Well today I received a USB power monitor so I could test the charging currents of my devices and see if what people and companies were claiming are true. I have tested an Iphone 5 & 6S with the apple charger (1 amp) ipad charger (2.4 amp) and a desktop power supply (2.4 amps per USB) and have yet to test my Anker 12v charger in the car but I think i know the outcome already.

 

Some people claim that using an ipad charger to charge up a phone does a quicker job, and some manufacturers claim faster charging from certain chargers, including apple products.

 

Well they are all a load of rubbish, both phones charge at around 1 amp regardless of the capacity of the charger as the phone's charging circuit is limiting the current. So unless you have a smart device ( i think some android phones are) that ramps up the current until the voltage drops you get absolutely no gains from using a higher output charger.

I'm pretty sure like some android devices, Apple devices also pull the maximum possible from the chargers.

Not all phones cam do this on all chargers. In the case of Android, both have to be standard compliant including the lead. Some others only fast charge when using the manufacturers own charger and lead.

Isn't it only lighting cables which can pull over 1a?

I'm pretty sure like some android devices, Apple devices also pull the maximum possible from the chargers.

Not all phones cam do this on all chargers. In the case of Android, both have to be standard compliant including the lead. Some others only fast charge when using the manufacturers own charger and lead.

Isn't it only lighting cables which can pull over 1a?

 

Some USB cables are pulling down 2.1A though not through standard USB slots which are usually limited to half an amp.   Also good be check which one you are getting else it can fail to charge the device at all as many 5,6,7 inch and above devices use a lot more than half an amp. 

Sorry, my Android chargers a LOT faster with the dedicated charger and lead than it does from my powered hub with the same lead.

Qualcomm quick charge allows a slight drop in current for a much larger increase in voltage. So 2.1amp @5v vs 1.6amp @12v.

This means 10.5w vs 19.2W, so substantially faster charging.

Some will do even higher voltage/current up to a certain percentage of charge.

The iPhone will be able to pull down a maximum of 1 Amp, but this is only providing that the PSU is aware of the fact that in this case an iOS device has been plugged in. This is controlled by the voltage levels seen on the data lines. If you were to plug the phone into a normal charger the charge maybe 500mA or much less. Samsung for example use a different voltage on the data lines so plugging an iPhone into Samsung charger the phone may again only take 500mA or less. It will be the same for an iPad plugged into an iPad charger, but in this case the current will be much higher as the iPad can draw down a higher current due mainly to the larger capacity of the battery.

 

I would think that the Anker 12v charger is smart so it will toggle the data line voltage until it sees the highest possible current.

 

Other things to note is that cables are a big factor on the highest possible current, some can knock a 200mA or more off the highest possible. Also some USB testers can change the voltage on the data pins or not pass it though at all.

The iPhone will be able to pull down a maximum of 1 Amp, but this is only providing that the PSU is aware of the fact that in this case an iOS device has been plugged in. This is controlled by the voltage levels seen on the data lines. If you were to plug the phone into a normal charger the charge maybe 500mA or much less. Samsung for example use a different voltage on the data lines so plugging an iPhone into Samsung charger the phone may again only take 500mA or less. It will be the same for an iPad plugged into an iPad charger, but in this case the current will be much higher as the iPad can draw down a higher current due mainly to the larger capacity of the battery.

 

I would think that the Anker 12v charger is smart so it will toggle the data line voltage until it sees the highest possible current.

 

Other things to note is that cables are a big factor on the highest possible current, some can knock a 200mA or more off the highest possible. Also some USB testers can change the voltage on the data pins or not pass it though at all.

 

So what you are saying is, Apple are screwing their customers, and trying to stop fast charging from anything not licensed by Apple

So what you are saying is, Apple are screwing their customers, and trying to stop fast charging from anything not licensed by Apple

 

Quelle surprise !

 

Dell do something similar with their chargers only maybe worse.  My super powerful OE charger for my monster laptop, unless 130Ws, throttles the CPUs and does all sorts of things to the performance.  Sort of understand to protect the machine and optimise power but it take all sorts of configuration and flexiblity for the Users.

 

A good pattern part from Amazon seems to do the trick, fifth of the price of Apple OE equipment, just as good, or bad. Lighting connector is just a stupid design virtually meant to be fragile, so much more a poor design than USB for charging and part of the mugs game of using Apple phones.

