Choosing a phone charger: which one do you need?
USB-C, Lightning or MagSafe? Watts or amps? Choosing a phone charger is surprisingly tricky. This article helps you make the right choice quickly.
Door The Phone Shopper
Gepubliceerd: 2026-06-15
You reach for your charger — only to find the connector doesn't quite fit, or your phone has only hit 80% after a full night on charge. Choosing the right phone charger sounds straightforward, but there are plenty of pitfalls that can harm your battery life, charging speed, and even your device. In this article, we explain exactly what to look for, which adapter suits which brand, and how to avoid wasting money on a charger that simply doesn't cut it.
Quick summary: The right charger depends on your phone brand, connector type (USB-C, Lightning or MagSafe), the wattage for fast charging, and whether you buy original or a certified alternative. Read on for the full overview.
Which connector does your phone use?
Before checking anything else, look at the port on the bottom of your phone. There are currently three common connector types:
- USB-C: The new standard. All recent Android phones (Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus) and iPhones from the iPhone 15 onwards use USB-C.
- Lightning: Apple's own connector, used on iPhones up to and including the iPhone 14 and on some iPads. Recognisable by its small, oval-shaped plug.
- Micro-USB: Older and increasingly rare, but still found on older Samsung and Android devices from before 2019.
We see it in our Nijverdal store every week: someone buys a USB-C cable for an iPhone 13, only to get home and find it simply doesn't fit. Worth a quick check first. Not sure? Pop into our accessories department — we'll sort you out with the right cable in two minutes.
What does wattage mean, and why does it matter?
Wattage (W) determines how quickly your phone charges. More watts means faster charging — but only if your phone actually supports it. The iPhone 16 Pro supports a maximum of 27W. Plug in a 65W charger and it will simply charge at 27W. No harm done, but no benefit either.
The other way around is where problems arise. A 5W charger on a phone that can handle 45W? You'll be waiting for hours. Ever had that feeling where your phone's been charging all night and still only shows 90% in the morning? There's a good chance the charger is the bottleneck.
Our technicians see this every day in the workshop: customers who think their battery is broken, when the charger is actually the culprit. A quick will make that clear straight away.
Choosing a phone charger by brand: a handy overview
In our experience, most confusion comes from the combination of brand, model and wattage. Here's an overview of the most common phones and their recommended charger:
| Phone brand / model |
Connector |
Max. charging speed |
Recommended wattage |
| iPhone 15 / 16 (all models) |
USB-C |
27W |
30W USB-C |
| iPhone 12 through 14 (all models) |
Lightning |
20W |
20W Lightning |
| iPhone SE (2nd/3rd gen) |
Lightning |
18W |
20W Lightning |
| Samsung Galaxy S24 / S25 |
USB-C |
45W |
45W USB-C |
| Samsung Galaxy A series |
USB-C |
15–25W |
25W USB-C |
| Older Android (pre-2019) |
Micro-USB |
5–10W |
10W Micro-USB |
Bought a refurbished iPhone or Samsung Galaxy? Check the model in your settings. On our refurbished iPhones and Samsung devices, we always list the maximum charging speed in the product description, so you know straight away which charger you need.
Original, MFi-certified or budget: what's safe?
We'll be honest about this, even if it costs us a sale: a cheap charger from an unknown brand for €3.99 can be genuinely dangerous. Not always, but the risk is real. Poor overvoltage protection can damage your battery or — in rare cases — even cause a fire.
Here are the three categories you'll come across:
- Original (Apple, Samsung, etc.): More expensive, but 100% optimised for your device. Apple adapters start from €29.
- MFi-certified (Made for iPhone): Third-party manufacturers approved by Apple. Brands like Anker and Belkin offer great quality for less money. This is our recommendation for most people.
- Non-certified chargers: Avoid them. You'll save a few pounds now, but you could end up paying for a battery repair — or worse — later.
At The Phone Shopper, we only sell certified chargers and cables. No cheap unknowns, because we see too often what they can do. Browse our range in our accessories shop.
Wireless charging: MagSafe, Qi and Qi2 explained
More and more people are switching to wireless charging. Convenient — but here too, choosing the right phone charger means thinking about compatibility.
- Qi: The universal wireless standard. Works with most iPhones (from iPhone 8 onwards) and Android devices. Charging speed: typically 5–10W.
