Recently, I picked up a brand-new iPhone X and was keen to try out its wireless charging. Over the years, I’ve gone through more charging cables than I can count, most of them eventually fraying or failing. The idea of just setting the phone down and letting it charge felt like a small but worthwhile upgrade.
I headed to Meadowhall to see what was available in person. After checking a few shops, the prices were fairly consistent, sitting somewhere between £40 and £50. For something I hadn’t used before, that felt a bit steep, so I left without buying anything.
Later that evening, while scrolling through Facebook at home, I came across a Groupon advert for the Apachie Wireless Charger. The timing was hard to ignore. It was significantly cheaper than what I’d seen in the shops, so I ordered two. One for home, one to leave at work.
The ordering process was straightforward and only took a few minutes. The confirmation email suggested delivery could take up to 28 days, which seemed long, but a few days later I received another update saying they’d already been dispatched. They arrived the next day, much quicker than expected.
Inside the box was a simple round white charging pad and a USB cable. First impressions were mixed. It felt quite light and a bit plasticky, not especially premium. That said, after a few days of using it, that initial impression mattered less.
In day-to-day use, it does exactly what you’d expect. Charging is slower than plugging in directly with a cable, but for how I use it, that hasn’t been an issue. I tend to drop my phone onto the pad whenever I’m not using it, so it stays topped up without thinking about it.
There’s a small blue light that shows when the charger is powered and working. It’s not overly bright, but it’s noticeable enough to confirm everything is connected. Positioning the phone is also forgiving. I’ve found it charges reliably even when it’s not perfectly centred.
Overall, the Apachie Wireless Charger has been a useful addition. It’s simple, affordable, and fits easily into a daily routine without much thought. If you’re curious about trying wireless charging without spending much, it’s worth a look on Groupon.