Samsung phones might lose wireless charging after patent battle loss

Wireless charging is a feature that many modern phone users rely on, including myself. However, Samsung users may face issues with Qi charging as the company recently lost a court case over a wireless charging patent. This loss could result in Samsung having to pay damages or potentially lose access to the wireless charging feature.

In 2022, Samsung was sued by Mojo Mobility for infringing on five of their US patents related to wireless charging in phones sold from 2016 onwards. Despite Samsung’s attempts to invalidate the patents, they were found guilty of “willfully infringing” on the patents and were ordered to pay $192,136,029 in damages. This legal battle highlights the importance of respecting intellectual property rights in the tech industry.

There is a possibility that Samsung may need to remove wireless charging from future products or find alternative technologies that do not violate the patents. It is also speculated that existing Samsung phones may require a software update to disable wireless charging, although this outcome is uncertain.

Samsung is expected to appeal the decision, as the Eastern District of Texas is known for its strict enforcement of patent laws. Samsung has faced similar lawsuits in the past and has a team of lawyers dedicated to defending against patent trolls. Despite their efforts, the outcome of this case is likely to result in a significant financial loss for Samsung.

Overall, the impact of this legal battle on Samsung and its products may take months or even years to fully materialize. In the meantime, users of Samsung devices should stay informed about any potential changes to their wireless charging capabilities.