I’ve had multiple phones over recent years that have had wireless charging capabilities but it’s long been a feature I hardly use. I did initially attempt to dabble in the realm of wireless charging when I got the Samsung Galaxy S10+ back in 2019, but the cheap and weak charging pad I owned wasn’t a match for the traditional wired charger, and I was ultimately turned off by the technology as a result. Years have passed however and I’m willing to give the tech another chance, which is exactly what I did recently with the Satechi Wireless Charger V2, a sleek and stylish aluminium wireless charging pad that has succeeded in changing my stance on the efficacy of wireless charging tech.
The Satechi Wireless Charger V2 first and foremost is Qi-Certified, meaning it is compatible with both Apple and Samsung devices that have Qi-enabled wireless charging functionality, alongside any other smartphone or device that utilises the Qi standard.
Included in the box is the wireless charging pad itself, alongside a USB-C to USB-A cable used to power the device. Frustratingly, a power delivery adapter isn’t included, meaning that you will either to have use one of your existing power adapters (that you may well still use as a secondary charger), or buy a new one entirely in order to use the product to begin with.
You will need a power adapter regardless (or a powerboard equipped with a USB-A port) as the charger only functions when plugged into a powered wall port, meaning that you can’t simply use a computer USB port to get things up and running. While it wasn’t a hassle for me personally, it will be an additive cost that you’ll need to account for if you don’t have a power adapter laying around.
When it comes to the aesthetics, the Satechi Wireless Charger V2 looks and feels like a quality device, with its space gray aluminium body and dark gray non-slip padding making for a pretty product.
The led indicator on the front of the charger powers on when in use and indicates the charging speed. A green light appears when utilising the basic 5W charging capacity, with the light showing blue when 7.5W/10W quick charging is in use on devices with quick charging compatibility.
In my case, I tested the Satechi Wireless Charger V2 with my Samsung Galaxy S20+, and it charged without any hassle at all. All I had to do was simply place my phone on the pad and charging would begin.
I didn’t notice any noise when charging devices, something that can occur with the fans in wireless chargers, and while I felt a slight warmth on my phone and pad after a decent period of charging, it was never severe enough to the point where I was at all worried. The charging pad has temperature protection, which serves to protect your devices from getting uncomfortably warm.
I made use of both the default charging and fast charging by plugging the charger into both the USB port of my powerboard, and my Samsung fast charger respectively. When attempting to charge from 50% battery on basic 5W charging, my phone indicated that it would take roughly 2 hours and 14 minutes to fully charge.
Fast wireless charging from 50% stated it would take a much more desirable time of 1 hour and 25 minutes. Despite the decent charging time afforded by the fast wireless charging, it wasn’t a match for the traditional super-fast charging when plugging my phone in, which charged the device from 50% to a full charge in just 45 minutes.
Although the Satechi Wireless Charger V2 wasn’t a match for my original super-fast charging adapter, the sheer simplicity of placing my phone on a pad to charge quickly became my preferred method of charging in situations where I had the time to let my phone charge, such as when going to bed, engaging in a multi-hour gaming session, or simply working at my desk.
I’ll likely still find myself using the traditional super-fast charging adapter when in desperate need for a quick fix of battery power, but the Satechi Wireless Charger V2 is still a worthwhile charger that I’ll be using in basically any other charging scenario. It’s simple yet stylish design ensures it won’t look out of place on your desk or bedside table, and its non-slip pad and temperature protection minimise the risk of your devices falling or overheating. The time needed to charge via 5W charging is a bit too long for mine, but the fast charging while still slower than plugging the phone is respectable enough.
The price tag of AUD$79.99 is a bit steep given the lack of a power adapter, but the Satechi Wireless Charger V2 is still a product I’d recommend for those that are sick of plugging their phone in and don’t mind waiting a little longer for their phone to charge (if you’re using the fast charging).
This review utilised a Satechi Wireless Charger V2 provided by Rocket Comms.
