Accessories
Nexus 4 Wireless Charger Review
The Nexus 4 wireless charger is a $60 Nexus 4 accessory that allows users to charge the Nexus 4 by placing it on a small orb, without attaching any wires to the Nexus 4.
The Nexus 4 supports Qi wireless charging, but as we found the Nexus 4 doesn’t work with every Qi charger, so we jumped at the chance to try the official Nexus 4 wireless charger when it arrived on the Google Play Store earlier this month.
Google and LG designed a very nice looking wireless charger that fits nicely on the edge of a desk or nightstand. The Nexus 4 wireless charger looks like half of an 8 ball. The rounded part of the orb is made of smooth plastic with a matte finish. The top part of the Nexus 4 wireless charger features two glossy rings which, along with magnets, keep the Nexus 4 in place when it is charging.
The Nexus 4 wireless charger looks great and is a handy accessory.
Unlike many other wireless chargers, the official Nexus 4 wireless charger keeps the phone at an angle so it is easier to use the phone while it is charging, especially at a desk. The rubber rings and magnets inside the wireless charger keep the Nexus 4 in place even at odd angles. There’s no need to carefully place the Nexus 4 on the charger, simply set it on with the center of the Nexus 4 near the middle of the charger and it will start charging. The slightly sticky rings collected a little dust during our time with the charger.
To stop charging, simply lift the Nexus 4 off the charger and go about your day. The orb has enough weight that it will stay put on a desk when picking up the Nexus 4, but occasionally it will lift slightly off the surface.
The angle of the Nexus 4 wireless charger makes it easy to use while charging.
During our test, the Nexus 4 wireless charger is capable of charging the Nexus 4 as fast as with a USB cord.
Users can use the Nexus 4 wireless charger with the official Nexus 4 Bumper case, and likely with other similar style cases. The charger even works with slim cases like the Spigen Ultra Slim Air Nexus 4 case,
Connect to the included Micro USB cable and charger.
Google and LG include a Micro USB cable and a wall charger with the Nexus 4 wireless charger so everything you need to start charging is in the box. This is a nice touch, especially considering the Nexus 7 dock skimps in this area.
The Nexus 4 wireless charger is a single function device. There are no headphone jacks, Bluetooth connectivity or video out functions, so keep that in mind before buying.
No need for exact placement with the Nexus 4 and the Nexus 4 wireless charger.
Overall the Nexus 4 wireless charger is a great Nexus 4 accessory that is well worth the $60 price. The elegant design, easy charging and small size should serve as an example to other manufacturers of what a wireless charger should look like and how it should function.
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- Android 5.0 should make phones power on when connected to power.
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- Don’t expect a CDMA Nexus 7 2.
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- The Nexus 4 features a 720p HD display.
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- The Nexus 4 features built-in wireless charging, the Galaxy S4 is rumored not to.
Cathy Gerber
02/20/2013 at 9:31 am
Does the Nexus 4 charger heat up the phone too much, and possibly damage it?
mark
04/05/2013 at 3:08 am
That has been my experience so far the last few times I used it, but not the first few times (heat, not damage as far as i know, yet). When it heats up like this, the charge doesn’t hold for more than an hour or two.
Joe Murray (@moejurray)
02/20/2013 at 3:03 pm
I am finding my phone slowing slipping donw the surface of the charger – whether in portrait or landscape orientations.
bob
02/20/2013 at 4:09 pm
is your desk at an angle?
lilly
02/22/2013 at 12:11 am
My charger is on flat surface …
lilly
02/22/2013 at 12:10 am
Yep mine does the same..
squealingrat (@squealingrat)
03/10/2013 at 2:09 pm
same
love nexus
02/20/2013 at 9:19 pm
What about flip cover like Nillkin? Will the magnet still work? Or will it slid down?
I use a LG charger thru Nillkin cover as my charger is flat. Works out great. Slower than USB though.
lilly
02/22/2013 at 12:08 am
My phone does seem to slip whit case..doesn’t hold well…then I took off case still slipping …I left it over night “charging ” and next morning phone was still attached but not charging… The phone slipped out of charging bound …so yeah that’d the downfall on this charger… Wish the magnet was stronger so phone sticks in place.
icepuente
02/22/2013 at 8:10 am
It does not use a magnet to hold the phone into place. Try placing a normal magnet up against the orb. Does it attract to the orb? No.
Rahul
02/22/2013 at 11:01 am
Hi , can any one tell me whether this heats up the phone… I am using the Energizer Qi charger mat and the N4 heats up to 40’C. while charging…
ms
02/24/2013 at 12:09 am
I notice no significant heating. I just pulled my phone off the charger to post this, its slightly warm, but no different than charging via cable.
ms
02/24/2013 at 12:07 am
It doesn’t use magnets, it has a grippy rubber. I can stick my orb to a window and it holds fast. That’s also probably why those who use a case experience slippage.
AD
03/13/2013 at 9:11 am
Does anybody know if the charger makes any kind of humming or buzzing sound (during charging and when it is not charging)?
Calvin
03/22/2013 at 6:35 pm
I have ghost armor on my nexus 4. Will the wireless charger work
Maurice
04/11/2013 at 11:07 am
Will the wireless charger works for Samsung Nexus?