Smartphone Charger Guide: How to Power Up in Quick Time

Mobile phone chargers aren’t as simple as they used to be. As battery technologies have evolved, so to has the way in which we charge our smartphones.

This means you’ll probably be better off pairing your new smartphone with a specific type of charger, paving the way for quick and convenient charging. From your smartphone’s charging port, to the power adaptor and charging speed, there are a number of factors to keep in mind.

Some manufacturers no longer package power adaptors with new-release smartphones, seeking to drive down e-waste. You’ll usually get a charging cable, but will still need to consider your adaptor options. Chances are you’ll have at least one lying around the house, but as we explore it’s worthwhile weighing up its suitability.

In the following guide, we look at:

• Why it’s important to consider your charging options
• The different Android and iPhone smartphone charging components
• The best types of phone chargers to use
• Mixing and matching devices and chargers
• Fast charging and wireless charging technologies

Better charging: Get it right and power up in quick time

Of course, you’ll be topping up your smartphone battery in quick time by simply connecting the cable and power adaptor. However, it will be worthwhile weighing up your options to ensure you’re charging in the most efficient and effective way possible.

Keep in mind that battery health and lifespan are linked to the manner in which you charge your smartphone. While batteries progressively degrade over time, there are a number of steps you can take to squeeze every last drop of life out of your device.

As a first port of call, many smartphones now come with battery monitoring features and optimised battery charging software. It will initially be worthwhile looking at how you can harness these types of tools to slow battery depletion and contribute to safe charging.

Meanwhile, when it comes to the charger itself, getting it right will not only help to power up in quick time, but also stave off potential issues further down the track. As we cover below, there is a range of features and technologies to keep in mind.

Charger components: What you’ll need for your Android or iPhone smartphone

Smartphone chargers comprise a number of interconnected components. There are certain differences between the components used by Android and iPhone smartphones, and you should keep this in mind if multiple devices are being charged in your household.

The good news is that there are options aplenty, designed for different smartphone capabilities and charging requirements. If you’re looking for a new charger, you’ll have a range of models to choose from, either online or at your local tech store.

It may well be that you mix and match components, you’ll just need to ensure that they are compatible and cater to your charging requirements.

When shopping for a charger keep the following in mind:

• Smartphone charging port – the port built into your smartphone, to which you connect the charging cable. USB-C has become the standard for Android smartphones (older devices typically use a micro-USB port), while iPhones use a Lightning port
• Charging cable – manufacturers will usually package smartphones with a charging cable. One end connects to the smartphone (with a USB-C, Lightning or micro-USB connector) and the other to the power adaptor
• Power adaptor – as advised above, many manufacturers no longer package their smartphones with a power adaptor. USB-C has become the standard port, while USB-A is also commonly available (with multi-port options available)

If you own a newer Android smartphone, you’ll probably be best served by using a USB-C to USB-C cable and USB-C power adaptor. For iPhone owners, you’ll likely be looking at a USB-C to Lightning cable and USB-C power adaptor.

As we’ll look at in further detail in the following sections, different smartphones and chargers come with different charging capabilities.

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Charger brands: Should you use a manufacturer, third-party or generic model?

From the kitchen to the living room, digital devices now abound, and chances are you’ll already have a number of chargers lying around your house. It may well be that you’ll be able to charge your new smartphone with an older charger, but it will be worthwhile first exploring your options.

As a rule, using an older charger won’t harm your smartphone. However, the one proviso is that the charger itself is of a good quality, rather than a generic model you’ve picked up somewhere along the way (it’s best to avoid these chargers completely). 

With this in mind, in most cases, it’s better to use a newer charger from your smartphone’s manufacturer, or one made by a reputable third-party accessories manufacturer. This in turn will pave the way for both safety and efficiency benefits.

Also keep in mind that when using an older charger, you won’t be able to take advantage of the fast charging speeds on offer from your new Android or iPhone smartphone. As we’ll look at below, new chargers can top up your battery in quick time.

→Related article: Best Power Banks: A Buying Guide

Old tech, new tech: Can you mix and match devices and chargers?

When using fast charging (see below), you’ll need to ensure the cable and adaptor are compatible with your smartphone to harness its full benefits. You could use an older adaptor and cable, however you’ll be limited to the speed of the slowest component.

Conversely, you could power up your older smartphone with a new fast-charging cable and adaptor, however, in this case, will be limited by the slower charging speed of the smartphone. All components will need to be compatible to harness the full benefits of fast charging.

When it comes to mixing and matching devices and chargers, you’ll need to approach it on a case-by-case basis. As a rule, there is broad compatibility. However it is best to pair your smartphone with a suitable charger.

For instance, Apple advises that you can use Apple iPad and Mac laptop USB power adaptors to charge your iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods and other Apple products.

Charging speed: What is fast charging?

Faster charging speeds have become a key feature of new-release smartphones, which continue to arrive to market with souped-up capabilities. If you’re constantly on the go, and being able to top up in short time is important, this should be a strong focus.

Fast charging essentially sees more power delivered to your smartphone’s battery in a shorter period of time. Rather than taking hours to top up your battery, smartphones with fast charging capabilities can in many cases get the job done in well under an hour.

A key figure to look out for here is watts (W) – the more W, the faster the charge. Whereas many older charging technologies typically provided something along the lines of 5W of power, some new technologies provide in excess of 100W.

For instance, these recently released premium smartphones offer the following charging speeds:

• Samsung Galaxy S22 – 25W charging (the S22+ and S22 Ultra feature 45W charging).

• Apple iPhone 14 – 20W charging. Apple advises that up to a 50% charge can be achieved in around 30 minutes

• Oppo Find X5 Pro – 80W charging. Oppo advises it can be charged from close to empty to 50% in 12 minutes

• Xiaomi 12 Pro – 120W charging. Xiaomi advises it can be charged to 100% in 18 minutes

What is wireless charging?

Wireless charging has emerged as a key smartphone feature in recent years. And many new-release models sport both fast charging and wireless charging. As a charging cable isn’t required, it gives users the option of cutting down on tech clutter.

Wireless chargers come in a variety of models, from charging pads to docks. The charger itself will need to be plugged into a power socket, and you’ll then be able to place your smartphone in/on it when it requires a charge (as with a wired charger, you will need to confirm compatibility).

Wireless charging doesn’t reach the speeds of wired fast charging, but can still get the job done in a pretty impressive time. Many models offer between 5W and 10W charging, while up to 15W charging is available (which is substantially faster than previous wired generations).

Another interesting wireless charging feature is reverse wireless charging. An increasing number of new smartphones are arriving to market with this feature, which allows your smartphone to act as a wireless charging station for another compatible wireless device.

Keep in mind that smartphones can heat up when charging wirelessly (in fact, this is normal during any type of charging), and typically isn’t cause for concern. Of course, if you believe the heat is excessive you should stop using your charger and seek expert advice.

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About the author of this page

This report was written by Canstar author Martin Kovacs. Martin is a freelance writer with experience covering the business, consumer technology and utilities sectors. Martin has written about a wide range of topics across both print and digital publications, including the manner in which industry continues to adapt and evolve amid the rollout of new technologies.