Samsung unveils the first monitor that can wirelessly charge your phone

Ladies and gentlemen, we finally have a monitor that isn’t just about more screen, more pixels, and more visuals. Samsung today unveiled the SE370, claiming it’s the first monitor with an integrated wireless charging function for mobile devices.

In other words, the poorly named SE370 actually serves more than one purpose. The monitor, which comes in 23.6-inch and 27-inch flavors, has two functions: displaying content and charging your smartphone.

Here’s Samsung’s pitch: The SE370 “declutters work areas by doing away with unnecessary cables and ports needed to charge mobile devices.” More specifically, the monitor works with all mobile devices that use the Qi wireless charging standard.

Frankly, this makes a lot of sense. Wireless charging is at the stage right now where it pretty much relies on charging stations: You need a dedicated area to get that juice. A monitor is perfect for this because it’s always plugged in and, let’s face it, it’s not going anywhere.

Here’s how the monitor works: You place your device on the stand’s charging area. Automatic charging begins when the green LED light on the base turns on. That’s it.

The SE370 also has an “eye-saver mode” that reduces the harmful effects of blue light on viewers’ eyes and associated eye strain. It does this by “monitoring and optimizing picture quality to match specific environmental settings.”

Here are the key specifications:

• Panel Type: PLS
• Resolution: 1920×1080
• Response Time: 4ms
• Brightness: 250 cd/m2 for 23.6-inch and 300 cd/m2 for 27-inch
• Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (typical)
• Viewing Angle (H/V): 178°/178°
• Color: White High Glossy
• Interface: 1 HDMI(1.4), 1 DP(1.2), 1 D-Sub
• OS Compatibility: Windows (including Windows 10), Mac
• Essential Features: Wireless Charging, Eco Saving Plus, Magic Bright, Magic Upscale, Game Mode, Eye Saver Mode, Flicker Free, FreeSync, Image Size

“Technology should support, not interfere with, active lifestyles,” Seok-gi Kim, senior vice president of Samsung’s visual display business, said in a statement. “Our customers increasingly rely on mobile devices to obtain information and interact with others; so by doing away with the clutter on their desks, we are helping them to use their mobile devices in a smarter way.”

Unfortunately, Samsung didn’t provide timing or pricing for the SE370. Chances are it will be available before year end though, and hopefully won’t cost more than your actual desktop computer.