Chargers are pretty common and come in different types and vary in terms of their output according to the requirement of the device they came with or were built for. We use them to juice up our phones and other devices, so we can stay connected and productive.
But can a charger damage your phone or your phone battery?
Yes, A charger can indeed damage the device. Using Fake chargers could harm your phone’s battery. “Cheaper chargers” may or may not have the necessary voltage standards or requirements in place to keep your phone’s battery fully charged.
This fluctuation of the voltage can damage the charging port or the battery.
In this article we will explore why you using a cheap third-party charger can be damaging and some ways to prevent any damage to the device while charging.
Why using cheap chargers is bad
You’ve probably heard the saying, “you get what you pay for.” This is true when it comes to phone chargers also.
The market is loaded with different types of chargers, from bad to the official charger that comes with your phone. It can be tempting to buy a cheaper charger. If you are looking for a charger that will damage your battery, then, by all means, purchase a knockoff charger!
However, if you want a charger that will safely and efficiently charge your phone, then you should invest in a quality charger.
You already know quality products and being cheaper don’t go together. You cant expect a good quality product if you are not willing to pay for it, but what exactly is the reason that makes knock-off cheap chargers damaging.
Different voltage
Voltage is the most important specification that you should keep on notice when it comes to using the charger. The output voltage of the charger will determine how much amperage will flow into the phone.
The output voltage must be compatible with your phone. Supplying your phone with either low or high voltage can be bad. Most smartphones require a consistent supply of 5 volts.
Delivering too much voltage to your device can damage the charging port, overheat the battery, or even cause it to catch fire, high voltage can result in a high amount of amps entering the device.
On the other hand, if not enough voltage is supplied, your phone will take longer to charge.
Low-quality charger fails to deliver a consistent voltage and often there are spikes and drops in the voltage which can damage your phone charger port and also decrease the life expectancy of your battery.
Higher amperage
Amperage or current is the flow of electrons and it is measured in amps. One amp equals six billion trillion electrons flowing per second.
Using a third-party low-quality charger with your phone can also result in the charger supplying more amperage than what is required by your device.
This can only happen if the voltage is not consistent or if the voltage is higher than what the phone requires. Your phone controls the amount of amperage that is entering a battery.
It is perfectly fine to use a charger with a higher amperage than what the device needs. Your phone will only pull the amps it needs from the power supply.
Lower amperage
The low-quality charger might not be able to provide the optimal amount of amp your phone needs to charge the battery quickly.
Using a charger with low amp than what the phone requires will put pressure on the charger as well as the phone because the phone is trying to pull more amp than what the charger is supplying.
It is important to know that most of the damage caused by using a charger with lower amperage is not visible and only manifests over time as the life expectancy of your battery decreases.
It is better to avoid cheap chargers and spend a few more bucks to get a branded one. You might get lucky and nothing bad happens but it is not worth the risk.
It will cost you a lot more to get the battery replaced compared to what you would have spent on a quality charger.
Preventions
Now let’s talk about some of the things that you can or avoid to prevent any damage to the phone while charging.
1-Removing phone protective case
When you are charging your phone especially if you are using a fast charger it generates heat. The amount of heat generated will depend on the temperature of the surroundings and where the phone is placed.
It is advisable to take off the phone’s protective casing while charging it. It’s normal for the battery to get a little warm. but if the case acts as a barrier and prevents heat transfer, this may cause harm.
2-Using your phone while charging
Using your phone while charging is not that bad and it is not entirely bad for the battery life but it can be damaging.
It depends on how you are using your phone while it’s plugged in. If you are playing games or watching videos that require high processing speed and frames. This will generate more heat than usual which can be bad.
3-Reducing the usage of fast charger
We all love fast chargers and the way they can quickly charge our phones. Fast charging is not that damaging because the phones that support fast charging are usually made to withstand and damage that comes with it.
But if you can try and use the fast charger only when you are in a hurry and use the regular charger for day-to-day charging.
This will help reduce any potential damage that might be caused by using a fast charger.
Conclusion
I hope you found this article helpful and informative. Damage by the charger is something that is often overlooked but it is important to be aware of the potential risks.
It is best to avoid fake chargers with no brand because they might not have the proper safety measures in place. They can damage your phone without you even knowing it.
It is also important to take some preventive measures to avoid any damage to your phone while charging as mentioned above.