Select a cable for charging the phone. Magnetic cable - convenient charging of any smartphone

Almost every smartphone is equipped with a charger and a USB cable for charging. This is the minimum basic set that the manufacturer supplies along with the device. And the complete USB cable is usually fully consistent with the parameters of the charger - that is, it is simpler, it is able to charge the smartphone that is the power of the current and at the speed that the manufacturer calculated. But over time, in the process of use, the need arises to charge the smartphone not only at home, but also at work, in the car, and just in the cafe. And then the question arises - how to choose a high-quality USB cable for charging a smartphone? We will not go into physical laws, labeling cables and other technical wisdom. We will try to set out the highest languages \u200b\u200bas simple as possible.

What does the phone charging speed depend on?

The charging speed of the smartphone directly depends on the 4 parameters:

battery capacity;
power of the charger;
bandwidth of the charging USB cable;
the restriction set by the battery controller in the phone.

The logic of charging the phone to a certain extent similar to the logic of feeding into the water to the crane. For example, you have a pump capable of pumping 20 liters per minute. And for you, such a pressure is sufficient and comfortable. But the pipe is connected to the pump capable of missing no more than 10 liters per minute. Accordingly, whatever power output pump, from the crane more than 10 l / min. You can not do it just physically.

Similarly, the situation with the cable and charging of the smartphone looks. Take the charger on 2A and the USB cable whose bandwidth does not exceed 1a. Accordingly, the cable bandwidth will be lower than the power of the charger and the smartphone will be charged slowly - regardless of the power issued by the charger.

There is another restriction that is present in any smartphone is the battery charge controller. This is a special limiter installed by the manufacturer, which limits the power and voltage that will flow on the battery. This is done so that the battery worked longer, did not overheat and did not fail.

Once again we take our example: Charger on 2A and Cable on 2A, but the phone controller allows you to charge no higher than 1,5A. Thus, despite the charger and the cable, we get the power not higher than 1,5A, limited by charge controller. However, if our cable does not miss more than 1A, the charging still goes only on 1a.

So how to choose a high-quality USB cable for your phone?

The easiest and most optimal way is to look at the charger, which was equipped with a phone issued to them. It will be calculated by the manufacturer itself, based on the planned charging speed and limit controller. It is usually specified directly on the charger housing, on the "Output" line.

This is an original charger for. In the "Output" string we see the following: "5V - 2000 Mah". This means that such charging is capable of issuing 2a (2000 Mah) at the current of the current 5V (USB Standard) .

Accordingly, we need to pick up a USB cable to it, which will be able to skip through itself at least this value. For example, able to skip up to 3a. Accordingly, they can be safely used with this charging.

Does the cable length affect its bandwidth?

In low-quality cables - yes, affects and very much. For example, a cheap cable for 1 meter is still capable of issuing 1A, but the same cable for 3 meters will be given 0.3-0.5A. Usually manufacturers of such cables simply take the veins of one section and cut the cable to any length.

Accordingly, it turns out that if the voltage loss on short USB cables is even more compensated for by the charger, then with an increase in length, the voltage will simply fall below the normative and in some cases the smartphone will simply refuse to charge - the same battery controller will work.

Quality USB cables are developed taking into account the AWG standard (American Wire Guide, i.e. American Explorer Measuring Standard).It determines which cross sections should be cable veins, depending on its length.

Is it possible to choose?

There is a huge amount of inexpensive market (and sometimes frankly cheap) USB cables of different manufacturers. However, it is necessary to understand that the cheap is not qualitative - this is the standard market law.

In addition, despite the fact that the cable is a fairly simple device, its throughput directly depends on the materials used in its production and thickness. You can easily get a beautiful cable for very modest money, but to charge your smartphone it will be no more than 0.5-0.7A.

As a result, you can use this cable only when charging from the computer's USB port or laptop - their output power is always limited to 0.5A. For high-quality powerful chargers, this cable will be useless.

Many lovers play or watch movies and TV shows on a smartphone or tablet familiarize the situation when a device parallel to a good charger, not only did not charge, but even continued to lose charge - Games and video strongly load "iron", which naturally requires more energy. And if you simultaneously put a smartphone for charging and play / watch a video - when using a poor-quality USB cable, it does not have enough bandwidth even to compensate for the current battery discharge - not to mention what to charge it.

