Are There Any Inexpensive (< $150) Android Phones with Wireless Charging?

Russ on 02/04/2020 - 14:48
Last edited 02/04/2020 - 15:34

I'm looking for a new mobile phone, and I've always used cheap Android phones that cost $100 or less. I want the new phone to have Qi wireless charging, because I've seen just how convenient it is - just leave the phone on its charging stand when you go to sleep, and it's fully charged when you wake up.

Searching for that one feature, wireless charging, is difficult. That sort of detail is usually buried low down on the specifications sheet.

So I ask the collective wisdom of OzBargain: are their any currently-available cheap Android phones with wireless charging? Or is there a search engine just for mobile phones, where I can specify wireless charging?

Thanks in advance!

Edit: do all phones with wireless charging have a non-removable battery?

Mobile Mobile Phone Android

Comments

  • No on 02/04/2020 - 14:52
    +2

    Hey,

    You can search for wireless charging capabilities here: https://www.gsmarena.com/search.php3?

    https://www.gsmarena.com/results.php3?nYearMin=2019&chkWChar…

    • Russ on 02/04/2020 - 15:22

      Thanks, I'm searching through that now. Setting the price bars to low settings found no phones, so I relaxed the "2019" date to 2016.

      The Umidigi One Max looks good, if a little larger than I'm used to. It's still listing as new on Ebay, but the Ebay description doesn't mention wireless charging, where the GSMarena description does? I'm doing more research now.

      Edit: it does have wireless charging, from the Umidigi website, but it's a bit expensive. Looking now for more options.

    • Russ on 06/04/2020 - 18:34

      Best phone I've found so far with Qi charging is the Ulefone Armor X, currently about AU$220+GST:
      https://www.geekbuying.com/item/Ulefone-Armor-X-5-5-Inch-2GB…

      Definitely has Qi charging, but the GsmArena listing says almost nothing about this phone, doesn't even list the frequency bands:
      https://www.gsmarena.com/ulefone_armor_x-10037.php

      So I have stopped using GsmArena. But thanks anyway!

      Finding details on phones sold only in Asia is hard.

    • Russ on 02/04/2020 - 15:02
      +2

      Thanks, yes I know about that. It does shorten the life of the battery. My solution: a mains timer switch, set to turn on 5am-7am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

  • Hithere on 02/04/2020 - 15:01
    +3

    Almost any phone, price irrelevant, can have the wireless charging function added on with a Qi Wireless Charger Receiver from eBay (about $5) and a Wireless charger (about $10).

    • Russ on 02/04/2020 - 15:06

      I've tried those. Most require a case over the phone, and almost all the ones I have seen block the USB port, which I often use for work, using my phone as a USB drive. Have you seen any different types?

  • Hithere on 02/04/2020 - 15:09

    I have protective covers on my phones so that's not an issue for me. All I do is unplug the USB port connection if I need the port for something else.

    Not aware of any other cheap way :(

    • Russ on 02/04/2020 - 15:18
      +1

      Thanks anyway. A few years ago I bought a "charging case" for my wife's iPhone, which had QI charging built in, and had an external micro-USB port as well. If only such things were still available, and for Android phones!

  • brendanm on 02/04/2020 - 18:19

    You could just buy a phone that is good and, this may suprise you, but you can just plug it in and charge it at night.

    • Russ on 03/04/2020 - 01:17

      I don't know why you think it would surprise me, as I've had various mobile phones for the last 27 years.

      I'm tired of having cables break, or sometimes have bad contact and not charge properly.

      • brendanm on 03/04/2020 - 07:31

        The same thing can happen with wireless charging. I've only ever had one phone with a charging port issue in about 20 odd years, so you must be hard on gear.

  • FireRunner on 02/04/2020 - 18:28

    do all phones with wireless charging have a non-removable battery

    Nope, the Microsoft Lumia 950 has both wireless charging and a removable battery. Of course it runs Windows though…

    • Russ on 03/04/2020 - 01:23

      I just found another: LG G3 D858 had Qi charging in some localities, and has a removable battery. No longer available.

      I suspect the phone manufacturers are keeping Qi charging only for their "top line" models, which also tend to have a non-removable battery and often no slot for a micro-SD card. Both of those factors are red flags for me, it indicates the phone manufacturer wants to price-gouge you for repairs and memory upgrades.

      I've had a number of phones die on me, the ability to eject the SD card and put it into a new phone is wonderful. I'm never buying a phone without a micro-SD slot.

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