What is the point of smartphone wireless chargers?

Question

I get that manufacturers are happy to sell more crap, and consumers are happy to buy new shiny crap. And wireless chargers are more expensive than wires, so that's an incentive for the manufacturer.But technically, is it really worth making wireless chargers? It seems to me that they are strictly more complex, require more material, charge slower and are less energy efficient. Moreover, they still require a wire: instead of plugging it into the phone, you align its magnetic end to the magnet on the phone.So is there an actual technical argument in favour of wireless chargers? Like is it that hard to make a waterproof usb socket that it justifies wasting material and energy with a radically different approach?

andrewfromx · Accepted Answer

I think it comes down to a human coming home from a long day at work and dropping their keys and phone down on the table where they always drop them. Then there is that one extra step. Plug in the phone and make sure the connection is working and the cable hasn't gone bad yet. But with wireless the human can drop the phone with the same level of "I'm done" as he can drop the keys.

drewg123 · Answer

I use a wireless charging cradle because
o It saves physical wear and tear on the lightning / USB port
o It allows charging when the lightning / USB port is damaged (its the only way my fiance could charge her old iphone after an accident damaged the lightngin port
o Its faster/easier to put down or pick up the phone to/from a cradle or charging pad while your hands are full.