Samsung Galaxy S7 Wireless Charging Battery Pack review

As you may recall, I'm not the biggest fan of battery cases. They're cumbersome, come with a load of compromises and in the end don't add much of a charge to your phone. At the same time, the Galaxy S7's larger battery removes the need for a battery case for most people.

Samsung launched a new style of battery case with the Galaxy S7, which at the time seemed a little confusing. Rather than plug into the USB port like every other battery case, it uses Qi wireless charging to keep your phone powered up. Initially I wrote it off as a superfluous feature addition that didn't make a whole lot of sense for a case that's attached to the phone.

But then I used it, and it makes so much sense I can't believe it wasn't done before.

Design and materials

This is perhaps the most simplistic design for a battery case, but that's exactly what you want — just get the best balance of size and battery capacity possible. The case is basically comprised of two pieces: a hard plastic and slightly textured back that's rigid and contains the battery and electronics, attached to a soft touch grippy rubber portion that wraps around the actual phone.

No added port bulk, no restricted access to ports.

The fact that this case charges the phone over Qi wireless seemed like a novelty at first, but it enables this case to be dramatically smaller and less complicated than those that have to plug into the USB port of the phone, which introduce a large "chin" at the bottom of the phone. There's also no need for the case to come apart or have a hinge at any point — the soft rubber allows you to pop the Galaxy S7 in and out of the case with ease, while having enough friction to hold onto it in normal use.

The design wins just continue when you look around the outside profile of the case, which doesn't have to bulge out on any side, and instead just puts a thin rubber lining around the top and sides of the phone. The bottom is mostly exposed, which is a huge deal for a battery case. The headphone jack, USB port, microphone and speaker are all completely free to work as they normally would — no restrictions or headphone extenders required.

Of course there's no getting around the fact that this is a big case, and it definitely changes the ergonomics of using the Galaxy S7. Adding the case just about doubles the thickness of the phone, as well as adding probably 50% to the weight, and even with the added grip of the rubberized finish it's still a bit unwieldy. But that's the trade-off with every battery case, and once again the fact that this one doesn't add any unnecessary height or side bulk to the phone is a big deal.

Using and charging

Samsung Galaxy S7 Wireless Charging Battery Pack

Press the button on the top of the case to see a readout of the current charge state with four LEDs, or instead make a long press of the button to start or stop the charging of the phone. Despite the confusing name of this accessory, the case itself doesn't charge over Qi ... you have to plug it into micro-USB power, and can even do so while the case is charging the phone.

You'll get about a 50% charge, but that's just fine.

Just like every other battery case, you're not going to get a full phone charge out of this thing. You could've expected that from the start because it only has a 2700 mAh capacity — smaller than the 3000 mAh in the phone itself — but when it comes down to the rate of charging and the power lost in the process, you're only going to get about 50% charge added to your battery with this case.

Popping the case on the Galaxy S7 at 5% battery, and using the phone as I normally would without a case, I was able to get up to 50% before the case was depleted. The charge took a full two and a half hours to complete, which is normal for a battery case and completely expected considering the usual charging rate of Qi (advertised as 5V / 1A by Samsung).

The fact that this case is so easy to quickly take on and off lines up well with the amount of charge it offers. Being able to carry around the case — as you would any other mobile battery pack — to quickly pop on when you're pushing the phone and hit 50% battery far too early in the day is great. And taking it off in just two seconds once the charge is done (or you feel confident in the battery level) completes the experience.

A battery case you might actually want

Coming from a position of absolutely loathing battery cases as a general rule, I'm extremely impressed by the Wireless Charging Battery Pack that Samsung has made for the Galaxy S7. The choice to go with Qi charging has removed several of the barriers — extra bulk, blocked ports and unnecessary components — that typically make a battery case not worth your time, and completely tipped the scales to making this a battery case that's actually worth while.

Some would argue that the Galaxy S7 doesn't really need a 50% boost in battery, as the upgrade in capacity over the Galaxy S6 was enough to get most people (myself included) through the day. And honestly most who need that extra bump in battery mid-day will be better served by a versatile battery pack with Quick Charge speeds instead. But the fact is that not everyone uses their phone in the same way, and the few who need something that can fully attach and become part of the phone while charging will want to look at the Wireless Charging Battery Pack.

As far as battery cases for the Galaxy S7 go, there's no reason to look at any other.

Andrew Martonik

Andrew was an Executive Editor, U.S. at Android Central between 2012 and 2020.

