Rouxenator
Dank meme lord
I was wondering if a phone charged from a low current source, like a PC USB port, will hold the charge for longer than one charged from a high current source, like a 2A AC adapter?
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Charging : USB vs AC Adapter - does it make a difference?
- Thread starter Rouxenator
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ScottulusMaximus
Honorary Master
No, it'll just take longer to charge on the USB.
Rouxenator
Dank meme lord
Longer.... and more thorough ?
Budza
Executive Member
The battery won't get as warm via the lower current.
Apparently that's better for battery longevity (not 'life').
I tend to charge via PC USB rather than AC (still USB..).
0.5A from PC USB2 or 0.9A from USB3.
My phone came with a 2A adaptor which I use when travelling/out and about and I need a quick boost.
Charging at home I use a 0.7A Blackberry charger.
I try to keep phone between 30% and 80%.
http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/how_to_prolong_lithium_based_batteries
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Budza
Executive Member
I think the longer charge just gives the battery life estimator a better sample, so it may be more accurate.
Higher amperage, quicker charges might cause the estimation to be a little over-optimistic, resulting in shorter perceived battery life..
ScottulusMaximus
Honorary Master
No... Electricity doesn't work like that. As long as the current you're giving it is within the designed parameters of the battery it'll be fine. Charging it slowly does not charge it "better" or more "thoroughly" it just charges it slower.
Heat is definitely a big factor in decreasing a batteries charge cycles. Never ever charge lithium batteries with a current higher than its rated maximum as you risk overheating it and damaging the cells, and at worst causing it to burst into flames. I.e. if your phone came with a 2A charger, don't go use a iPad 2.4A charger. On the flipside, I have noticed that numerous devices refuse to charge if the input current is too low, my S4 refuses to charge on a S3 0.7A charger, and my Samsung Note N8010 refuses to charge with 1A, or a generic 2A, and only charges on its original charger. My girlfriends S6 refuses to charge on my high-quality 2A car charger, but my S4 charges really quick on it.... 
Now this is only phones, if you are into RC hobbies, there are all sorts of charging solutions to keep high performance Li-Ion and Li-Po batteries in tip top condition... but I doubt you will charge your phone with that...
Now this is only phones, if you are into RC hobbies, there are all sorts of charging solutions to keep high performance Li-Ion and Li-Po batteries in tip top condition... but I doubt you will charge your phone with that...
Heat is definitely a big factor in decreasing a batteries charge cycles. Never ever charge lithium batteries with a current higher than its rated maximum as you risk overheating it and damaging the cells, and at worst causing it to burst into flames. I.e. if your phone came with a 2A charger, don't go use a iPad 2.4A charger. On the flipside, I have noticed that numerous devices refuse to charge if the input current is too low, my S4 refuses to charge on a S3 0.7A charger, and my Samsung Note N8010 refuses to charge with 1A, or a generic 2A, and only charges on its original charger. My girlfriends S6 refuses to charge on my high-quality 2A car charger, but my S4 charges really quick on it....
Now this is only phones, if you are into RC hobbies, there are all sorts of charging solutions to keep high performance Li-Ion and Li-Po batteries in tip top condition... but I doubt you will charge your phone with that...
Using a charger with a higher amp rating won't damage the device, current is pulled (Volts push). Think about a normal 220V output on a 15A breaker. You don't have to use 15 amps all the time, you just can't pull more than that.
Yes true, the difference comes in that that higher current charger will cause the battery to heat beyond its design spec which is where the damage comes in. Else we would just plug a 10A cable in and charge your phone in 10 minutes
Yes true, the difference comes in that that higher current charger will cause the battery to heat beyond its design spec which is where the damage comes in. Else we would just plug a 10A cable in and charge your phone in 10 minutes
I hear what you're saying but the charging circuitry is built into the phone. It won't pull more that it's designed to. Whether you agree with the max current the engineers decided to pull is another matter.