Qi Charging and Samsung's GREED!

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Let's be honest... if Apple offered this option, you'd all chastise them for being behind the times and how Android has already offered wireless charging for some time now, but when Samsung does it you all excuse it.

I think it is disgusting that Samsung is positioning itself just like Apple by offering ridiculously priced accessories now. Not having wireless charging might not be a killer, in the S4, but I think it's a wrong direction to go for the S5. Once again not a deal breaker, but a little irritating.

 

[code65536]

not a deal breaker, but a little irritating.

It's nothing compared to TouchWiz. Now that is a deal breaker.

 

[Zaap]

LOL this topic has all the usual suspects on full Apple defense mode.

So IF Apple had something that they DON'T have... and out the other side of that pretzel it's Samsung that's greedy because they DO offer it as an option.


LOL. How do you even warp your brain into that much of a pretzel to even spout such illogical nonsense?

 

[QueBert]

Lets see, which flagships have wireless charging out of the box...
HTC One?- No
LG G2?- No (unless you are on Verizon, only one to have it out of box)
Samsung S5?- No
iPhone 5s?- No
Sony Z2?- No

So, how is Samsung the only greedy one??

Apple & LG don't even offer it, I believe Sony doesn't either. Samsung knew they would have it, but wanted to make it extra accessories. They could have at least included support in the phone. But you have to buy the charger + the case? greedy

 

[WelshBloke]

I think it is disgusting that Samsung is positioning itself just like Apple by offering ridiculously priced accessories now.

Ten or so dollars is ridiculously priced?

 

[ponyo]

Seems weird Samsung still isn't support Qi on it's new phones. Nexus phones have had this feature for 2 years. What's the hold up Samsung? If Samsung is making these Qi back covers, they apparently know it's popular enough feature that they need to make an accessory for it. With all the stupid gimmicks Samsung puts in their phones, it'd be nice to put in a few that's actually useful.

I'm pretty sure Samsung announced and signed agreement to support the rival competing wireless charging technology and not Qi. So I don't understand this thread. But it doesn't surprise me to see the usual group of Samsung haters using this thread to post their usual Samsung hate. Ravynmagi, this wasn't meant at you. It's the others in this thread who dislike anything Samsung. They know who they are.

 

[dlock13]

There's one problem with wireless charging. Samsung has to cater to the wireless charging companies out there. I believe it has to do with who is gaining more from this. The consumer surely isn't since they have to buy the compatible cover and charging plate. Samsung might have a deal going with several companies with differing technology.

Samsung hasn't created its own proprietary wireless charging format. They have tried to create their own proprietary cables, but the end result was switching back to microUSB and microUSB 3.0. If Apple ever comes out with wireless charging, you know well certain that it'll be proprietary Apple technology that no one else will be able to use.

It would make sense if the hardware inside is the same and the backs would be interchangeable for the differing standards, but since you would have to get a new device if the standard is different anyway, why not go all in and build wireless charging into it or at least include the back?

 

[Zaap]

Ten or so dollars is ridiculously priced?

You have to say it with proper exaggeration...

"OMG it costs TENS of dollars!"

 

[WelshBloke]

I'm pretty sure Samsung announced and signed agreement to support the rival competing wireless charging technology and not Qi.

Thats a good point. Its pretty easy to add a charging coil to Samsung phones regardless of what standard you want to go with. The contacts are there on the back of the phone you just need to add the coil.

How does it work on other phones? Is it standard to have the contacts there even if you dont ship with a built in solution?

 

[zerogear]

Get a 3rd party aftermarket one that aligns under the back cover.

http://www.amazon.com/Standard-Wirel.../dp/B00CU7FO5C

/thread

 

[WelshBloke]

Get a 3rd party aftermarket one that aligns behind the back cover.

http://www.amazon.com/Standard-Wirel.../dp/B00CU7FO5C

/thread

OMG it costs TENS of dollars!

 

[zerogear]

OMG it costs TENS of dollars!

Well, I think the Official one from Samsung actually does cost 4 tens of dollars

 

[WelshBloke]

Well, I think the Official one from Samsung actually does cost 4 tens of dollars

OMG it costs 4 TENS of dollars!

Am I doing this right?

 

[Deeko]

The thinness argument is nonsense; the HTC 8x on Verizon had it and it was exactly the same thickness as the AT&T version, which did not.

 

[dawheat]

The thinness argument is nonsense; the HTC 8x on Verizon had it and it was exactly the same thickness as the AT&T version, which did not.

I feel like my comments are being misunderstood. My comment/question was that Samsung has focused on building as thin phones as possible for a while + the challenge of having removable batteries and back covers.

They certainly could have added thickness to the back cover (exactly like they did with the optional wireless cover).

So the S4 is 7.9mm thick with a removable battery/back. The HTC 8x is 10.1mm thick with a non-removable battery/back. Even the LG G2 is 8.9mm thick with a non-removable back.

So should Samsung basically have made the wireless back cover as the 'standard' phone b/c most people would have preferred a 9+mm thick phone with wireless charging? Personally I think it could go either way.

 

[QueBert]

OMG it costs 4 TENS of dollars!

Am I doing this right?