 

I am not anti-Apple and those I know who use Apple Macs for film editing etc.  Fortunately my company offered a choice of Apple Phones or Samsung Android and I am chuffed with the flexibility of using £1 US leads in car or straight in to PCs, job done whether charging at 0.5A or 2.1As.  

Quelle surprise !

 

Dell do something similar with their chargers only maybe worse.  My super powerful OE charger for my monster laptop, unless 130Ws, throttles the CPUs and does all sorts of things to the performance.  Sort of understand to protect the machine and optimise power but it take all sorts of configuration and flexiblity for the Users.

 

A good pattern part from Amazon seems to do the trick, fifth of the price of Apple OE equipment, just as good, or bad. Lighting connector is just a stupid design virtually meant to be fragile, so much more a poor design than USB for charging and part of the mugs game of using Apple phones.

 

I am not anti-Apple and those I know who use Apple Macs for film editing etc.  Fortunately my company offered a choice of Apple Phones or Samsung Android and I am chuffed with the flexibility of using £1 US leads in car or straight in to PCs, job done whether charging at 0.5A or 2.1As.  

 

You may not hate Apple, but I do, I managed to wean SWMBO off of an iPhone just in time to learn mummy had been talked into getting an "Air"; you understand even BLUETOOTH doesnt work with non Apple gear!! I have also had to remove a WiFi repeater and downgrade the security on the router, because the latest IOS update stopped it working with both (the old IOS worked perfectly with both for months).

 

The Air was also managing to "jam" the wifi on the repeater, so nothing else would work either; mind you, it was a cheap no name from Maplin.

 

Does IOS stand for "I'm Obviously Stupid" ??

You may not hate Apple, but I do, I managed to wean SWMBO off of an iPhone just in time to learn mummy had been talked into getting an "Air"; you understand even BLUETOOTH doesnt work with non Apple gear!! I have also had to remove a WiFi repeater and downgrade the security on the router, because the latest IOS update stopped it working with both (the old IOS worked perfectly with both for months).

 

The Air was also managing to "jam" the wifi on the repeater, so nothing else would work either; mind you, it was a cheap no name from Maplin.

 

Does IOS stand for "I'm Obviously Stupid" ??

 

Nice.

 

I have not had those sort of problems with Macs and IOS 10 and BT hubs but I have heard lots of tales.  £2K for a laptop is hard to slowing but film industry use them so had to grim and bear it.   

The only problems I've had with many apple devices (most not mine) is channel 13 support (or the lack of it).

 

BT works fine, wifi works fine, nothing jams, although the airport is a pain.

If it is jamming, then frankly you can report it to the authorities.

 

Work iphone charges at 1A from a cheap Ikea 3 way plug plus dual USB, so I think it's overstated.

Edited 18 July, 20169 yr by cheezemonkhai

So what you are saying is, Apple are screwing their customers, and trying to stop fast charging from anything not licensed by Apple

 

No not at all! It’s a fudge though to effectively stop the host device from blowing it’s backside off if it is incapable of delivering more than 250mA.

It stems from the fact USB 1 & 2 were never designed to be charging devices, the 5V was originally envisaged to power keyboards, mice and the like with a limit of 250mA per device. 500mA can be supplied to more active devices could draw 500mA but with negotiation with the host originally expected to be a computer of some description. However this doesn’t help when plugged into a dumb PSU.

 

To get around this manufactures came up with a non-standard fudge where the voltages on the data lines would be changed originally with nothing more than resistor network, the phone or whatever would see this voltage and assume that it can draw the maximum current in the case of most modern phones around 1A hence the fast charge part. This not being in the USB standard means the different manufactures have come up with different implementations.

 

You will see on some older 3^rd party PSU’s one port for Apple and one for Samsung, this was due to the fact they have just used resistors. There are now chips available to control the voltage on the data pins until the maximum current is being drawn so single port can be used for all devices.

USB 3 has high current applications built into the standard.

No not at all! It’s a fudge though to effectively stop the host device from blowing it’s backside off if it is incapable of delivering more than 250mA.

It stems from the fact USB 1 & 2 were never designed to be charging devices, the 5V was originally envisaged to power keyboards, mice and the like with a limit of 250mA per device. 500mA can be supplied to more active devices could draw 500mA but with negotiation with the host originally expected to be a computer of some description. However this doesn’t help when plugged into a dumb PSU.

 

To get around this manufactures came up with a non-standard fudge where the voltages on the data lines would be changed originally with nothing more than resistor network, the phone or whatever would see this voltage and assume that it can draw the maximum current in the case of most modern phones around 1A hence the fast charge part. This not being in the USB standard means the different manufactures have come up with different implementations.

