Sony Xperia Z2 officially gets wireless charging

Wireless charging is a convenient alternative to the old-fashioned way of topping up the battery in a mobile device, the latter of which entails a cable connection to a PC or wall charger. Lay the device on a compatible charging plate, that is plugged in obviously, and it will start charging. It is not as fast as some would like it to be, as the amperage is not as high as what wall adapters deliver, but is considerably faster than what a USB connection outputs. And have I mentioned it is extremely convenient?

With a Nokia-branded wireless charging plate -- which is based on the popular Qi standard -- I can charge both my Lumia 920 and Google Nexus 7, without having to deal with wires laying around, worrying that I might trip over one at night. Even though the benefits are obvious, not many smartphone manufacturers have fully embraced the technology, only offering the feature through optional (read: expensive) accessories. Take Sony, for instance, which just now offers a way for Xperia Z2 owners to get their wireless charging fix.

Sony announced, today, two new accessories that enable Qi wireless charging on its flagship Android smartphone, namely the Wireless Charging Cover WCR12 and Wireless Charging Plate WCH10. Of the two, the case offers the most value, as it is a "flip/booklet style protective cover", that, on top of enabling the said feature, can hold the Xperia Z2 at an angle that makes "internet browsing and watching videos much more comfortable". If you are into cases, this one sounds like a good option.

It adds 66 grams to the weight of the Xperia Z2, and measures 149 x 78 x 14 mm when attached to the smartphone. It is made of synthetic leather, in case you are wondering.

The same cannot be said about the wireless charging plate, which offers specs similar to just about any other device of its kind, that is Qi-compatible, on the market today. It even looks similar to those. It weighs 51 grams and measures 78 mm in diameter and 7.7 mm in thickness. The length of the cable is 1.8 m (5.9 ft).

Sony has not provided any information regarding price or date of availability for either of the two. But, do not expect them to be cheap. My advice is to get the case and skip the Sony-branded charging plate if it is pricey and get a cheaper, similar one instead from another brand (like Nokia).