This case brings one of the iPhone 8's biggest features to the iPhone 7 for a lot less than the cost of an upgrade
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AmazonThe iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are out, and the iPhone X will be here in less than a month, but not everyone wants or needs to upgrade.
That's especially true if you own an iPhone 7 or 7 Plus, since the differences between a single hardware generation aren't huge.
One of the notable changes, though, is wireless charging, which the new iPhones can support out of the box. Although it's not a stock feature, I was sent a charging pad and case by Bezazel that replicates the feature, and it did well in my tests.
Most Android phones and all three new models of iPhone have a wireless Qi-compatible adapter built right inside. To replicate this, Bezazel placed a similar adapter inside a slim case, which fits like a normal one, and connects to your iPhone's lightning port. You can see the place where the phone and case connect in the picture above.
With the case on, you're free to use any Qi-compatible charging pad to fill up your phone's battery without having to carry a cable. The process is as simple as putting your case-clad phone on the pad and waiting to see it start charging. As these pads become more ubiquitous — Starbucks has begun placing them in its stores — there may soon come a time where you won't need to bring an external battery pack on a day's worth of errands.
While you can use any charging pad with the phone case, I used Bezalel's during my testing time, and it works nicely. The pad itself is very small, about 10% larger than a standard Post-It, and dit cards. It's definitely the most elegant and sleek charger I've come across, and the rubberized feet on the pad's bottom keep it from sliding around.
Something I've noticed with wireless chargers, Bezalel's included, is you do have to make sure the charging adapter in the phone (or in the case, in this instance) and wireless charging pad are aligned correctly. Bezalel's case and charging pad have magnets to align them correctly, but it's worth making sure you've hit the right spot and that your phone is actually charging.
Another thing to keep in mind is wireless charging on all iPhones seems to be slower than charging through a cable. Apple has promised that it'll increase the amount of power the new iPhones can draw from a Qi charger through a future software update, but it's unclear whether or not that would impact users of this case.
The main draw with a system like this is convenience, and that's where Bezazlel's charging accessories have won me over. I kept the wireless charger at my desk at work and would set my phone onto it in the morning. I would grab it when I went to lunch, and put it back when I returned. After a few days this became second nature, and I can only imagine it will become even more convenient once wireless chargers are everywhere.
A better camera, faster internals, and a new case feel might still entice you to upgrade your phone, but wireless charging doesn't have to. It's an incredible convenience, and thanks to Bezalel, you can have a comparable experience without having to make an incredible investment.
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