Included with any smartphone there is a corporate cable for charging and synchronization, but in the modern life of its one it turns out. We constantly wear a smartphone with you and actively use, so you may need to charge the device at any time. The reality is such that the cable ideally should be three: at home, at work and in a backpack. In addition, like any accessory, cables are often lost or can come into disrepair.

In general, the spare cable is relevant always. How to choose a suitable option that last long?

From this you always need to start, because if the cable does not fit to the connector, or charge, nor convey the data you can not. And if you cherish too much, you can damage the smartphone connector - the cable should always be inserted without additional effort and remain in the desired position.

If you have a smartphone running Android or Windows, it almost certainly charged through the standard Micro USB port, which means you need one of these cables. At the second end, they have a USB port for connecting to a computer or charger.

New Android and Windows-smartphones are sometimes equipped with a universal USB-C connector, there are also cables in know-how already there are cables, for example, belkin USB-C to Micro-USB.

If you have an iPhone, then you need a cable with the Lightning connector - for example, Newgrade FlatWire. By the way, these cables are universal: suitable for lightning, and for microUSB.

Cord shape and material

The shape and cord material determine how long it will last and how convenient will be used by the accessory.

The easiest option is a round cable in a flexible polymer (rubber or plastic) isolation, for example, Belkin Micro-USB CHARGE / SYNC CABLE. His dignity is a relatively low price and compactness (easy to roll and remove into your pocket). But it will serve such a cable less than others, and it is confused more often.

Flat cable (NewGrade Fashion, etc.) is confused much less, so it is not so often reheated due to the formation of nodes. In addition, it is gently collapsed, it takes a little place.

Spring cable, for example, Belkin MicroUSB Cable Charge Sync is another convenient option. If you charge your smartphone at different distances from the outlets, we carry with me a PowerBank and regularly synchronize the device with a computer, appreciate its advantages. You do not need to twist at all - disconnected and put in your pocket! But it stands carefully to handle it - if the cable is still confused, you will have to spend a few minutes to return the wire initial look.

The cable in the tissue braid is the most reliable option. So, or his analogs will serve for years. The only drawback is not so compact as other options.

The cable in length is worth taking with a slight margin. On the one hand, well, if he does not strongly succeed and it is impossible to cling to it (and therefore, the risk of damaging the cable itself and the connected smartphone below). On the other hand, if the "dirt" cable, the plug at any time can get out of the connector, it is harder to find a suitable outlet, sometimes the smartphone is tritely difficult to put on the table, you have to leave on the floor or in another that is not intended for it.

Short cables, such as USB NewGrade Business, have a length of 1 m. To charge the house on the bedside table or on the desktop, it is usually no longer necessary.

The average length is 1.2-1.5 m. This is a Certified Apple Belkin Flat Lightning to USB cable, Energea Nylotough Micro-USB Quick CHARGING CABLE and other models.

There are cables in know-how and authentic - for example, two-meter belkin USB-C to Micro-USB CHARGE CABLE. Another option is a Belkin Microusb Cable Cable Ceble Sync cable, length - 1.8 m, no need to twist, because it does not save!

Connector material

Even this property is important when choosing a cable for a smartphone. Traditional plastic today is a metal competition: it better protects the most vulnerable area - plug.

The cables with a plastic plug are inexpensive, the choice is wider: from the simplest Belkin Flat Lightning to USB to Energea Nylotough Lightning USB Cable in a nylon braid.

ENERGEA ALUBLAZE LIGHTNING TO USB CABLE and its analogues - cables with aluminum plug. They are distinguished by greater reliability and have a futuristic modern design, the connectors are not overwhelmed with time.

Is Micro-USB cables are the same? Why can prices differ several times? Which cable is better to buy? I will try to answer these questions with practical examples and experiments.

This article is devoted to ordinary consumers who are familiar with physics as part of the school program. But test results can be interesting and advanced users.

If you have a device from Apple, and you think that it does not concern you, and not for you, then you are very mistaken. At the end you will read why.

Micro-USB data transfer rate Cable in most cases does not cause complaints. But with charging devices, the situation is a bit more complicated.

Let's first read the fingers as the process of charging mobile devices is arranged.

