The charger is the cheapest part of a phone and the one people replace most, which is exactly why fake and poor-quality chargers are everywhere. A bad one charges slowly at best; at worst it damages the battery or catches fire.
Chargers
What to look for
- Wattage (W): how fast it can charge. 5W is slow. 15 to 25W suits most phones. Your phone only uses fast charging if the charger and cable support the same standard (USB Power Delivery, Samsung Super Fast Charging, Tecno and Infinix's own).
- USB-C for any phone made in the last few years.
- Weight: a genuine charger feels solid. Fakes are light because the safety components are missing.
- Where you buy: the phone brand's own shop or a reputable electronics store. Roadside chargers with a famous logo are almost always copies.
Warning signs
- The charger or the phone gets hot while charging.
- A buzzing sound.
- Charging stops and starts, or the touch screen goes jumpy while plugged in.
- A burning smell. Unplug it at once and throw it away.
Cables
Cheap cables break inside and charge slowly. A good USB-C cable costs little more and lasts years. Carry one known-good cable of your own.
Power banks
What the numbers mean
- mAh is the capacity. A 10,000mAh power bank typically charges a phone about one and a half to two times, because some energy is lost in the transfer.
- Output (W): 18W or more gives reasonably fast charging.
- Ports: USB-C in and out is the most useful.
Fake capacity
Many cheap power banks claim 20,000, 30,000 or 50,000mAh and contain a fraction of that. Signs of a fake:
- A huge number on a small, light power bank. Real 20,000mAh banks are noticeably heavy.
- No brand name, or a misspelled one.
- It takes a very short time to recharge.
A reputable 10,000mAh bank is more useful than a fake 50,000mAh one. Good brands are widely available in phone shops.
Safety
- Do not charge phones under pillows or on beds. Heat has nowhere to go.
- Do not leave a swollen or damaged power bank charging. Swelling means the battery inside is failing.
- Power banks are carried in hand luggage on flights, never checked in, and airlines limit their size. Most allow up to 100Wh (about 27,000mAh) without permission.
- Unplug chargers during power cuts and storms. See protecting devices through power cuts.