On December 22, Tesla announced the launch of the Tesla Wireless Charging Platform, a wireless charger capable of charging up to three Qi-enabled devices at once. The concept is somewhat similar to Apple's AirPower, as the three devices can be placed anywhere on the Tesla charging mat, receiving up to 15W of power each.
Can Tesla succeed where Apple failed?
Tesla's charging mat uses FreePower, an Aira technology that has been used in other wireless charging pads like Nomad's Base Station Pro. Nomad's Base Station Pro also allowed charging from any point on the charging pad, but it proved problematic because it didn't work well with the iPhone 12 and later due to a firmware issue.
According to the company's statements, the design is inspired by the angular design and metallic styling of the Cybertruck. While the exterior styling appears to be based on the Cybertruck, the idea is suspiciously similar to Apple's failed attempt at a product that was supposed to be called AirPower.
Looking at it in detail, it's hard not to see it as Tesla's attempt to make AirPower a reality. Still, the wireless charging pad won't be compatible with Apple Watches. Tesla's charger offers 15W of fast charging for any device you place on the pad, but the devices have to work with the Qi wireless charging standard. That means you still won't be able to charge your Apple Watch alongside your AirPods and iPhone as AirPower promised.
The precision of imprecision.
The great thing about Tesla's wireless charging pad is that you don't need to be super precise when placing your device on the pad. You can also set the charger up flat or at an angle with its detachable magnetic mount. The wireless charging pad is powered by a 65W power adapter that connects with a USB-C cable.
It's worth noting that the charger's guts are actually made by FreePower and its free-positioning wireless charging system. So think of this more as a Tesla skin around FreePower's wireless charging technology.
Unique design and exclusive functionality
Inspired by the Cybertruck's angular design and metallic styling, the Tesla Wireless Charging Pad provides 15 watts of fast-charging power per device for up to three devices simultaneously. Its sleek design features an aluminum enclosure, a premium Alcantara surface, and a removable magnetic stand that allows you to lay the charger flat or at an angle for better viewing. Featuring FreePower® technology, it charges your Qi-compatible devices like phones or earbuds placed anywhere on its surface without precise alignment.
A detailed view of the Tesla Wireless Charging Station
Beneath the Alcantara fabric cover, Tesla's charger has a whopping 30 Qi charging coils, which will charge your device regardless of its orientation or where you place it on the pad. According to Tesla's website, the device has been "engineered with FreePower wireless charging technology." If that name doesn't ring a bell, that's because it's new—the company used to be called Aira, and in 2020 we called its (at the time) buggy system "the closest thing to AirPower" we could find.
But how does it compare to the failed AirPower?
Many people have compared the wireless charging pad to Apple's now-cancelled AirPower, and it's understandable why. The iPhone maker also promised an accessory that would charge up to three devices at once, no matter where they were on the pad. But that was really only part of what made AirPower so interesting; during its announcement, Apple said you could also use the mat to charge your Apple Watch, and that it and your devices would "work together intelligently and communicate with each other to manage the charge through a more efficient charging system." However, these promises never materialized.
Meanwhile, Tesla isn't promising any of those things. That means you won't be able to use the pad to charge your Apple, Galaxy, or Pixel Watch, as most wearables aren't compatible with the Qi standard. And Tesla's website doesn't mention that the devices can communicate for maximum charging efficiency.
Although it's debatable whether that last point is that important. With a 65W power adapter and the ability to pump up to 15W to all three devices, Tesla doesn't need to optimize efficiency to the level Apple attempted to do in 2018. For many customers, this won't be a major necessity, though the inability to charge smartwatches is a big consideration. The goal of this type of product is to have one place to charge all your devices, but the fact that you can charge multiple devices, as long as they support the Qi standard, makes it possible to charge them simultaneously.
Who is the Tesla Wireless Charging Station for?
This unit isn't exactly cheap. The first thing to consider before considering a purchase of this caliber is to analyze whether you have enough devices to get the most out of it. If the answer is yes, this device will certainly make your life much easier. If you're only going to charge one or two devices, this type of charger may be quite overkill.
One point to consider is that if you want to place three devices in it, they'll be very close together, making the ability to place those devices anywhere less practical. There may be other, more affordable options on the market, but there's one area where Tesla's device surpasses the competition.
If you're someone who wants to be able to charge three devices at once quickly and wirelessly, or hate having to carefully place your phone and earbuds on a charging pad, it's great to see FreePower technology appearing in more chargers. And your life will be much easier when it comes to charging all your devices.
Available now on GSM Pro.
The wireless charging pad has been available for pre-orders since December, with shipping in February of this year. But you know what's best? We at GSM Pro already have it available for you. You can purchase it in our store by clicking this link.