53 Comments
  • No edge model option? Posted via the Android Central App
  • There is, indeed, a GS7 edge model. It's the exact same, only slightly larger to fit the GS7 edge. There's also a much smaller chance that you're going to need a battery case for the edge.
  • There is. I have one.
  • You hit the nail on the head . My gs7 edge has been a beast on battery usage. And mine is Bluetooth to my watch and headphones when I'm at the gym . This case could come in handy for those all day outing when you'll be taking a lot of pictures and away from a power supply Posted via the Android Central App
  • Doesn't this charge the phone at a much worse efficiency than the USB charging port method? It must make the phone warm all the time.
  • It charges at the same rate as any other USB battery case. Sure there's a little more line loss, but it actually doesn't seem to be notably less efficient than the hardwired connection. And no, the phone doesn't get hot.
  • No way the phone doesn't get hot while Qi charging in this case. Mine gets warm every time I charge wirelessly.
  • Is it me or is the MSRP missing from the review?
  • MSRP is $80. It's notably cheaper at Amazon, about $65. The only issue with putting prices in reviews like this is that the price fluctuates so often from retailers.
  • I understand. That's why I thought maybe MSRP, since it doesn't fluctuate as often.
  • Samsung products are so on point. I like how well built their products are. Just ordered the leather s 7 edge case from Ebay and love it. Perfect fit. Posted via the Android Central App
  • i am glad i read this article. I never thought about just slapping it on when I need a charge. I always assumed this was for 24/7 use. But that makes way more sense. Just keep it as a charged up battery pack, then slap it on when you need it.
  • Look at how much it adds to the phone. No way no how. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Hi, welcome to the world of battery cases. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Not a world I want to be a part of. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Yup, that's part of the deal. But you don't have to have a battery pack attached to it by a cable and dangling around. The battery case option isn't for everyone, btu some people need the portability of having an actual case that attaches to the phone.
  • Very true. i have a qi pack. it is a bit cumbersome. but i still think it beats the heck out of a 'one off' case.
  • Haha I'm loving my zerolemon 10000mah extended battery on my note 3 :D now that's bulky. Posted via the Android Central App
  • you're kidding.
  • Battery cases are actually the best thing ever. Sure, they can be super bulky, but the upside is you can get multiple days of heavy use out of one with no need to carry a separate battery bank Blackberry Priv
    Nvidia Shield "Portable"
    Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact
  • Can also work as an anti mugging device, you just wack the mugger across the side of the head with your zero lemon note3, and emergency is over :).
  • Same setup as sayf777. Not for my daily use, but, when needed, impressive. Posted via Android Central App
  • I have it and works great as a "spare battery" option. I just keep it in my glove box and slap it on if I have a need. Seems to keep its charge for a long time. I've had it all week without using it and still at full capacity. Not that I will use it much but so easy to slip on/off. It will be worth it to get me out of a pinch without being tethered to the wall.
  • You guys are awesome! Been waiting for this review. I need something like this for work since I'm there most of the day and hate having to connect my phone to a wall charger or even placing it on the wireless pad. Posted via Samsung's beast S7
  • This is actually not something new on the GS7. The GS6 Edge+ already has a wireless battery pack very similar to this one (it has the camera blocked off so not very useful, at least they fixed that in the GS7 version). https://www.androidcentral.com/e?link=https2F2Flink...
  • Yeah, but the blocked off camera made it a non-starter for 99% of customers
  • I'd say 100%
  • I have this for my Note 5. Really enjoy it. I actually leave it on at all times. I'll come home from all day work shift and sometimes be around 80% or better. Posted via the Android Central App
  • My USB port on my S6 has packed in. I could really do with this...
  • I've been waiting for a review on this. I think I'll go with this this time around instead of a mophie. Posted via the Android Central App
  • I actually own this and it works well. My one complaint is that it wasn't clear to me when I bought it that the case itself doesn't charge wirelessly. Its a significant 'miss' despite an otherwise good product. I use wireless charging for my phone regularly and would prefer to set this case with my phone in it on my existing wireless charger but instead I'm back to fumbling with cables. In my case, it won't be so bad since I'll mostly use this while traveling and never take my wireless charges with. But still feels like they missed the target a liytle because of the lack of wireless charging
  • Well, I have one on my S7 and I'm slightly disappointed in the output, I guess probably should have read up a bit more. It stops charging the phone when the unit is getting charged which is a nuisance. In any case, it tops the thing up when needed and makes it less slippery to handle.
