Federica Laricchia
Research expert covering the global consumer technology industry
Although we think of wireless charging as a relatively new invention, its origins date back to more than 100 years to Serbian American inventor Nikola Tesla. Wireless power transfer (WPT) allows the transmission of electrical energy without using physical wires. Particularly, in a wireless power transmission system, a transmitter device, driven by electric power from a power source, generates a magnetic field that is absorbed by electronic devices to create energy. Wireless charging becomes very useful when wires are inconvenient, hazardous, or impossible, and increases the mobility, convenience, and safety of electronic devices for all users. In the past years, the global wireless charging market has grown, with power banks and wireless chargers gaining popularity among consumers.
In recent years, charging pads and battery cases have become more popular, with consumer demand for such devices forecast to increase further in the coming years. Particularly, battery cases are small power banks that, like a standard phone case, are attached to the rear side of smartphones. As is the case for power banks, both charging pads and battery cases are available with different battery capacities. Examples of battery cases are the Plus Cases Wireless Charging Battery Case and the ZEROLEMON Battery Case, both with a 10,000mAh capacity. Other very convenient devices include in-car wireless chargers, with the market offering many affordable options.
Wireless chargers: different types, sizes, and battery capacities
Nowadays, a wide range of wireless chargers are available for consumer electronics devices, especially smartphones that consumers always carry with and use most of the day. Power banks are among the most common – portable devices that supply power from their built-in battery usually through a USB port. The power bank market features products of various sizes, with additional features and different battery capacities on offer to adapt to the many smartphone models available. For instance, the MAXOAK 50,000mAh power bank has a 50,000mAh battery capacity, while Anker PowerCore III Elite 25600 PD 60W has a 25,600mAh battery capacity.In recent years, charging pads and battery cases have become more popular, with consumer demand for such devices forecast to increase further in the coming years. Particularly, battery cases are small power banks that, like a standard phone case, are attached to the rear side of smartphones. As is the case for power banks, both charging pads and battery cases are available with different battery capacities. Examples of battery cases are the Plus Cases Wireless Charging Battery Case and the ZEROLEMON Battery Case, both with a 10,000mAh capacity. Other very convenient devices include in-car wireless chargers, with the market offering many affordable options.
Market players: from tech giants to smaller companies
Many companies engage in the wireless charging market, from tech giants like Apple and Samsung to an array of smaller companies. Among these, Anker innovations Technologies would appear to be one of the more established ones. In terms of revenue, examples of other major wireless charger manufacturers are Belkin, Mophie, PopSockets, and PowerSphyir. Given that the wireless charging trend is set to become more prominent, it is likely that smaller companies will grow and that the above-mentioned tech giants will invest further in the market.
