How to Tell If You're Using a Slow iPhone Charger

[timborama]

He wasn’t suggesting that at all. Apple’s visualization, however, suggests that “slow” charging is somehow bad.

Then only semi-useful purpose of this feature is to be able to more easily distinguish between lower wattage and some process draining the battery while charging. Otherwise the slope of the graph already tells you how fast or slow it’s charging.

Agreed. Apple should have called out “fast charging” instead. Of course Apple prefers you fast charge, more battery replacements, phone upgrades, etc.

 

[Torty]

Using 5W for my 14PM. That’s still too fast for overnight charging. Doesn’t stop at 80%.

 

[Torty]

Slow chargers are good, especially for overnight. Much better for battery longevity. Heat KILLS batteries. I've found wireless chargers in vehicles get so hot that the phone actually stops charging. I typically don't use those chargers and just plug in, especially if on a long trip and using CarPlay for GPS.

Many buy new phones once the battery is gone bad. Perhaps this is the reason.

 

[jasonsmith_88]

Sure, more current will create more heat, but, battery tech and composition have evolved too.
What it really boils down to is how “fast” is too fast…
But a generic statement that “fast charging” is bad is not true anymore

Would you mind sharing your source outlining this evolved battery tech and composition that is immune to heat? That sounds like an incredible advancement, so I’m surprised no one has been talking about it. Would be great to learn more about this new tech; heat is pretty much the biggest killer, so this advancement will revolutionise battery powered devices.

 

[Chidoro]

“Common causes of slow charging “
…I do so on purpose because I’m not in a rush and prefer to extend long term battery health

 

[DailySlow]

Here's what you see at the i in the battery graph. BY THE WAY my phone's plugged into USB type A Mac mini. It's helpful and shaming-free. LOL

 

[bigjnyc]

I charge overnight so don't need fast charging.... Always put my phone on an old school 5W brick with a USB A to USB C cable. nice slow charge, gentle on the battery.

 

[ZeroInspo]

The original 5W charger is the best charging method you can use if you want your battery to keep in the best condition. If you care for it. I care for it and I buy new phone every year. I speak from the experience. The best you can do for the battery is if yo don’t use fast chargers and don’t use wireless chargers. Also, don’t charge it above 80%. This is it. If anyone tell you differently it’s a lie or the person don’t know a thing about it.

Why would you care about battery life so much if you change your phone every year? It’s pointless, the battery is never going to degrade so much in a year that it’ll make a difference. All you are really doing is that for the entire lifespan of your phone it has the battery life of a phone with a degraded battery.

Talk about exercise in futility…

 

[ignatius345]

I've got several low power Qi chargers in the mix, but they're in places where the phone sits for many hours (work desk, home desk, bedside). I prioritize fast charging in the car, and the charger I keep in my backpack for on the go topping off.

 

[orev]

This article (written by AI) and paid for by accessory makers for the upcoming holiday gift season. The VAST MAJORITY of people do not want or need fast charging. Overnight slow charging is far better for battery longevity than fast charging.

 

[bollman]

Slow charging=lower temps=longer life=win

 

[rm5]

Of course Apple prefers you fast charge, more battery replacements, phone upgrades, etc.

Oh yep, never though of it this way, but this is probably the case. Good lord, companies are greedy!

I charge overnight so don't need fast charging.... Always put my phone on an old school 5W brick with a USB A to USB C cable. nice slow charge, gentle on the battery.

Same!! I only use a 20W brick when I am desperate for more battery quick (which is pretty rare).

Slow charging=lower temps=longer life=win

Yep! Couldn't have said it better!

 

[AF_APPLETALK]

I still don’t understand why Apple doesn’t offer charging by Smart Connector pins - it’s convenient, magnetically aligned, pseudo wired rather than wireless, and thus efficient and better for the battery. Apple could sell an official dock and other accessories.

Yeah I have thought this same thing. A MacBook like MagSafe mechanism would be great, and probably cheaper than the inductive coils they’re using right now.