 

You will see on some older 3^rd party PSU’s one port for Apple and one for Samsung, this was due to the fact they have just used resistors. There are now chips available to control the voltage on the data pins until the maximum current is being drawn so single port can be used for all devices.

USB 3 has high current applications built into the standard.

 

USB3, that is the blue coloured USB sometimes labelled super speed or the like. 

No not at all! It’s a fudge though to effectively stop the host device from blowing it’s backside off if it is incapable of delivering more than 250mA.

It stems from the fact USB 1 & 2 were never designed to be charging devices, the 5V was originally envisaged to power keyboards, mice and the like with a limit of 250mA per device. 500mA can be supplied to more active devices could draw 500mA but with negotiation with the host originally expected to be a computer of some description. However this doesn’t help when plugged into a dumb PSU.

 

To get around this manufactures came up with a non-standard fudge where the voltages on the data lines would be changed originally with nothing more than resistor network, the phone or whatever would see this voltage and assume that it can draw the maximum current in the case of most modern phones around 1A hence the fast charge part. This not being in the USB standard means the different manufactures have come up with different implementations.

 

You will see on some older 3^rd party PSU’s one port for Apple and one for Samsung, this was due to the fact they have just used resistors. There are now chips available to control the voltage on the data pins until the maximum current is being drawn so single port can be used for all devices.

USB 3 has high current applications built into the standard.

 

Why would Apple be worried if your cheap psu blew up?? Sorry, even if it blew the phone up, Apple would say "you should have used an iCharger", so it doesnt add up. The truth is, Apple go out of their way to stop IOS carp working with anything not made by, or licensed by - Apple

USB3, that is the blue coloured USB sometimes labelled super speed or the like. 

That's the one, it looks like the normal USB connector but there are more connections, the real game changer is USB 3.1.

 

Why would Apple be worried if your cheap psu blew up?? Sorry, even if it blew the phone up, Apple would say "you should have used an iCharger", so it doesnt add up. The truth is, Apple go out of their way to stop IOS carp working with anything not made by, or licensed by - Apple

I think you have missed my point, it's not just Apple that do this trick but there is no standard. If a device has a licensed USB port then it would be expected to work as expected or not work as expected but in a benign way, being responsible for house fires isn’t good for business whoever you are.   

Why would Apple be worried if your cheap psu blew up?? Sorry, even if it blew the phone up, Apple would say "you should have used an iCharger", so it doesnt add up. The truth is, Apple go out of their way to stop IOS carp working with anything not made by, or licensed by - Apple

Given the number of fake cables & chargers which have toasted mobiles, I can kind of see Apple's stance.

Fake type C USB cables/chargers can blow up your device because of the heat generated during fast charging.

Even Google are looking at ways to block fake cables & chargers from fast charging.

That's the one, it looks like the normal USB connector but there are more connections, the real game changer is USB 3.1.

 

I think you have missed my point, it's not just Apple that do this trick but there is no standard. If a device has a licensed USB port then it would be expected to work as expected or not work as expected but in a benign way, being responsible for house fires isn’t good for business whoever you are.   

 

No, you are missing MY point. Apples whole marketing stance is to force you to buy Apple branded or licensed products, anything else is just an excuse. Just look at what is expected to happen with the next iPhone - no headphone socket, so either ANOTHER proprietary lead, or BlueTooth.

 

And please remember, Apples idea of BT DOESNT WORK with non Apple products, so you will be tied into buying expensive new cans either way.

Please do explain how apple BT doesn't work.

 

It works fine with every car headset/car kit.

It works fine with the VOIP phone

It works fine with remote 3rd party keyboards.

Please do explain how apple BT doesn't work.

It works fine with every car headset/car kit.

It works fine with the VOIP phone

It works fine with remote 3rd party keyboards.

Doesn't support A2DP or Bluetooth file transfer though.

Doesn't support A2DP or Bluetooth file transfer though.

 

Exactly, it is crippleware; it SAYS it is connected and everything is fine, but it wont actually DO anything. And as I mentioned, in the last few weeks it has freaked out at the latest firmware on a TPLINK router, and jammed the signal from a Maplin repeater; it regularly refuses to talk with Winboxes, I have various flavours of WinXP and Win7 (without iTunes, maybe it will work if I install that crud (which I wont - because its crapped out every time I tried).