There is a charger that can produce current with a certain voltage and a certain force. It is usually a USB charging that gives a voltage current with a voltage of 5 V (there are still rapid charging technologies with an increased voltage, but we will not affect them). Current (sometimes indicate simply charging power) can be different for each memory. For example, with one device in the kit there will be a memory with a maximum strength of 1 A, and with another 2.5 A. Naturally, if the device cannot consume a current by force more than 1 A, then whatever you have connected - 1 A or 100 A , there will be no difference.

There is a mobile device: smartphone, tablet, clock, etc., which need to be charged. Mobile device has a battery and charge controller. The charge controller regulates using its algorithms, strength consumed.

The memory and mobile device are connected to a cable. In our case, Micro-USB. There is a huge number of proposals on the market. Thousands of models from famous and unknown brands. Cables can be bought in a stall near the house, in the cabin, in a large shopping center, on the Internet, just everywhere. The cable arises a strange situation. With one cable, the device is charged faster than with another, under equal conditions. In some cases, the differences may be several times. Basically, it is in the resistance of the power lines of the cable.

To be clearer, immediately proceed to the practical test.

Our tools will be:

Resistor with 2.5 ohm resistance (5 V, 2 A)

USB Keweisi Tester
Micro-USB Adapter (Mom) - USB A (Mom)
Xiaomi 5000 mA battery pack and SAMSUNG GALAXY S5 smartphone, which borrowed from his wife
TRONSMART TS-UC5PC charger. I want to mark this device separately. On profile sites there are disassembly of this device. It's just a stunning memory. I bought it a couple of months ago by the promotion with a discount, replaced my excellent ICO ICO (they also have great memory), because I needed a port with QUICK CHARGE 2.0. TS-UC5PC has 5 independent channels. 4 of which with VoltiQ technology (in fact it is simply a "smart strapping" of DATA contacts to activate rapid charging of any devices with such support, including Apple, SAMSUNG series, etc.), and 1 with Qualcomm Quick CHARGE 2.0. This port is capable of issuing a voltage of 5 V, 9 V and 12 V. memory easily withstands the load 2 and at the same time on all 5 ports, this I checked by the resistors, with a very minor stress drawdown. By specification, the device withstands 2.4 A on each channel.

We will test in two stages. First stage - check the power drop at the end of the cable using the resistor. The second stage - check the current strength that will consume the Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphone and the Xiaomi battery pack during charging.

Our artists:

Cable LG, 120 cm - we denote it LG1. It comes complete with many of the same devices and is sold separately. It has label on a 20 AWG cable for power lines. Fat and very tight. It costs from $ 2 to $ 3 on eBay and Aliexpress, we have been on Offline and for 300, and for 500 rubles.

Cable TRONSmart., 180 cm - we denote it TR1. It comes complete with some of the same name, also, sold separately in packages for several pieces. Fat and very tight. It costs about $ 2 (in recalculating one cable) on Aliexpress and similar sites.

Cable Sony EC803., 100 cm - we denote it so1. It comes complete with some of the same names and is sold separately. The average thickness, tight. Costs about $ 2.

Cable Sony EC801., 100 cm - we denote it to SO2. It comes complete with some of the same names and is sold separately. The average thickness, tight. Costs about $ 2.

Cable Sony EC450., 100 cm - we denote it to SO3. Sucked once complete with some of the same names. Fat and tight, with ferrite rings. It is rare on sale.

Cable from the battery pack Xiaomi., 22 cm - we denote it xi1. It comes complete with batteries. Flat, flexible. The appearance is not very impressive, because He is already a year and a half.

Noname cable - We will call it QC1, 200 cm. It is such a cable for sale only from one Yourcharger seller on eBay (it is yourcable). Perhaps they are produced. Data contacts are already closed, the cable is intended only for charging. The average thickness is flexible. This is a universal cable to activate quick charging (if it is supported by the device) on any memory. The same seller has similar cable for 3 and 5 meters, both micro-USB and Lightning (for Apple devices). Prices are above average.

Noname cable - We will call it QC2, 65-180 cm, "Spring". The seller and the manufacturer is the same as the previous cable. Data contacts are already closed, the cable is intended only for charging. The average thickness is flexible.

Cable ASUS - We will call it AS1, 100 cm. It comes complete with some ASUS devices (in a particular case of Nexus 7, 2013), sold separately. The average thickness is flexible.

Noname cable - We will call it QC3, 40 cm. Sale in the store Fasttech. There is a marking of 18 AWG on the cable. The average thickness. Data contacts are already closed, the cable is intended only for charging. It is impossible to cheaply - about $ 1.

