Belkin has just announced two new products to its Boost Up wireless charging range – the BOOST↑UP Wireless Charging Stand 10W for Apple, Samsung, LG and Sony and the BOOST↑UP Bold Wireless Charging Pad 10W for Apple, Samsung, LG and Sony.
But there’s just one problem. iPhones are only optimised for 7.5W wireless charging.
And this is only if you have the iOS 11.2 update or later. For Wireless charging-enabled iPhones running on anything earlier, the speed is going to be capped at 5W.
If you’re an Apple user or brushed up on your wireless charging knowledge, this may not be news to you. But not all consumers will be quite as savvy. If they see something that says ’10W’ in the product name, they are probably going to expect 10W.
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The press release for the new Belkins addresses the the speed by stating that they “deliver universal wireless charging for Apple, Samsung and other Qi-enabled devices at optimal speed.”
The product pages for the stand and the pad are similarly vague, saying that the new Belkin, “offers optimal wireless charging for iPhone X, iPhone 8/8 Plus, Samsung, LG, Sony and other Qi-enabled devices.”
In both cases the information is technically there. But it could easily be missed, or not fully be understood if the reader doesn’t know about the capped speeds.
In fact, you have to scroll quite far down the page to the ‘Inside Story’ section where it has a point that states — “Single chip solution provides universal compatibility to optimally charge devices at 5W, 7.5W, 9W and 10W.” However, that still doesn’t disclose which devices will be restricted to those slower speeds.
It may seem like I’m splitting hairs here, especially when some Android phones also won’t charge at the full 10W. Should Belkin be expected to break down actual speeds for each and every one? Perhaps not, but the company could be clearer.
When the promotion surrounding these chargers screams ’10W’ and one of the major market shareholders can only hit 75 per cent of that number, there’s an issue. And while it certainly isn’t Belkin fault that Apple products physically can’t charge any faster, they do perhaps have a responsibility to consumers to overtly disclose that fact.
Belkin’s Boost Up Bold Wireless Charging Pad 10W (RRP $99.95) and Boost Up Wireless Charging Stand 10W (RRP $109.95) are available now from Belkin and other retailers.
[referenced url=”https://gizmodo.com.au/2018/04/belkin-boost-up-iphone-x-8-plus-wireless-qi-charger-gizmodo-australian-review/” thumb=”https://gizmodo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Belkin-resized-1-410×231.jpg” title=”Surprise! Belkin’s Wireless iPhone Charger Also Works With Androids” excerpt=”Belkin has worked with Apple to develop the Boost Up – a wireless charging pad that is compatible with the most current iPhone models. But is it any good? We gave it a whirl with an iPhone 8 to find out. And discovered a little surprise along the way.”]
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