- MagSafe: Apple's magnet-based system, exclusive to iPhone 12 and newer. Up to 25W on the iPhone 16 series. Requires a MagSafe charger or certified alternatives.
- Qi2: The new open standard based on MagSafe technology, supported by a growing number of Android phones and iPhones. Charges at up to 15W on compatible devices.
Last week, a customer came in from Almelo with an iPhone 14, puzzled by how slowly his wireless charger was working. It turned out to be an old 5W Qi pad. Switching to a MagSafe charger more than doubled the charging speed. A small change, a big difference.
Step-by-step: how to choose the right charger
Want to get it right quickly and confidently? Follow these steps:
- Check your connector type: Look at the bottom of your phone — USB-C, Lightning or Micro-USB?
- Find your maximum wattage: Google your model + "max charging watt" or check the specifications. You're also welcome to pop in and see us in Nijverdal.
- Choose an adapter with that wattage: No need to go higher — your phone automatically manages what it can handle.
- Choose a certified brand: Anker, Belkin, Apple, Samsung — steer clear of unbranded no-name options.
- Don't forget the cable: A 45W adapter paired with a cheap Micro-USB cable will still only deliver 5W. Cable and adapter need to match.
- Consider going wireless: Have an iPhone 12 or newer, or a modern Android? A MagSafe or Qi2 charger is a wonderfully convenient option.
What if your phone still doesn't charge properly with the right charger?
Then the charger probably isn't the issue. The most common causes we see in our workshop are:
- Poor battery condition: Batteries wear out after 300–500 charge cycles. A battery below 80% capacity charges irregularly and needs replacing.
- Dirty or damaged charging port: Dust, fluff or a slightly bent pin in the port can cause a poor connection. Sometimes a clean is all it takes.
- Software issue: Occasionally, a factory reset or an iOS/Android update resolves the problem.
Not sure whether it's your battery? At The Phone Shopper, we'll check your or for free. A battery replacement often costs just €39–€59, and your device will charge like new again. Far cheaper than a new phone — or check out our refurbished range for a great-value alternative if you fancy an upgrade.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use any USB-C charger for my iPhone 15?
Technically, any USB-C charger will work, but for optimal charging speed you need a USB-C Power Delivery (PD) adapter of at least 20W. Cheap USB-C chargers without PD support will charge your iPhone 15 at just 5W — more than four times slower than it's capable of. Go for a certified adapter with USB-C PD.
Is it bad to leave my phone on the charger overnight?
Modern smartphones use smart charging software that slows down or pauses charging once the battery is full, so it's less harmful than it used to be. That said, we'd still recommend not keeping your phone at 100% all the time — for long-term battery health, keeping it between 20% and 80% is ideal.
What's the difference between fast charging and normal charging?
With standard charging (5W), fully charging a modern smartphone can take 2.5 to 3 hours. With fast charging (20W–45W), you're done in 45 to 75 minutes. Fast charging does require a compatible adapter and cable. Depending on the brand, the technology goes by different names: USB Power Delivery (PD), Qualcomm Quick Charge, or Samsung Super Fast Charging.
Does a Samsung charger work with an iPhone?
It depends on the model. A Samsung USB-C charger works perfectly with an iPhone 15 or 16, as these also use USB-C. For an iPhone 14 or older with a Lightning connector, you'll need a Lightning cable — in which case the Samsung adapter will only work if it has a USB-C port on the adapter side. Always check both ends of the cable.
How do I know if my charger actually delivers the stated wattage?
Cheap chargers from unknown brands often claim a higher wattage than they actually deliver. You can test this with a USB power meter (a small gadget that costs just a few pounds), but the easiest solution is simply to choose a certified brand like Anker, Belkin or the original manufacturer. That way, you know exactly what you're getting.
My phone charges very slowly even with a fast charger. What now?
First, check whether the cable also supports fast charging — many bundled cables max out at 3A/60W, which can be a limiting factor for some phones. Next, inspect the charging port for dust or damage, and check in your settings whether "optimised charging" or "battery protection" is enabled, as this can sometimes cap charging speed. If none of that helps, your battery condition may be too low. Feel free to come in for a free check.
Still have questions about which charger suits your phone, or just want to talk through your options? Come and visit us at Willem Alexanderstraat 11 in Nijverdal, call us on 0548-549536, or browse our full range of chargers and accessories online. We're happy to help — no sales pressure, just honest advice.
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