And now purebred pribrudes (or cables from Uncle Liao cables). They are just hundreds of different species. They are sold everywhere, and online, and offline. And even in stores of authoritative retailers, they can be found. Often stand very cheap. For the test, take 8 different pieces. I have a box at home, where there are pieces of 50 different micro-USB cables that I ordered at different times (closing ahead, this box with "trash can" by tests by cables). Very often sold under the brand (of course, counterfeit) samsung, etc.

Noname cable - We will call it CN1, 23 cm. Triple - MicroUSB, Lightning, Apple 30-Pin. Fabric strip. The thickness is medium, flexible.

Noname cable - We will call it CN2, 300 cm. Fabric strip. The thickness is medium, flexible.

Noname cable - We will call it CN3, 100 cm. Thin, flexible.

Noname cable - We will call it CN4, 100 cm. Flat, flexible.

Noname cable - We will call it CN5, 80 cm. Elastic.

Noname cable - We will call it CN6, 200 cm. Fabric strip. Flat, flexible.

Noname cable - We will call it CN7, 100 cm. Thick, flexible.

Noname cable - We will call it CN8, 100 cm. Marking on Cable 26 AWG / 28 AWG.

Falling power

Connect the resistor and measure the power immediately at the output from the memory - 10.2 W. Voltage 5.17 V, current of 1.97 A.

Now I will measure the power at the end of the cables and will reduce all the results in the chart.

LG1 8.82 W (4.82 V, 1.83 A)

TR1 8,34 W (4.69 V, 1.78 A)

QC1 8,33 W (4.71 V, 1.77 a)

SO1 7.97 W (4.58 V, 1.74 A)

SO2 8,19 W (4.63 V, 1.77 a)

SO3 7.42 W (4.62 V, 1.68 A)

QC3 8,87 W (4.85 V, 1.83 A)

QC2 8.22 W (4.68 V, 1.78 A)

AS1 8,19 W (4.63 V, 1.77 A)

XI1 8.27 W (4.75 V, 1.74 A)

CN1 8.9 W (4.84 V, 1.84 A)

CN2 4.56 W (3.48 V, 1.31 A)

CN3 5.42 W (3.79 V, 1.43 A)

CN4 5,34 W (3.76 V, 1.42 A)

CN5 5.73 W (3.90 V, 1.47 A)

CN6 5,84 W (3.92 V, 1.49 A)

CN7 5,18 W (3.7 V, 1.4 A)

CN8 7.83 W (4.55 V, 1.72 A)

So, we see a bad result from the overwhelming majority of cheap and unnamed cables. Only CN1 cable surprised. I never used them after buying, just ordered to heap.

Now I will measure, with what power of the current will be charged the Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphone (50% charge level). Of course, this is not a laboratory study, but some information will give. The charge controller in devices works in its algorithm. The tester in all cases showed the output voltage of about 5.2 V, so it will only consider the current strength.

The result relates to the previous test. Branded cables show a worthy result. Cheap and unnamed cables show an incredibly low result. For example, the current with a LG cable of 4.5 (!) Times is greater than with the worst Unnamed cable. Sony's branded cables demonstrate mediocre results.

To refine the result, take another device - the Xiaomi battery pack (almost discharged). Let's see what results cables will be shown with it.

The picture is repeated.

Quality cables can be considered: LG, Xiaomi, QC1, QC2, QC3, TRONSMART, CN1. Sony and Asus cables show the average result, for branded cables it is not very good. The remaining nameless cables are 90% (roughly speaking) what you are trying to sell for cheap, full trash.

Apple Lightning.

In my review, I did not include the test of cables with the Apple Lightning connector, because I did not have the desired adapter to connect the resistor. But in real tests with devices, cables behave identically described. I have two original cables are inwhawing, as it usually happens with Apple cables, at the base. There are no problems with them. But 3 purchased cables in the range from $ 2 to $ 5 show an essential current drawdown. One so generally gives only 0.26 A. This does not mean that you need to run and buy a cable from Apple for $ 20. For $ 20 and ripped at the base of cables, Apple deserves only a savory spit in the face. You just need to choose the right and proven cable (I think that the recommendations are already enough at the specialized forums). And I use in emergency cases here such a transitive in a few centches:

No problem. In combination with LG cable charges iPad and iPhone no worse than original cables.

conclusions

Never buy cables not from authoritative brands (LG, SAMSUNG, HTC, Lenovo, etc.), if you clearly do not know what you want. The cable must be thick and tight (of course there are exceptions - in the review you have familiarized yourself with the QC1, QC2 and Xiaomi cable). If you have a suspicion that this is a fake, for example, a very low price in Offline - just do not buy such a cable.

