Help Slow Wireless Charging

[sachertorte]

I have noticed that the Z Fold 4 as as well as the 3 I had briefly charge wirelessly very slowly. They never finish charging anywhere near the estimate given in the always on display.

This is kind of a problem for me.

Danny

 

[mikedt]

if it's the same symptoms across two phones, it sounds like it's the wireless charger that's at fault.

I've got two wireless charging pads here, one is Samsung original and that charges my Note20 at the normal rate. Another is some cheapo thing, that I think originally came with a smart-watch, and that only charges the Samsung phone slowly and gets very hot. Although it charges BT earbuds no problem.

 

[jhtalisman]

The Fold 4 is rated for 15w wireless charging, the Fold 3 for 11w.

What wireless charger are you using?

 

[sachertorte]

I am using this charger:
Amazon link
https://a.co/d/fCZvIJD
This charging pad:
Amazon link
https://a.co/d/ikoAUb7

The charger was what I could get "right now" after first getting the Z Fold 4 and having an "issue" with charging. I woke up one morning after putting it on the wireless charging setup I used for my Note 8. The next morning, the phone had either gained little charging ground, or even lost ground. I then looked at the pad, noticing that it said 5 watts max. I am not sure what the charger was rated at. I would have to find it. Interestingly, there were some mornings with the Note 8 where I woke up to a nearly run down battery. At first I dismissed it as me not having placed the phone correctly, then there were some nights where I know I did it correctly, and woke up to a depleted phone. I then dismissed it as the charger starting to fail intermittently. Now after having used it on the Z Fold 4 with no success, I wonder if even on the Note 8, it was a marginal charging rate, which caused it to charge little to not at all sometimes.

In using this charging setup, after placing it down on the pad, the always on display does read something like "fast charging" along with the estimated time.
Danny

 

[sachertorte]

The Fold 4 is rated for 15w wireless charging, the Fold 3 for 11w.

What wireless charger are you using?

I am glad that you mention this fact. I did a quick search for that and just came up with "25 watts". Evidently. that is true, but for wired charging only.

Danny

 

[mikedt]

I am using this charger:
Amazon link
https://a.co/d/fCZvIJD
This charging pad:
Amazon link
https://a.co/d/ikoAUb7

The charger was what I could get "right now" after first getting the Z Fold 4 and having an "issue" with charging. I woke up one morning after putting it on the wireless charging setup I used for my Note 8. The next morning, the phone had either gained little charging ground, or even lost ground. I then looked at the pad, noticing that it said 5 watts max. I am not sure what the charger was rated at. I would have to find it. Interestingly, there were some mornings with the Note 8 where I woke up to a nearly run down battery. At first I dismissed it as me not having placed the phone correctly, then there were some nights where I know I did it correctly, and woke up to a depleted phone. I then dismissed it as the charger starting to fail intermittently. Now after having used it on the Z Fold 4 with no success, I wonder if even on the Note 8, it was a marginal charging rate, which caused it to charge little to not at all sometimes.

In using this charging setup, after placing it down on the pad, the always on display does read something like "fast charging" along with the estimated time.
Danny

Yeah. that's just some cheap no-name thing. I've got something similar, that originally came with a Chinese smart-watch. While it's OK for charging small items like Bluetooth earbuds and smart-watches, it has a hard time with my Galaxy Note20 Ultra, specifically it only charges the phone slowly, and becomes very hot.

It may state "15W" in the sales blurb, but don't necessarily believe it.

 

[sachertorte]

Yeah. that's just some cheap no-name thing. I've got something similar, that originally came with a Chinese smart-watch. While it's OK for charging small items like Bluetooth earbuds and smart-watches, it has a hard time with my Galaxy Note20 Ultra, specifically it only charges the phone slowly, and becomes very hot.

Do you bave a recomendation for a good quality one? My only requirement is that it is not one of those kinds where the phone stands on edge, unless it's secured somehow, if such a thing exists. I am a heavy sleeper and use my phone as an alarm. I would be afraid of toppling the phone to the floor in half awake situations.

Danny

 

[jhtalisman]

Do you bave a recomendation for a good quality one? My only requirement is that it is not one of those kinds where the phone stands on edge, unless it's secured somehow, if such a thing exists. I am a heavy sleeper and use my phone as an alarm. I would be afraid of toppling the phone to the floor in half awake situations.

Danny

This is what I use with minimal (alcohol induced user related placement) issues.

Anker Wireless Charger with Power Adapter, PowerWave II Pad, Qi-Certified 15W Max Fast Wireless Charging Pad for iPhone 12, 12 Mini, 12 Pro Max, 11, 11 Pro, Galaxy S10 S9 S8, Note 10 Note 9 & More https://a.co/d/gfx3miE

I have rarely had any issues with Anker products. Eventually cables wear out, but that is to be expected. Other than that their products just work.

 

[sachertorte]

This is what I use with minimal (alcohol induced user related placement) issues.

Anker Wireless Charger with Power Adapter, PowerWave II Pad, Qi-Certified 15W Max Fast Wireless Charging Pad for iPhone 12, 12 Mini, 12 Pro Max, 11, 11 Pro, Galaxy S10 S9 S8, Note 10 Note 9 & More https://a.co/d/gfx3miE

I have rarely had any issues with Anker products. Eventually cables wear out, but that is to be expected. Other than that their products just work.

There's always the outlier, no matter how good the company/product is. I bought an Anker wireless charger pad and charger from Target about a week after the Z Fold 4 came out. A few days ago, I found my Note 8 which was on the charger, dead. The setup failed. When you plug the setup in, the light on the pad lights up for 2-5 seconds, then it shuts off. I have not been able to isolate it to the charger or pad yet. I have also had great luck with Anker.

Danny