Lightning or USB-C? 20W or 25W? And why does my phone charge so slowly with the old charger? Between new standards and older models, it's easy to get confused. Here's how to find the right cable and charger to charge quickly and safely.
Step 1: identify your phone's port
- USB-C: oval and reversible port. It's the standard on all recent Samsungs, on the iPhone 15 and later, and on most Android smartphones.
- Lightning: Apple's small flat port, used on the iPhone 5 to iPhone 14.
- Micro-USB: old trapezoidal port, still found on older phones, entry-level tablets, speakers, or controllers.
Step 2: choose the cable
For an iPhone with a Lightning port (iPhone 5 to 14)
- USB-C to Lightning cable (1 m or 2 m): this is the one you need for fast charging with a USB-C charger.
- 1 m USB to Lightning cable: for older chargers with a standard USB port.
- 2 m or 3 m Lightning cable: convenient for charging from bed or the couch.
For a USB-C phone (Samsung, iPhone 15 and later, Android)
- 45W USB-C to USB-C cable: the right choice with a recent USB-C charger.
- 3A USB to USB-C cable (1 m or 2 m): to connect a USB-C phone to an older charger or a computer USB port.
For the whole family
The 3-in-1 cable combines USB-C, Lightning, and Micro-USB: one cable in the car or bag, regardless of your passengers' phones.
Step 3: choose the charger
A charger's power is expressed in watts (W). The higher it is, the faster the charge, within the limits of what the phone accepts. A more powerful charger does not damage the phone: it only takes what it needs.
- iPhone: the 20W USB-C charger allows fast charging on recent iPhones. With the USB-C to Lightning cable (or USB-C to USB-C for the iPhone 15 and later), an iPhone gets a good part of its battery in half an hour.
- Samsung and Android: the 25W USB-C charger is suitable for super fast charging on recent Samsungs.
- Several devices on the desk: the 200W 6-port USB-C charging station charges phone, tablet, and laptop at the same time.
Why does my phone charge slowly? In most cases, it's the charger: an old 5W USB block takes several hours to fill a recent battery. The cable also matters: a damaged or poor-quality cable limits the power.
In the car
- 30W dual USB-C car charger: two recent phones fast charging.
- USB-C + USB car charger: to mix old and new cables.
- Dual USB car charger: the simple and economical solution.
Far from any outlet
For a day of skiing, a trip, or a phone that no longer lasts until evening, an external battery is the best assurance: the 5200 mAh powerbank fits in a pocket, the 20,000 mAh solar powerbank is made for long outings.
Good habits
- Replace any bare, twisted, or hot cable.
- Do not leave the phone charging under a pillow or in direct sunlight.
- Unplug the charger from the outlet when you are not using it.
In summary
Identify your phone's port, take the corresponding cable, then a 20W (iPhone) or 25W (Samsung) USB-C charger for fast charging. All our cables and chargers are in stock in Switzerland and shipped by La Poste, with free delivery from 20 CHF of purchase.