That's just for the cover, you still need the actual charger. So technically it's 8 TENS of dollars. Which isn't exactly cheap

 

[Zaap]

That's just for the cover, you still need the actual charger. So technically it's 8 TENS of dollars. Which isn't exactly cheap

Yeah that greedy Samsung needs to ship every phone with a free wireless charging base. Just like everyone else does.

 

[dlock13]

Yeah that greedy Samsung needs to ship every phone with a free wireless charging base. Just like everyone else does.

To be fair, it does just take one company to do it for the rest of them to follow. If one enormous company such as Sammy adds standard wireless charging + plate in the box, then other companies might feel pressured to do so. Its just no one wants to be the first to include something like that standard. If Apple were to include standard wireless charging with the plate, you know well certain that every other manufacturer would follow suit as quickly as possible.

I'm not praising Samsung or Apple, but it is honestly sad that it takes Apple to start something new. Just think about it. If Apple were to include NFC or incorporate paying by phone, BAM. You know everyone and every company (gas stations, restaurants, etc..) would incorporate that standard. At least they get the ball rolling for everyone else to catch up!

 

[QueBert]

Yeah that greedy Samsung needs to ship every phone with a free wireless charging base. Just like everyone else does.

The charger should cost money. The plate for the phone should be included.

 

[Zaap]

To be fair, it does just take one company to do it for the rest of them to follow. If one enormous company such as Sammy adds standard wireless charging + plate in the box, then other companies might feel pressured to do so. Its just no one wants to be the first to include something like that standard. If Apple were to include standard wireless charging with the plate, you know well certain that every other manufacturer would follow suit as quickly as possible.

I'm not praising Samsung or Apple, but it is honestly sad that it takes Apple to start something new. Just think about it. If Apple were to include NFC or incorporate paying by phone, BAM. You know everyone and every company (gas stations, restaurants, etc..) would incorporate that standard. At least they get the ball rolling for everyone else to catch up!

THere's so many trails of logic here that they're hard to follow.

First off, this notion that keeps getting floated "IF Apple did something that they *NEVER* do..." stuff.

So what accessory that's even remotely comparable to a full wireless charging setup did you used to have to pay for until Apple just decided to give it away for free and now everyone else does the same? What? I'd love to know, because I don't recall what it is.

And IF Apple offered NFC (that Samsung already has...) then it would prompt others to offer something they already offer and Apple doesn't? SAY HUH? That's a real brain puzzler.

Especially in light of the fact that you seem to be saying IF Samsung "steps up" and offers something, then everyone else will follow suit. OKay, so let's test that using your own example: NFC. Samsung has it. Did it prompt everyone else to do the same?

Why would Samsung be in business to prompt a massive ramp-up in giveaways... and for the entire industry no less? Sounds like priority #1 for any company.

On a similar level of reality, why don't we all hold our breath while we wait for Auto Company A to offer up all its premium optional packages STANDARD at the base price, all so they can prompt everyone else to do so as well. Sounds about as likely.

This whole IF Apple gave away wireless charging nonsense. Apple isn't giving away wireless charging EVER and hell, they don't even have it as a non-third party option now. The industry being led by the generosity of Apple is actually a laughable proposition, and yet people keep floating this strange alternate reality.

 

[Zaap]

The charger should cost money. The plate for the phone should be included.

Why exactly? Just cuz?

Apple should include a premiun case, and handfree Bluetooth kit with every iPhone. Why? Just cuz.

 

[WelshBloke]

To be fair, it does just take one company to do it for the rest of them to follow. If one enormous company such as Sammy adds standard wireless charging + plate in the box, then other companies might feel pressured to do so. Its just no one wants to be the first to include something like that standard. If Apple were to include standard wireless charging with the plate, you know well certain that every other manufacturer would follow suit as quickly as possible.

I'm not praising Samsung or Apple, but it is honestly sad that it takes Apple to start something new. Just think about it. If Apple were to include NFC or incorporate paying by phone, BAM. You know everyone and every company (gas stations, restaurants, etc..) would incorporate that standard. At least they get the ball rolling for everyone else to catch up!

I don't actually want wireless charging so do I get an £80 discount on my phone for getting them to leave it out?

 

[QueBert]

Why exactly? Just cuz?

Apple should include a premiun case, and handfree Bluetooth kit with every iPhone. Why? Just cuz.

Because it's built in to phones that cost a fraction? If Samsung wants to sell it at least make it a decent price. 40 is way too high

 

[Zaap]

Because it's built in to phones that cost a fraction? If Samsung wants to sell it at least make it a decent price. 40 is way too high

So basically "just cuz".

They need to consult you before they price anything.

I don't blame them for selling the charging cover for whatever they can get for it. They're fully aware that a segment of people will never take the minute and a half to look for themselves that the charging adapter can be had for 3x less and so will shell out for theirs.

Its also of course been pointed out that there are technical and probably legal/standards reasons why they can't do this without having their own charging standard.

BTW:I do love the notion that "IF Apple did it..." they'd surely push an open standard with the aim of everyone else using it, not their own proprietary standard that flies the bird at everything else.

 

[WelshBloke]

Because it's built in to phones that cost a fraction? If Samsung wants to sell it at least make it a decent price. 40 is way too high

If you think Samsung are charging too much buy the kit from someone else. At least Samsung have given you the option of choosing whether to have it and what implementation you want.

I'm not seeing the problem at all.