Charge test: Battle of the fast chargers

10 April, 2015
Smartphone batteries piggybacked on the growing screen size to go up in capacity to support both the screen and faster chipsets. Slower to deplete, the new batteries also proved slower to charge so manufacturers tackled the issue with new standards.

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  • D
  • AnonD-71586
  • ajV
  • 25 Apr 2015

You guys do realize that if you're charging a battery to fast you are degrading the battery. That is why you should never use a charger that has more power, sure it might charge faster but with time the batteries ability to hold a charge will go down. Also batteries should not be let to fully deplete maybe 3-4 times in a month is ok.Another thing that affects longevity is fast discharging. I prefer longevity over fast charging since a lot of phones now don't have removable batteries, sure if i had a removable battery i wouldn't care since i could buy another for 20$ and have the phone hold a charge like in it's first day, but given the fact that i have a phone with no removable battery i prefer to charge it overnight. You can safely plug the phone every night even if it's got 50% of battery, it doesn't count as a cycle, it will count as a full cycle if you plug it at 50% 2 times, batteries are not as they used to when you charged 50% battery and it counted as a full cycle. When it's done it will just stop charging no harm done, no problem and longevity and if you have a phone with a big battery and a full charge doesn't last you a day you might have a problem. Anyway long story short, yes faster charging is possible if they wanted they could make the batteries charge even faster the reason they are taking their time with it is to try and charge faster while maintaining longevity

    • J
    • Jovan
    • X}M
    • 25 Apr 2015

    Congrats to the iphone owners! Especially to those who still defend their iphones charging capability. You guys are the most loyal wall huggers. hahaha But seriously, you guys need to stop your ifanaticism. And be careful while charging your iphones, do not do it while using the phone in the shower or in the bathtub because people died because of that. I kid you not.

      • ?
      • Anonymous
      • 7Xp
      • 20 Apr 2015

      For real? iPhone 6 plus takes 3 hours to fully charge?

        • b
        • brightfuturetech
        • fsT
        • 16 Apr 2015

        If u think fast charge is not a priority, n dat it degrade batt. longitivity, then y is it dat al da researched next gen batteries (which r in da pipeline, probably to reach consumers in few years), come wid a fast charge technology? Some r as fast as 5sec, 20sec nd 30sec., an electric car's battery which was charged for only 5min (on par as da time used to fill tanks at filling stations) was able to cover 1500miles b4 it stopd.. I fink da future for fast charge z bright n da best way to go., if u doubt, read more abt nxt gen batt.,

          • D
          • AnonD-310738
          • Nw5
          • 16 Apr 2015

          ifan a.l.e.r.t!!!

            • D
            • AnonD-370537
            • thd
            • 16 Apr 2015

            Smuti, 15 Apr 2015Because this isn't a US site.This is may be a korean site.

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • v0q
              • 15 Apr 2015

              Is there any fast chargers available for lg g pad 8.3?? Please help me

                • S
                • Smuti
                • pu0
                • 15 Apr 2015

                AnonD-385681, 13 Apr 2015Dear gsmarena, wby are you forgetting moto turbo, its a bea... moreBecause this isn't a US site.

                  • N
                  • Nihal
                  • P}v
                  • 15 Apr 2015

                  Missed LG Gflex2...

                    • d
                    • datta
                    • X}s
                    • 15 Apr 2015

                    LG not considered here, G3 charges very quickly similar to that of oppo

                      • D
                      • AnonD-374448
                      • tue
                      • 15 Apr 2015

                      AnonD-183154, 12 Apr 2015Regular fast charging (not the OPPO kind) will kill the bat... moreYou obviously have never used Samsung Smartphones (not the high end anyway).

                      Going back From s2, ive used 5 diff galaxy S & notes. Not once ive ever needed to get a spare batt for my phones. i always charge my phones before going to bed & only unplugged before going to work.
                      Not a problem . So.
                      Stop trolling, u know nothing.

                      But, im sorry if ure talking from the experience of using low end, cheapest model. i wouldn't know their qualities.

                        • g
                        • genius
                        • k09
                        • 14 Apr 2015

                        Droid turbo 15min 8 hours of battery and 48 hours fully charged y is that not here

                          • K
                          • Kumar
                          • sSR
                          • 14 Apr 2015

                          How about nexus 5

                            • D
                            • AnonD-85329
                            • y@V
                            • 14 Apr 2015

                            very useful article....thanks GSMArena

                              • r
                              • rafael
                              • t7X
                              • 14 Apr 2015

                              I'm just wondering why my galaxy note 3 charges pretty fast. I'm certainly not complaining. but I guess the galaxy note3 charges faster than the note4 and the s6 duos.is this because of the usb 3.0 that it has?

                                • D
                                • AnonD-92186
                                • XMk
                                • 14 Apr 2015

                                Meizu may be the slowest performer from all (better than iPhone 6 Plus though). But remember this phone only cost you 1/4 price of all the high end listed here.

                                  • d
                                  • davidzxa
                                  • LC8
                                  • 14 Apr 2015

                                  Where is the droid turbo?

                                    • ?
                                    • Anonymous
                                    • U}}
                                    • 14 Apr 2015

                                    rafael, 11 Apr 2015I'm just wondering why my galaxy note 3 charges pretty fast... morei have note2, note3, s5 and note4

                                    s5 is the fastest charging 1:20
                                    second note4
                                    third note3
                                    fourth note2

                                      • ?
                                      • Anonymous
                                      • U}}
                                      • 14 Apr 2015

                                      AnonD-385650, 13 Apr 2015Why no test with BlackBerry phone? Z30 or Passport? Both ha... morehey its 2015... we use bbm on android nowadays.... lol

                                        • K
                                        • KH
                                        • PPK
                                        • 14 Apr 2015

                                        does this result in people will buy LESS APPLE product? I don't think so.