Wireless Charger, Do You Need It?

Coming from a different country means you need a plug adapter for your charger or borrowing compatible charger from someone. Since buying a plug adapter requires me to go out and sometimes I need to fight my way to use my sisters' charger, I decided to buy a new one instead. And since I can now finally buy stuff from Google Play Store (back in Indonesia, I couldn't), I wanted to try the official Nexus Wireless Charger and see what all the hype about.

The Official Nexus "Wireless" Charger

The reason I quote the wireless part because if you look at it, it's not really wireless. Oh look, wires on a wireless charger, how ironic. Inside the box, there is a normal wall charger that looks cool when disassembled, a micro USB data cable, and the wireless charger itself.

The one I bought is the new official charger, which unlike the previous orb-like official charger, has a magnetic feel which prevents the phone from slipping. I heard this was a huge issue on the previous one. And it's made of glass which definitely is suitable with my nearly all glass sexy Nexus 4.

Advantages and Disadvantages

So after a few months using it, here are the few advantages and disadvantages I found:

Advantage

• Swag: One of the biggest advantage of using wireless is the cool factor of not requiring to plug in cable into the phone.
• Scratch prevention: Ever try plugging your phone into your charger at night and miss a couple of times and fear that it way scratch your phone? With wireless charger you only have to rest the phone and voila!

Disadvantage

• Say goodbye to cases: You got a case on your phone? Well, to charge wireless not all cases work depending on the thickness. With my Nexus 4's Ringke Fusion Case luckily still charges but with my Nexus 7's leather case, it won't. You gotta take the phone out of the case to charge which can be inconvenient depending on your case and risk of scratching your phone from doing this frequently.
• You can't play with it while charging: Ever play games or reply to a message when charging? Well, you can do this but it means you either have to un-charge your phone or stick the charger to the back.
• It takes longer to charge: It takes longer too charge, and I mean way longer. It can take almost twice the time of charging directly to the cable. It even drains the battery instead of charging, well I was listening to music and WiFi enabled plus the screen was on all the time so it's partly my fault. But again, this doesn't happen when charging directly.
• It heats up when charging: My phone gets warm when wireless charging and it may not be a good sign, especially how all current Nexus' phone have non-removable battery. And again, this doesn't happen when charging directly.

Should You Get One?

Depending on what type of person your are. If you are the type that use your phone on your day and left it alone at night, it's probably for you. Since it's rather convenient if you're busy during the day, and don't wanna be hassled with plugging your phone, you can just dock the phone on the charger and sleep.

If you're a heavy user day and night, I would not recommend using a wireless charger. From my experience as a heavy user day and night, it's more of a inconvenience rather than a convenience. You gotta wait till your phone charges up to use.

So, would you get one? Or do you have one? Do tell your opinion or experience on wireless chargers.