THE NEW Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone is using the Wireless Power Consortium-backed Qi standard for wireless charging.
The handset can be accessorised with an optional back battery cover and wireless charging pad, with these accessories fully compatible with all Qi chargers and Qi-compatible phones.
According to the WPC, the choice by Samsung to adopt Qi technology solidifies the standard as the mobile industry’s choice for inter-compatible wireless charging.
The WPC consists of more than 130 companies, including Blackberry, ConvenientPower, Delphi Automotive Systems, Energizer, Haier Group, Hitachi Maxell HTC, Huawei, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Panasonic, Philips Electronics, Samsung, Sony, TDK Corporation, Texas Instruments, Toshiba, and Verizon Wireless.
While wireless charging has been appearing in some electronic products, and has been the subject of trials from retailers and automotive manufacturers, its use in the Galaxy S4 may herald mainstream adoption of the technology.
The Samsung flagship Galaxy smartphones currently rival the Apple iPhone line in terms of market volume.