    I have one for the S6 as well, it's a plug in version and I like it more then this one. I have a QI pad in my car and plonk the handset on that when traveling so its charged when I get there. Despite the technology, they still lag with the battery life in today's devices.
  • The case shouldn't stop charging the phone when the case itself is being charged. It's designed to specifically prioritize giving the power to the attached phone before charging the case.
  • Yes Andrew, that's what i thought but that's what i see here, if the case is low and getting charged it stops the phone charging (or maybe the phone does does to voltage drop).
    And at times the connection isn't so good so i have to bump the case back a bit to get it going.. i might have a faulty unit perhaps...
    The S6 one is miles better and being larger capacity than the phone, you get 100% charge phone!!! It's a plug in thing, so has a little chin but it never bothered me.
  • I'm surprised it took so long for battery cases to go wireless. I would've thought it would the logical way to do it.. Blackberry Priv
    Nvidia Shield "Portable"
    Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact
  • Interesting use of the technology, but it's odd that they don't use wireless charging on the battery pack. I guess that would cause issues when people plop the whole assembly down on the pad to charge. I think I prefer a phone slim enough to go unnoticed in my pocket and still go two or three days on a charge. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Yeah there would be some issues with having both receiving and sending Qi coils so close together, it just wouldn't work right. Plus it'd add just a little more thickness, cost and electronics to the whole deal. No need.
  • SOOOO...wireless charging for a phone with built in wireless charging.....uh cool I guess ?
  • Maybe you misunderstand the use here. The case itself doesn't add wireless charging capabilities, it charges the phone wirelessly so you don't have to have extra bulk and a fixed connector to the USB port.
  • I wonder if this is IP68 compliant as well.
    It would not make sense to leave this vulnerable to water if the phone isn't. Besides, i would probably just use this as an "extra battery" pack, grab 1-2 for traveling, pop it on when needed so i could continue snapping photos or making calls.
  • It is not IP68 compliant, which sucks. Posted via the Android Central App on the S7 edge
  • Well on the bright side, if they both take a swim then the phone will still be good. And since it's not plugged into any physical ports, you don't have to worry about the pack shorting out and taking your phone with it.
  • I just purchased a mophie juice pack for my S7 edge and I love it. I spent last week in DC and I was using the Metro and my battery was draining like crazy because of the phone searching for cell signal and I was taking a ton of pictures around the National Mall. Now I don't have to worry about losing battery power on the metro when I return to DC next week. Posted via the Android Central App on the S7 edge
  • For the mophie, I know the case charges wirelessly with a Qi pad and the case plugs into the phone, but is there a microUSb port on the case to allow pass through data transfers? also, does the case fast charge if I use a Qi fast charging pad? Thank you ahead for the answers.
  • Yes, the mophie juice pack does have a microUSB port to allow pass through data transfers. I'm not sure about fast charging, though.
  • Any QI Charger isn't going to charge as efficiently as a plug in charger.
    My Mophie Charger made for Samsung Galaxy S6 has 3300 ma battery.
    I can get up to 2 charges out of it to top off my phone.
    It is smaller than the Samsung QI Charger & more powerful, and if you look around,
    you can purchase it for the same price or less. (Mophie: 3.0" X .6" X 6.2" VS Samsung 3.5" X .8" X 7"
    Mophie will be coming out with an S7 charger too.
    I don't like the QI chargers because they are extremely slow in comparison.
  • Yet another cumbersome option to deal with the lack of replaceable battery. :-\ Although, for cumbersome Sammy did a pretty good job in this IMO. I'll give them an A for effort in combatting a major shortcoming of the device.
  • I am interested in a comparison between this case and the mophie Cass for the S7 and S7 edge. On the fence on which one to get. I like that Mophie charges the case wirelessly, but has the 'chin', while the Samsung case has no chin but I would have to use a cable once again. Posted via the Android Central App
  • It's a decent case, but the phone is in no way securely fit into it. Stumbled across this video and noticed my phone does the same thing. It falls out very easily. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keXtX6yp4us
  • The phone charges very very slow on my s7 edge. Gonna try the mophie one Posted via the Android Central App
  • The mophie case for s7 edge is awesome! Posted via the Android Central App
  • Wasn't sure because I hated the mophie on my S6 Edge, bout 3 S6 Edge, the case died on 1 within 2 months, on mine in 7 months, but my husband's is still going strong (1 out of 3), BUT, My S7 has the best battery usage, of any phone ever!!!! Its always Bluetooth to my Fitbit, ION radio, and headphones. This case really does come in handy for all day outings, like at the beach and hiking. I wasn't sure about the (only) 50% recharge capability, but I find I usually get 72-75%. More than I have been able to use in one day.
  • Does anybody know if I the wireless charging battery pack works with the samsung fast charging pad. That way you can both charge the phone and the battery pack wireless.