Energizer Inductive Charger and iPhone 3GS Case Review

Power of Qi charges with no wires

Oct 11 2010, 1:45pm CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Energizer Inductive Charger and iPhone 3GS Case Review

Today I am looking at the Energizer Inductive Charger that supports the iPhone 3G/3GS and the Blackberry Curve 8900. The charger uses Qi technology to support all sorts of devices. The coolest part is that in the future the Qi tech can be built-into smartphones and other devices so you won’t need a sleeve for charging. Read on for all for the details.

Gallery

1 images

Specifications

The Energizer Inductive Charger is a rectangular base that can charge two devices at one time with two charging zones. The Energizer Inductive Charger requires either a case sleeve for the iPhone or a replacement battery door for the Curve to operate. The charge pad sells for $89 and the sleeve or battery door each cost $34.99.

In Use

The Energizer Inductive Charger looks just like all the other wire free chargers on the market. I have looked at several of these wireless chargers over the years and they all let you charge without having to mess with wires. The Energizer Inductive Charger has the Energizer brand recognition going for it and uses Qi technology that will be compatible with any case of smartphone on the market using Qi technology no matter the brand.

The charger plate is glossy black, which means it shows fingerprints and smudges. The good news is that you don't have to touch the charge base to put a device down to charge. You only have to touch the device itself.

I don’t use a Blackberry so I can't test the Qi Door for the 8900 Curve. I tested the device using the Qi sleeve for the iPhone 3G and 3GS. The sleeve itself is very well made and has a black waffle print design on the back. I really liked that the Energizer sleeve had no exposed connectors or contacts for touching the Energizer Inductive Charger base plate. The power from the charger is sent directly though the case to the iPhone.

The one downside to having to put the iPhone into a case for the Energizer Inductive Charger system is that the charge and sync port is blocked. That means each time you need to sync the iPhone with the standard cable, you have to remove the case. Many of the cases today have a mini USB port to allow you to sync with the iPhone in the case, but Energizer didn’t include that feature.

The iPhone sleeve is snug fitting and was actually so tight that it slightly peeled the screen protector film off my iPhone 3GS. The camera, volume controls, and other controls of the iPhone are left exposed for easy access. The only thing blocked by the case is the charge and sync port.

I only use a mobile phone in my house, which means I like to charge the iPhone at my bedside at night so it is there if I need it. The Energizer Inductive Charger has a blue LED that lights up when the phone is on the charging zone and getting power. That blue light is bright in a dark room and bothered me. I wish that more manufacturers would consider the light output of indicators when they build. As it is, your only options are to not have the Energizer Inductive Charger at your bedside or cover the light with electrical tape as I did.

Verdict

Pros

Nice case design
Charge base can charge two devices

Cons

Have to remove the iPhone case for sync
Blue LEDs are bright at night

Conclusion

The Energizer Inductive Charger works very well and is future proof for any device that supports Qi technology no matter who makes it. The blue LED is bright at night and you will have to remove the case to sync, but wireless charging is worth it to many users.

9.0

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Shane McGlaun
Leading our review center, Shane knows technology inside out. His extensive experience in testing computer hardware and consumer electronics enable him to effectively qualify new products and trends. If you want us review your product, please contact Shane.
Shane can be contacted directly at shane@i4u.com.