By Yun Sang-ho

crow@ddaily.co.kr

[Digital Daily]

Samsung Electronics will release smartphones with a built-in wireless charging function for the first time in the world-- the “Galaxy S6’ and the “Galaxy S Edge,” which will be unveiled at a “Samsung Unpacked” event in Barcelona, Spain, on March 1 (local time).

Samsung and other sources said on Feb. 12 that the new Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S Edge have built-in wireless charging for the first time in the world. Until now, smartphones need separate cases for wireless charging. The “Optimus LTE2” phone (photo), which was launched by LG Electronics in 2012, performed the wireless charging function but through a separate case offered with the phone.

“Our new products will be wirelessly charged without a case. We expect them to serve to diffuse the wireless charging technology,” said a Samsung sources.

For wireless charging, reception (Rx) and transmitter modules (Tx) are needed. Until now, the Rx module is mounted in a separate case, while the Tx module is built in the smartphone. So for wireless charging, consumers have to purchase two accessories, in addition to the smartphone. The additional cost for separate accessories has been a major barrier to the popularization of wireless charging. Phones of Samsung Electronics have also supported wireless charging since the Galaxy S3 but failed to receive favorable responses from consumers for this problem.

Samsung built in the wireless charging function in its Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S Edge to complement their unibody design with inseparable batteries. The two new smartphones have a glass body with a metal trim and the battery is inseparable. Up until now, Samsung has promoted separable batteries as a merit of its smart phones compared to the unibody smartphones of its rival company. For this reason, Samsung is expected to stress that its new phones have inseparable batteries but can be wirelessly charged.

Wireless charging is inductive charging that uses magnetic induction. Batteries are charged when the charger and the electrical device are connected. Inductive charging is a standard created by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC). Because WPC’s “Qi” certified devices are compatible, the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S Edge can be charged by any Qi certified devices, in addition to the charger offered by Samsung. As wireless chargers can be easily made by inserting the Tx modules in them, Samsung’s new phones are forecast to offer a new opportunity to accessory manufacturers. Markets of accessories in diverse types are also expected to be created, such as charging tables, besides simple chargers.

Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics plans to put the two new phones up for sale at the end of March. With the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S Edge, Samsung wants to recover its share of the global premium smartphone market. The company also intends to take the initiative in the area of ICT fusion in the future, such as financial technology(Fintech).