Samsung’s New Galaxy Watch 7 and Watch Ultra Can't Charge Wirelessly from Your Phone – Here’s Why

Samsung's latest smartwatches, the Galaxy Watch 7 and Watch Ultra, come with a trade-off. While boasting upgraded health tracking features, they lose the convenient option of wireless charging from Samsung phones using the Wireless PowerShare function.

Farewell, Wireless PowerShare

Previously, Galaxy Watch users could conveniently top up their watches by placing them on the back of compatible Samsung smartphones with Wireless PowerShare enabled. This feature is no longer available on the Watch 7 and Ultra.

The Culprit: BioActive Sensor

The reason behind this missing feature lies in the new BioActive sensor array on the back of the watches. This redesigned sensor improves health data collection, allowing for "assessing health-related data points that were not previously supported as well as take more reliable measurements during prolonged or specialized exercises," according to Samsung.

However, the new sensor design necessitated a change in the shape of the watch's back glass. This increased the distance between the internal wireless charging coil and the charging surface, effectively rendering Wireless PowerShare unusable with smartphones.

The absence of Wireless PowerShare was initially highlighted by a user named Jordy Verboven on the social media platform X. Verboven discovered a Samsung support page confirming that the new watches do not support the feature due to the design changes brought by the new health sensors.

Traditional Wireless Charging Still Works, But with Limitations

While the Galaxy Watch 7 and Ultra can still be charged on standard wireless charging pads, the experience won't be ideal. The increased distance between the coil and the glass translates to slower charging speeds and potentially more heat generation. Samsung recommends using the included wireless charger for optimal results.

A Missed Convenience for Some Users

The loss of Wireless PowerShare might be a drawback for users who relied on the easy top-up functionality offered by Samsung phones. However, the improved health tracking capabilities might outweigh this inconvenience for those prioritizing fitness features.

Via