All of our beloved smartphones, laptops, tablets, and accessories have rechargeable batteries to keep them powered for continuous use. They are charged by cables that plug into your outlets via USB wall chargers. The type of wall charger you have can greatly impact how fast your device will or will not charge.

 As experts in digital technology, we can help you understand the different types of cables, determine the amount of wattage required, and get the right wall charger for your device.

The key to fast charging and less time plugged into the wall is in the equipment you use. Below we will detail everything you need to know to maximise your device’s battery life.

Introduction to Wall Chargers

When it comes to your phone’s battery, not all wall chargers are created equally. While most new devices today use the same USB-C standard, the specifications are important for faster charging speeds. Any compatible charger will charge your device, but it may be very slow to charge.

Apple has discontinued power adapters in the packaging for iPhone users, so you will need to connect the lightning cable (included) to a third-party wall charger. Cygnett has iPhone wall chargers made for compatibility with Apple devices. 

What is Wall Charger Wattage & Why Does it Matter for my Device?

Electrical power is measured in watts (W). More specifically, wattage is used as a way to quantify the rate of energy transfer. A wall charger’s watts determine how much power it can provide. More watts means faster charging and multi-device charging capabilities.

What is Fast Charging & Why Do I Need it?

Fast charging occurs when your device is charged with a capable charger and cable at a faster rate than a standard charge. Fast charging includes (1) a device capable of fast charging, (2) using the correct power sources, and (3) knowing the max charging speed of your device(s).

A device’s maximum charge speed will usually be displayed in watts and will differ depending on the device. If you charge your device with a wall charger that has a higher wattage than the device accepts, the device will only charge at its max fast charging speed.

Over Powering vs Under Powering Your Device. How does it affect the Charging?

When it comes to charging your device, both overpowering and underpowering can have negative impacts on the charging process. Overpowering may generate excess heat and cause damage to the charging cable, wall charger, or the device being charged. Meanwhile, underpowering can result in slower charging times, no charging, and damage to the battery or internal components of the device. To avoid potential damage, it's recommended to use a charger with the appropriate voltage and amperage for your device. Using the recommended charger will ensure safe and efficient charging, preventing any issues from overpowering or underpowering.

How many Watts should my USB Charger have?

To find out how much power you need in watts, look at your phone’s specifications or user manual. Charging power and capacity varies considerably, typically between 18-80W. 

Be sure to pick a charger that matches the charging standard and power requirement of your device. And don’t forget to double-check that your wall charger has enough wattage if you plan to charge multiple devices from it.

So Which Should I Choose?

Cygnett is a world provider of digital accessories with over 200,000 retailers in 42 countries. We manufacture high-quality USB wall chargers that you can trust for every device.

Choose the 70W Dual Port GaN wall charger to fast charge two devices simultaneously. This charger is compatible with phones, tablets & USB-C laptops.

We recommend that iPhone users opt for the 30W USB-C Wall Charger for its compatibility across a range of devices, high wattage, and 0-50% charging boost in just 30 minutes.

Wall Chargers For iPhones

As of November 2020, iPhones come with a USB-C-ended lightning cable with fast charging and compatibility with more common USB-C power adapters. The older USB-A-ended cables will still work if you have a compatible adapter.  

iPhone Generational Differences & Their Standards

Aside from cosmetic upgrades such as size, display, and cameras, the battery life, video playback, and charging capabilities of iPhones also improve from model to model. 

An iPhone wall charger allows for fast charging, so you can spend less time charging and more time enjoying the moment. Apple wall charger’s watts need to be a minimum of 20W for fast charging, so any Cygnett USB-C block with 20W or more will fast charge your device.

USB-C to Lighting iPhone Generations

The iPhone socket is known as Lightning. Each phone comes with a lightning cable with USB-C on the tail end. USB-C is the newest generation of chargers that tops up devices faster than USB-A models. 

Another advantage of USB-C chargers is that they can work with both Android and Apple devices. So, if a Samsung wall charger’s watts are enough to fast charge your device, you can use that charger with your Apple cable to charge your iPhone.

USB-A to Lighting iPhone Generations

USB-A is declining in popularity but was once the standard charger type. Most portable chargers will also have a USB-A charging port because they are that common.

Older iPhone users should still have many USB-A options (for now) and be able to easily locate iPhone wall chargers for their devices. Regardless of which iPhone you have, we have lightning cables for older and newer models.

Wall Chargers Androids

In direct contrast to Apple devices, Androids have had a few different charging connectors. Even though most Android wall chargers and cables are on USB-C today, there are other USB types out there. 

Since most, if not all, Androids come with adapters in the box, using those adapters will provide you with the fastest charging speeds.

Android Generational Differences & Their Standards

Of the different generations, there are USB-A to Micro-USB, USB-A to USB-C, and USB-C to USB-C. Until switching to USB-C, Androids had used micro-USB type B for charging and data transferring since its introduction in 2008.

USB-C to USB-C Android Generations

USB-C to USB-C cables are used for charging, syncing, and transferring between two USB-C-compatible devices. For example, you can pair your new Android device with the old one to retrieve and store your old media on your new device.

Eventually, USB-C will replace all other charger types, so only one universal cable will be needed to charge all devices.

USB-A to USB-C Android Generations

Most phones after 2015 use USB-C cables. The USB-A to USB-C cable is faster and more powerful than older USB types. The USB-A end easily plugs into most wall chargers. 

Visually it may look similar to a micro-USB but it is slightly thicker, more symmetrical, and more oval-shaped. The design of the head helps to prevent damage from occurring inside the port because you can insert it into your device either way. 

USB-A to Micro-USB Android Generations

With the same USB-A connector in the wall adapter, the micro-USB cable is an older generation of cable that reached its height between 2008 and 2015. 

There are two types of micro-USB cables: micro-A and micro-B. The vast majority of smartphones use micro-B.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Benefits of Having a High Wattage Wall Charger?

Wattage relates to power, and power relates to faster charging, syncing, and transferring. Most phones will require at least 20W for fast charging to work.  Cygnett has a range of premium wall chargers for all device types.

How to tell if your Phone is Fast Charging?

A fast charger will indicate it is charging with a lightning bolt in the charging symbol. You can also look at the battery under “settings” and look for fast charging. Remember, not all phones support fast charging, especially older ones.

Can Wall Chargers Damage Battery Devices?

Luckily, the power rating of a charger does not affect your device’s battery life. A high-wattage charger will never supply more than the amount of current that your device can take.