All other cables can be bought only if you clearly know that this is a high-quality cable (someone has tested it). Never listen to advice advice: "But take our corporate branded cable EurosovenomyCabel, it is all taken and satisfied." While the consultant will not show you the measurements of this cable with a tester, his words are not worth anything. Never behave to the customer rating when buying cables, for example, to Aliexpress. If you see the Samsung cable with a $ 1st cable, several thousand orders and rating of buyers 98%, then with a large probability, this cable is ordinary fake trash.

If specifying, one of the most optimal cables is a LG cable. It can be bought in two coloring offline practically in any communication salon or online (on Ebay and Aliexpress it costs from $ 2 to $ 3). If you need a long cable (2, 3, 5 meters), then look at the cables from the Yourcharger store on eBay (it is yourCable) - the price is a bit higher than usual, but you know what you pay for. If you need several cables of different lengths, then buy cable sets from TRONSMART (they are full in online stores). If you need a short cable for the battery pack, then, for example, take a cheap cable from Fasttech.

P.S.. I forgot to write a little remark about cables with closed DATA contacts from the view (three pieces). These cables can still be interesting to those who charge devices from a laptop. With these cables, many devices think that they are connected to the memory, not a computer, and begin to consume a current at the maximum of their consumption. USB laptop ports will give everything you know. For example, my Asus laptop with such cables easily gives 1.5 A, even in the specifications it does not mean. In this case, the old Lenovo is limited to 0.5 and in any case.

P.S.. II. And you know what is the most popular Micro USB cable on Aliexpress? Here it is for $ 0.68. 96% of positive feedback from 21004! Any colors. Familiar? Yes, you are not mistaken, it is CN4 cable from the review.

Surely each of the visitors of our site regularly faces the situation when the charger cable is not inserted into the smartphone or tablet from the first time. Yes, what to say there, sometimes you have to turn the plug of a couple of times! Solves such a problem performed in a symmetric form. But while they are equipped with only top devices. What if you do not intend to change your phone shortly? There is a way out: This is a magnetic cable!

Operating principle

This accessory is externally similar to a regular wire connected to a computer or charger. But in fact it consists of two parts. The Micro-USB plug is disconnected from the cord itself. According to the creators of such cables, it will be inserted into the smartphone on an ongoing basis. It should not interfere with this in any way, because, beyond the device, the plug protrudes only 1-2 mm. The rear side of the connector is equipped with a magnet that has a cable end. As a result, the connection of the wire to the gadget occurs instantly. The cord seems to be attracted to the smartphone!

Most of these accessories are equipped with magnets with a strong effect. For example, when using ELOGH E04, you can safely pull the device for the connected wire - it will definitely not disgusted. Moreover, this cable with a metallic lamp is easily able to withstand the weight of the Furniture! However, in general, it all depends on the mass of the device. Of course, the 12-inch tablet magnetic connector may not withstand.

Cable varieties

When choosing a magnetic cord, pay attention to the connection to which device they are supported. For iPhone, a cable with a Lightning-connector is required. Yes, and in the case of Android devices, not everything is definitely. For example, Samsung smartphones typically use a slightly shortened Micro-USB plug. In this case, you must be selected magnetic charging for the phone, among the supported devices, which has products of the South Korean manufacturer. This is necessarily indicated in the specifications of each cord.

The magnetic USB cable can be supplied with several plugs having different lengths. In this case, the cord can be called universal - it will suit all smartphones. And it will make it possible to connect the charger to different gadgets.

Please note, you can buy another variety of magnetic cable. It will not have a removable connector. The magnetized with a similar cord will be two ends - both connector. This will allow you to apply them to each other, simplifying transportation - for example, in a backpack, the cable is now definitely not confused. This design has a baseus cord.

Each buyer is experiencing a delight from the magnetic cable. The use of such a cord is a good way to stop envying the owners of the newest gadgets with USB Type-C. Now and you have a charger connection to the smartphone will occupy a fraction of a second!