We might as well call facts facts; big smartphones aren't going anywhere anytime soon. If anything, our mobile devices are going to continue to push the envelope. For the most part, the people who enjoy these devices can all agree it's a good thing. There are a couple of situations, however, where having a big phone can present unique challenges. A perfect example is wireless charging, which seems like it would be easier with a larger phone but more often than not means you have to be unreasonably specific about how your phone sits on whatever platter you've purchased.
In a perfect world these devices would all have guiding magnets to make things easier — RIP Nexus 5 — but since that doesn't happen we've got some quick tips on making wireless charging a little easier.
All of a sudden this convenient charging method becomes a lot more trouble than it is worth.
Ultimately, everything about wireless charging comes down to the coil in your phone lining up with the coil on your charging platter. It sounds simple, but if the coil isn't centered on your phone and your platter is one of the smaller models, a casual bump can accidentally cause the weight to shift just enough that your phone is no longer charging. Even more frustrating — especially for Nexus 6 owners — is what happens when a curved coil and a flat coil need to be extra precise to line up, only to have this weight imbalance issue mess things up while you're asleep or something. All of a sudden this convenient charging method becomes a lot more trouble than it is worth.
There are two solutions to consider. You can either go with charging platters that act more like a cradle to hold your phone in place, or you can make sure you are only buying charging platters with multiple coil arrangements in them. As nice as the mini wireless charging pads (opens in new tab) and circular Qi platters (opens in new tab) look on a table, especially when not in use, you're just asking for trouble by putting a larger phone on them. Dish-shaped chargers (opens in new tab) aren't usually as discreet or attractive, but the design keeps your phone in place and gets the job done.
The multi-coil chargers, even if you don't have a big phone, are by far the best when it comes to effortless wireless charging. These chargers are designed to support multiple device sizes by arranging several coils on top of one another to ensure that at least one coil is making the connection and charging. One of the best in this category is the Tylt Vu charger (opens in new tab), which has a coil layout on a slanted dock that will charge both horizontally and vertically, and supports everything from the Moto 360 up to the Nexus 7. If you're not a fan of the bulky design Tylt has implemented here, the Choe Stadium (opens in new tab) is a great flat alternative with three coils inside.
Wireless charging in the home is still one of those things that is only as convenient as you make it, which unfortunately will always mean making sure you're buying the right accessories by doing the research and testing for yourself when you can. Folks with big phones aren't likely to enjoy most of the super cheap wireless charging offerings anytime soon, but with the right purchase you can make sure your wireless chargers last you quite a while.