 

Dont get me wrong, IOS works very well for most people, most of the time; (as long as you stick to other IOS stuff), but when you want to do something different, or something doesnt work the way it should, the software is revealed as a huge cludge that requires either a degree in astrophysics , or a wipe to factory and start from scratch.

 

It has taken my mother 4 months to get the photos she took on holiday off of her Air and on to her Winbox, and two friends cant view ANY product photos on Amazon due to a known IOS issue that seems to require a factory reset to fix (iPad 2&3 running latest IOS).

Doesn't support A2DP or Bluetooth file transfer though.

 

I've done file transfer over it on an se and it worked.

Usually I'd use airdrop if going apple to apple, but this was going to my android phone, so that wasn't an option

No, you are missing MY point. Apples whole marketing stance is to force you to buy Apple branded or licensed products, anything else is just an excuse. Just look at what is expected to happen with the next iPhone - no headphone socket, so either ANOTHER proprietary lead, or BlueTooth.

And please remember, Apples idea of BT DOESNT WORK with non Apple products, so you will be tied into buying expensive new cans either way.

Just bought a pair of Sennheisser Momentum2 Bluetooth headphones for my 6S & they work flawlessly.

I also bought the Photofast adapter Plugs in at the charger & lets you transfer your photos directly to a micro SD card.

Just bought a pair of Sennheisser Momentum2 Bluetooth headphones for my 6S & they work flawlessly.

I also bought the Photofast adapter Plugs in at the charger & lets you transfer your photos directly to a micro SD card.

 

OK, I will correct myself, Apple bluetooth doesnt work with non Apple approved devices in two way communication, it will send but not receive; so you can SEND music, but you cannot receive music/data to a non Apple approved device. Still means it is crippleware.

 

I have a £300 ICE unit that is Apple Approved and works flawlessly with i4, i5 and i6 phones, yet is flaky with many non Apple BT devices; I also have a £30 ICE unit that wont work with iDevices, yet works flawlessly with every other BT device I have tried it with (and in general, works far better than the £300 unit - if only the sound quality was better)

 

OK, so you bought an adapter, I wont ask how much, but you have still paid extra for something the other OS's/hardware do for free. So it still means you have crippleware.

 

BTW, it would be interesting if you would come back when the new iP7 is out, and tell me if the headphones you just bought still work with it (without having to buy another adapter).

OK, I will correct myself, Apple bluetooth doesnt work with non Apple approved devices in two way communication, it will send but not receive; so you can SEND music, but you cannot receive music/data to a non Apple approved device. Still means it is crippleware.

I have a £300 ICE unit that is Apple Approved and works flawlessly with i4, i5 and i6 phones, yet is flaky with many non Apple BT devices; I also have a £30 ICE unit that wont work with iDevices, yet works flawlessly with every other BT device I have tried it with (and in general, works far better than the £300 unit - if only the sound quality was better)

OK, so you bought an adapter, I wont ask how much, but you have still paid extra for something the other OS's/hardware do for free. So it still means you have crippleware.

BTW, it would be interesting if you would come back when the new iP7 is out, and tell me if the headphones you just bought still work with it (without having to buy another adapter).

You seem to have many problems using Apple to non Appe devices. Problems I have never encountered.

The adapter was cheap (& small), about £20 including a 64Gb mini SD card. Works really well.

I bought BT headphones because there are suggestions that the headphone jack will disappear with the iPhone7. BT is very unlikely to be removed. It's too popular.

However, it's impossible to predict any forward evolution, and connectivity of technology. So all we can do is second guess & hope it has a decent shelf life

Various  members of the extended family have owned i4, i4S and iPad Air; none of them could connect to non iDevices to share files/photos.

 

A friend as iPad 2 and iPad3, both have issues using Amazon due to a known Safari bug that hasnt been fixed in several updates.

 

Apple are renowned for taking standards, and screwing around with them on their devices, so they dont work properly with other peoples devices, in much the same way M$ screwed around with web standards back in the days of IE4-7; to try and stop people using 3rd party browsers/web dev kits.

 

The adapter you are talking about sounds something similar to the Android USB OTG standard, I have two adapters for that, they cost me 99p each (inc P&P), and I can plug any USB device I like into them. A few weeks ago (at the Upton Blues Festival), I used one to let my daughter play films on her tablet - as she has managed to break the microSD slot; pushed the adapter onto a 128Gb Ukey loaded with Disney films and away she went.