You may have noticed that your smartphone’s battery fills up quickly on one charge and slowly on the other. Let’s see why this happens and learn how to choose the right accessory for your gadget.
Table of Contents
The best way to charge your smartphone
The simplest solution is the obvious one: always use, as manufacturers advise, the native charger that is included with the purchase. Well, or buy the same. This is the safest way. However, cords and adapters get lost and fail, your charger may be occupied by someone else at home, you urgently need to buy a charger, and your native one is not in the store nearby.
The good news is that the power supply from any smartphone or tablet with a cord and a suitable connector will most likely start charging your phone (especially if it’s not an iPhone). How long and how safely this will happen is another question. We advise you to use the first devices that come across only one-time, in emergency cases. That is why further we will learn how to choose charging according to the parameters.
What parameters to look for when choosing a charger for a smartphone
Output voltage
It is measured in volts – V or V (international designation). For example, 5V or 9V. The value is indicated on the charger itself. It is important that the phone supports the same value. Information can be found in the characteristics of the phone or on the original charger for it. Exceeding the maximum allowable voltage for the phone means increasing the likelihood of damage to the battery of the device. A power supply with lower rates will also charge your gadget, but longer.
Maximum current
It is measured in amperes – A. This indicator is also indicated on the usb c adapter. As a rule, for modern smartphones, the value is at least 2 A. If the current strength is greater than that for which your smartphone is designed, this will not harm the gadget, as the protective mechanism will work. But if the current strength is less than necessary, this will adversely affect the charging speed.
Reliability of charging – how to judge it
Manufacturer certification
If it exists in principle, it already with a high probability proves the existence of the necessary minimum of safety and energy efficiency. Most often, on a quality charge, you can see the following icons: UL, CSA, CE, ETL, ENERGY STAR, RoHS or FCC (logos of independent international inspection organizations).
Power cable
The characteristics of the USB cable that connects the adapter and the phone are also important. The fact that it should fit the gadget connector is clear to everyone – otherwise you simply won’t insert it. In addition, when buying a cord, look at what current it is rated for. It should not be less than what charging is capable of.
Fast charging
Many modern gadgets support fast charging – it takes minutes rather than hours due to the higher voltage and charge current. To get the effect, you need a compatible gadget and charging.
There is no single standard for fast charging, and if you choose this one for your smartphone, be especially careful and, if possible, test what you buy. For example, the author of these lines has two smartphones at home that support fast charging, and two chargers that came with each gadget. So, one of the smartphones can be quickly charged from both adapters, and the second – only from its own. With an alien, it charges at the standard rate.
