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Samsung Galaxy S6 : charge filaire vs induction, le match

For 50 euros, it is possible to obtain the induction charger Samsung (the Pad Induction EP-PG920I) for the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge. Moreover, Samsung offered this pad with preorders.This magnetic induction charging stand is compatible with the WPA standard Qi and can therefore recharge any phone supporting this standard . The energy efficiency of the standard would be between 60 and 90%. This means, in the worst case, 40% of energy consumed by the charger is lost during induction and only 60% would come to, that is to say, in the battery of the smartphone . We wanted to check what it was in practice.The test protocol is relatively simple. The Galaxy S6 was charged in three different ways: withthe AC adapter Fast Charging (for 9V 1,67A 15W), with the travel adapter (5V and 2A 10W) and the induction charger (5V and 2A 10W) . For each type of load, the Galaxy S6 was recharged with the battery completely empty and the phone turned off. We noted every 30 minutes its charge level (percent) until it reaches 100%. Here are the results.


As we can see, the wireless charger is 2.2 times slower than the quick charger (15W) and 1.8 times slower than the travel charger (10W). This difference is mainly due to the current specifications of the Qi standard (1.1.2), which limit the power received by smartphones to 5W . The WPA body in charge of Qi should propose an improvement of that power in the future. For information purposes, to achieve deliver 5 watts taking into account energy losses, connect the pad to a charger delivering at least 7 Watts output. Energy efficiency is slightly greater than 70%.To recharge the 2550 mAh Galaxy S6, it took 1:25 to quick charger, standard and 1:40 ... 2:55 charger with induction charger. Clearly, this type of charger is for refills that do not rush, for example in the evening before bedtime . For refills in the day, we prefer the quick charger, 2.6 times faster than wireless charging. Of course, this kind of fast charging tends to deteriorate slightly faster cell batteries.
It would be interesting to perform the same test with a charger compatible with standard LDCs since the Galaxy S6 also supports this standard. The maximum theoretical power is 50 watts, a figure far too high for smartphones. For comparison, the Rezence A4WP (the third and final charging standard mobile wireless) can deliver 6.5W. Both LDCs and Rezence standards have also announced their merger in January.