Work?
Charging starts by creating an electromagnetic field
The battery is placed within a coil that generates a magnetic field in traditional inductive charging. When the coil generates a magnetic field, it creates an electric current within the coils of another device. This current induces an electrical current in the other device’s coil to transfer energy from the source to the device at a longer distance.
Energy transfer occurs when electromagnetic fields intersect
When two coils generate magnetic fields and intersect, they create an electromagnetic force that causes one coil’s magnetic field to repel and push away from the other’s magnetic field while also pulling on their respective electrical currents. This causes their respective coils to move closer together and thus charge each other up.
Charging ends when both coils stop moving in opposite directions
When both coils stop moving in opposite directions, their respective coils are no longer being pulled apart by each other’s magnetic fields and therefore no longer induce an electrical current in one another’s coils causing them to charge up. The charging process is complete as long as this condition remains true for both batteries (source).
The above diagram illustrates how inductive charging works… …and why it takes so long! This diagram illustrates how wireless charging works… …and why it takes so long! The picture above shows how inductive charging works compared with wireless charging and why it takes so long! As you can see from the picture above, inductive charging has a much shorter range than wireless charging. This is because inductive charging uses a magnetic field to induce an electrical current in another device’s coil to transfer energy from the source to the device at a longer distance. However, wireless charging does not use a magnetic field to transfer energy; instead, it uses a coil to generate an electromagnetic field that induces an electrical current in another device’s coil to transfer energy from the source to the device at a greater distance. This method is more efficient at transferring energy at a greater distance than the first method.
The Reasons Why Most Wireless Chargers Are Slow
The range of the transmitter limits the distance between the transmitter and receiver
Most wireless chargers have a range of around 10-15mm. This means that they can only charge devices within approximately 10-15mm of their transmitter. The picture above illustrates how wireless charging works… …and why it takes so long! The picture above illustrates how inductive charging works… …and why it takes so long! This is because inductive charging uses a magnetic field to induce an electrical current in another device’s coil to transfer energy from the source to the device at a longer distance. However, wireless charging does not use a magnetic field to transfer energy; instead, it uses a coil to generate an electromagnetic field that induces an electrical current in another device’s coil to transfer energy from the source to the device at a greater distance. This method is more efficient at transferring energy at a greater distance than the first method.
The transmitting coil does not always detect when there is enough power for transmission
Because inductive charging uses magnetic fields, if there is no power, there will be no induced current in the receiving coils, and thus no charge will be transferred (source). With wireless charging, if there is insufficient power, then all electromagnetic radiation will be absorbed by its surroundings, meaning there will be no induction in its receiving coil (source).
The transmitting coil can take time to recharge after being depleted fully
This is because inductive charging uses a magnetic field to induce an electrical current in another device’s coil to transfer energy from the source to the device at a longer distance. However, wireless charging does not use a magnetic field to transfer energy; instead, it uses a coil to generate an electromagnetic field that induces an electrical current in another device’s coil to transfer energy from the source to the device at a greater distance. This method is more efficient at transferring energy at a greater distance than the first method.
The transmitting coil can be damaged if it is not used regularly
The picture above illustrates how wireless charging works… …and why it takes so long! This is because inductive charging uses a magnetic field to induce an electrical current in another device’s coil to transfer energy from the source to the device at a longer distance. However, wireless charging does not use a magnetic field to transfer energy; instead, it uses a coil to generate an electromagnetic field that induces an electrical current in another device’s coil to transfer energy from the source (source). If you do not use your wireless charger regularly, you will eventually have no charge and thus cannot recharge your devices as they are depleted of power.
What Are Some Of The Benefits Of Airpods Charging So Quickly?
- The charging speeds of the AirPods charging case are so quick that even if you have only 10 minutes to charge your phone, you can quickly get around 50% battery.
- This is great when you’re in a rush and don’t have time to plug in your phone.
- The charging speed of the AirPods charging case is also beneficial to those who use their phone while it is charging. Because the charging speed is so high, you can usually use your phone while charging.
Are There Any Downsides To Airpods Charging So Rapidly?
- The charging speeds of the AirPods charging case are beneficial to everyone but the user.
- The user has to spend a lot of money to replace the charging case due to its shorter lifespan.
- The charging speed of the case is reduced over time, and the user has to replace the charging case sooner than expected.
- The charging speed is so high that the charging case’s batteries get overheated quickly.
- Thus, the charging case has to be replaced often. Moreover, you must spend a lot of money replacing the charging case.
Conclusion
The astounding charging speeds of the AirPods charging case result from the current flowing through the coils and the amount of energy transferred. This high current flowing through the coils results in overheating and has to be reduced to make the charging case last longer. This can be achieved by reducing the amount of energy transferred. Reducing the amount of energy transferred will reduce the current flowing through the coils. Thus, the batteries can be used for a more extended period, and they won’t get overheated. These changes will ensure that your charging case lasts longer and reduces expenses.
