We've had a long debate about which chargers are best for which smartphones. In the end, we came to the conclusion that some chargers are faster than others, and that even the cable is crucial when it comes to charging your smartphone's battery. How do you choose between them? With Ampere you can do it easily.
Before getting into the subject, it is worth remembering that the power load (W) is the result of voltage (V) by amperage (A). All else being equal, more power means less charging time. Today, standard charging is typically around 10W, while modern fast charging easily exceeds 20W and can scale to figures of tens and even hundreds of watts, as long as the mobile phone, charger and cable support it.
An application that monitors your battery
Ampere is an application whose main objective is monitor our battery and be able to provide us with data based on that. To do this, the app must be active during a full charge or discharge, providing us with data regarding those processes. Incidentally, it also provides us with more general data about our battery, such as your health, technology of the same, its temperature and the voltage.
In practice, Ampere displays the input/output current in mA, along with the charger status, battery level, and sensors. It is normal for the readings to fluctuate: they are influenced by the power management chip of the mobile, background activity, temperature, and the software's own measurement error margin. Still, the app is ideal for comparing similar conditions and seeing reliable trends (for example, which cable or charger delivers more current to the same phone).
Compare chargers and cables
However, the best thing about Ampere is that it's an app that can help us find out which chargers and cables are the best to use to get the fastest charge on our smartphone. To do this, Ampere shows us the current charging time on the screen. amperage of our charging process, so that we can know the intensity at which the battery is being charged. The intensity, which is measured in amps, has to do with the number of electrons circulating through the electrical circuit. Generally, a higher amperage It is synonymous with faster charging. In chargers we find the theoretical amperage of these, but other factors influence here, from the charger quality, how old it may be, the connection to the smartphone, or simply the cable itself. Ampere's own developer tells us that the amps shown on the screen may not be accurate, so we shouldn't take it as a scientific reference. However, he also tells us that the relationship between the amps of one charger or another Yes, it is accurate, and it helps us determine which chargers, cables, or combinations of these are best.
To find out, the best thing you can do is charge your smartphone each time with a different adapter and the same cable. Then choose an adapter and change the cables, and repeat this process with all the adapters until you have the best combination. If you have many devices, this will take a while, but you'll be able to find out which charger is the best of all, and which one is the best combination with the cable. By the way, don't forget that this app is compatible with Android 5.0 Lollipop and later, thanks to the new features that came with it. Project Volta.
What to look for in a charger: power, protocols, and safety
The useful power is given by W = V × A. In standard load you will be around 10 W, while fast charging can scale much further if your phone supports it. Among the most common protocols are USB Power Delivery (PD), Qualcomm Quick Charge, Super fast charging (Samsung), SuperCharge (Huawei), SuperVOOC (OPPO), Warp Charge (OnePlus), TurboPower (Motorola) or Pump Express (MediaTek). Some manufacturers reach powers higher than 100 W and even above 200 W with proprietary solutions.
In addition to power, value technology GaN (gallium nitride), which allows for more powerful chargers compact, efficient and cool; the number of ports (USB-C and/or USB-A) and how they distribute power when connecting multiple devices; and the compatibility real-time performance of your phone with these protocols. For Apple, look for certified accessories MFI. In any case, prioritize chargers with seals of to maximise security and your enjoyment. , the CE, FCC y RoHS.
The role of cable, socket and authenticity
The cable is just as critical as the charger: a poor quality one or one with thin conductors will limit the intensity and will raise the temperature. For high power use quality USB-C cables, preferably with indication of peak current and support PD. If the charger has multiple ports, remember that the power is divides between devices. For travel, check the plug type and the input voltage range of the adapter.
To avoid counterfeits, check the logo’s most emblematic landmarks, the packaging and printed certifications; buy in stores authorized. On iPhone, certified cables and chargers MFI guarantee compatibility and correct protections.
How to use Ampere to choose your best combo
Always test under similar conditions: battery below 50%, screen off, and no apps running in the background. 1) Set a same cable and change only the adapter while observing the current in Ampere; 2) Choose the best adapter and repeat changing cables; 3) Validate the winning combination with several measurements. If you use wireless charging (Qi or MagSafe), align the phone well; it is normal for the performance to be lower than the cable and for there to be more heat.
Good practices to take care of your battery and charge faster
- Keep the battery between 20% and 80% Whenever possible, reserve fast charging for specific moments.
- Avoid carrying your mobile phone overheated and don't cover the charger: temperature is the battery's biggest enemy.
- Disable features you don't use while charging to reduce background consumption and improve performance. effective intensity.
- Check in Settings if your phone supports PD/Quick Charge and the supported powers; this way you will avoid bottlenecks.
Google Play - Ampere
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With an indicative measurement of Ampere and understanding power, protocols and security, you can choose the charger and cable that best get the most out of your phone without neglecting the health of the battery; the key is in combine well adapter, cable and actual compatibility of your device.