I have the MagSafe connector for my iPhone, but I never use the because the heat it generates, and this weird vibration sensation I feel if I pick my phone up while it’s MagSafe connected. I believe that means that it’s low-grade shocking me, and it’s not like their 20w adapter is offered with a grounding pin.

 

[Sportpoz]

For years they told us that slow charging is better, and now they want it to charge fast

 

[fyun89]

Slow charging also heats the battery and for a much longer period....Apple 15 to 25 watt charging, can in no way be considered fast charging.
What Apple is really saying is either extreme (too fast or too slow) is bad for your battery health and they're right!

Slow charging can heat, but at much less degree than fast charging does. (fundamental law in thermodynamics: more energy = more heat)

If the properties of Lithium Ion battery has optimal max temperature of 30 degree Celcius, and fast charging causes it to be 31 degree and slow charging allows it to go up to 29 degree, then obviously fast charging is degrading the battery faster.

What I'm trying to say is that there is a tipping point and fast charging can induce this more. A heat by itself is not the cause but the intensity of it is.

 

[Jashar7]

This article and feature is surprising to me. There used to be a belief that slow (or "trickle") charging is better for the battery. Isn't that still the case? Why is Apple shaming slow charging if it's actually better?

You got it wrong the “trickle charging” starts when your iPhone reaches the 80% mark that’s why it takes so long to charge from 80% to 100% rather then 0% to 80%

 

[HazeAndHahmahneez]

And your iPhone’s battery will probably last longer than others who do fast charging…
I don’t know why Apple colored in orange the slow charge periods. It’s clearly better for the battery 🤷🏼‍♂️. Fast charging should be in red instead.

idk I thought it was pretty obvious. Green = go (normal or fast), yellow = slow, red = emergency issue /incompatibility.

I deliberately use a slow 5W charger if I’m leaving the phone overnight or don’t need a quick charge. Charging slow is better for long-term battery health!

amen, preach! Over night I use the old 10 watt brick and the usb a - usb C black braided cable as found on Apple website. USB C - USB C Fast charging for top Offs etc.


…what is weird is that as far as compatibility concerned, the slow usb a - c cable is NOT listed for 16 pro max (didn’t check rest of 15s)….

a lil shady if ya ask me

oh Apple gonna apple…I’ll take nickel and dimin ova gross google/ Smoogle all day any day though..,and wouldn’t most of the US.

I charge overnight so don't need fast charging.... Always put my phone on an old school 5W brick with a USB A to USB C cable. nice slow charge, gentle on the battery.

nice.

 

[Fluffyk]

Why would you care about battery life so much if you change your phone every year? It’s pointless, the battery is never going to degrade so much in a year that it’ll make a difference. All you are really doing is that for the entire lifespan of your phone it has the battery life of a phone with a degraded battery.

Talk about exercise in futility…

It certainly looks better with 100% battery condition when I sell the phone and it makes me feel good and efficient.

 

[Marx55]

This is amazing. Fast battery charge reduces its life. Slow battery charge is the best whenever possible. And no, gadgets with lithium-ion batteries last much much much more than a year. If you want, of course! Let's protect the planet Earth!

 

[DENZIE]

well, USB-A is limited to 5 Watts ...

Not true. USB A standard peaks at 5 volts * 2.4 amps = 12 watts.
Perhaps you’re confusing wattage for voltage.

 

[zorinlynx]

Not true. USB A standard peaks at 5 volts * 2.4 amps = 12 watts.
Perhaps you’re confusing wattage for voltage.

12 watt charging on USB-A was a proprietary Apple thing that even apple doesn't support anymore.

There were also even faster USB-A charging "standards" like Qualcomm QuickCharge but they're also mostly not supported anymore.

Officially USB-A only supports charging up to 5V, 1.5A, or 7.5 watts. That's it. You're not going to get more than that from a USB-A port with your iPhone. You have to move to USB-C.