The iPhone XR is one of the most affordable iPhones ever, but it doesn’t have some of the bells and whistles of its more expensive brethren. Wireless charging isn’t among those missing features, but it’s not something you can expect to find on your new iPhone unless you opt for an Android phone instead. If you’re still trying to decide whether or not the XR is right for you, read on to find out everything you need to know about wireless charging capabilities in this model.
Does iPhone XR Have Wireless Charging?
No, the iPhone XR does not have wireless charging. This is because the phone uses an aluminum body, which does not conduct electricity as well as the stainless steel or glass bodies of the iPhone XS and XS Max. If you want an iPhone with wireless charging, you’ll need to upgrade to one of the more expensive models.
What Does Wireless Charging Do?
It’s Fast
Wireless charging is faster than plugging your phone into a charger wirelessly. The wired connection can take anywhere from 30 seconds to 5 minutes depending on the device and the device’s battery. Wireless charging takes only a few seconds to kick into action, which means you have more time to do other things while your phone is juicing up.
It Charges Faster Than Plugging In
Wireless charging doesn’t have any physical wires that need to be plugged into the wall, so it can charge your iPhone much faster than plugging it into a wall outlet with a cable. Instead, it uses magnetic induction technology, which means that it directly transfers electricity from one charger to another without having to go through any physical wires or plugs. The process is similar to how you would use an induction stove in your kitchen; heat moves from one end of the stovetop or burner pan to another without ever touching the actual heating element itself.
It’s More Convenient
Wireless charging is more convenient than plugging your phone into a wall outlet, so you can use it on the go. You don’t need to look for an outlet or worry about tripping over a power cord. You can simply set your phone down on the charging pad and let it do its thing.
How Does Wireless Charging Work?
Plugs Into The Charging Port
The charging port on the iPhone XR is basically the same as it was on previous models. Like all other iPhones, you’ll need to plug your phone into a wall outlet via a Lightning cable in order to charge it. You’ll also need to press and hold the side button in order to activate the charger, which is a little different from other iPhones.
You Won’t Be Able To Charge It With An Apple Watch
Contrary to what some people might think, wireless charging on iPhones doesn’t work with your Apple Watch. Although you can technically use your Apple Watch as a wireless charger, it simply won’t charge your iPhone while you’re wearing it. This is because the two devices are incompatible with each other due to their different charging capabilities and different battery capacities.
Charges Quickly Compared To Other Devices
There have been many reports out there saying that wireless charging isn’t as fast as it is with other wireless charging devices. This is true to a certain extent, but the XR is still a very fast charging device in general. It charges about as quickly as iPhones from other manufacturers, which means that it charges at about the same rate as the iPhone 8 and 7 models.
Doesn’t Require A Special Charging Pad
If you’re not a fan of wireless charging pads, you won’t have to worry about them on the XR because there isn’t one included in the box. If you want to use one, you can buy one separately from Apple for $40 or more.
Doesn’t Work With The Apple Watch Series 3
Wireless charging may not be available for your new Apple Watch if you plan on using it with your iPhone XR. This is because the two devices are incompatible with each other due to their different battery capacities and different charging capabilities. Wireless charging won’t work with the Apple Watch Series 3, which means that you’ll have to plug your iPhone into an outlet using a Lightning cable in order to charge it.
Doesn’t Work With The iPhone 8
The same goes for iPhones with smaller batteries, like the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus. They don’t support wireless charging either because they have smaller batteries than previous models.
Requires A Charging Cable
If you want to charge your iPhone XR without using a wireless charger, you’re going to have to use a Lightning cable instead. Even if your phone supports wireless charging, it still requires the use of a cable in order to function properly.
Is iPhone XR Going To Have Wireless Charging?
- The iPhone XR has wireless charging capabilities, but it’s not in the box.
- You can add wireless charging to your iPhone XR by purchasing a case, but it won’t be included with the phone.
- There are some third-party cases that allow for wireless charging, but they aren’t cheap.
- If you’d like to use the iPhone’s Qi-compatible charger, you’ll need Apple’s accessory that lets you do so wirelessly.
- The iPhone XR will not support AirPower if it comes to market, so don’t be surprised if it doesn’t have a built-in Qi-compatible charger when you get your new phone.
How To Buy A Wireless Charger For Your iPhone XR
Determine What Type of Wireless Charging You Need
When you’re deciding which wireless charger to buy, you’ll need to determine what type of wireless charging you actually need. The iPhone XR supports Qi wireless charging, but it doesn’t support other types of wireless charging like PMA (Power Matters Alliance) or WPC (Wireless Power Consortium). You can find more information about the different types of wireless charging found on different devices here.
Think About Price When Buying a Wireless Charger
Before buying a wireless charger for your iPhone XR, think about what type of price range you’re looking at. If you want to go cheap and get something that works with most Qi-enabled devices, then check out the Anker PowerWave 10. The 10W output is more than enough for most use cases and costs less than $20 at Amazon. Alternatively, if you want something that supports all the necessary standard types of wireless charging, then you’ll want to take a look at the RAVPower Fast Wireless Charger. It costs just under $30 at Amazon and comes with 5W output, making it compatible with most Qi-enabled devices.
Read User Reviews and Find a Good Deal
If you’re still not sure which wireless charger to buy, then consider reading user reviews on Amazon or Walmart. You can also check out the best prices on Amazon by using this search function. If you’re interested in getting something that supports all the necessary standard types of wireless charging, then be sure to check out the Fast Wireless Charger from RAVPower. It costs just under $30 at Amazon and comes with 5W output, making it compatible with most Qi-enabled devices.
Should You Buy an Adapter or a New Battery?
- If you want to use wireless charging on your iPhone, you need a compatible adapter. Apple’s included adapter does not support the XR’s fast charging capabilities and will only allow for slow charging of up to 1A. If you want to charge your phone quickly, you’ll need a third-party charger or an adapter from another manufacturer.
- You can buy a new battery if you’re looking to replace the one that came with your model or if it has run out of juice. If your current battery is no longer holding its charge and needs replacing, it’s going to cost you between $49 and $79 depending on which model and capacity of the battery you choose.
- Wireless chargers don’t just work with iPhones though; there are plenty of options for Samsung Galaxy phones as well so check out the wireless chargers section below for more info on those models as well!
The Final Word
The iPhone XR is a great phone, but it doesn’t have the same wireless charging capabilities as the more expensive models. If you’re looking for a quick, convenient way to charge your phone, wireless charging is a great option. If you’re planning to buy a new iPhone in the near future, you can expect the XR to have wireless charging. If you don’t mind waiting a little longer, you can expect the same from next year’s models as well.
