Huawei phone chargers - varying amperage?

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geekIT

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#247731 19-Feb-2019 15:25

I've two Huawei phones, a 'Y3' and a 'Y6 2018'. I also have two Huawei chargers.

One charger, that I know for a fact came with the Y3 phone, is marked '5V 1A'.

But the other Huawei charger, which I only assume is the right one for the Y6-2018, is marked '5v 550mA'.

I've searched online for Y6 charger specs but all I've found is that they should output 5V. No mention of amps.

I've noted elsewhere, under general comments about cellphone chargers, that '5V 2A' should be fine for any phone.

Anyone able to comment on this difference?

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Inphinity

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#2183711 19-Feb-2019 15:34

Voltage affects whether it will charge (or, perhaps, do damage). Generally, current will affect rate of charge. The 1A charger will charge faster than the 550mA charger. 2A or 2.1A is reasonably standard for 'fast charge' afaik. A device can draw less current than the charger supports, but cannot variably control the voltage draw.

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geekIT

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#2183849 19-Feb-2019 18:06

Uh...thanks. But, what?

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Aredwood

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#2183973 19-Feb-2019 20:56

What exactly is your problem? Is your phone very slow to charge?

Often, there is no 1 spec for cellphone charging. I own 3 different genuine Samsung chargers. And they are all rated at different current outputs. They all charge my S8+ just fine. The charge speed is different of course depending on which charger I use.

If an iPhone owner tries to use my quick charger. Their phone takes ages to charge. As the iPhone doesn't support the same quick charge standard as my Samsung quick charger.

Jase2985

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#2184592 21-Feb-2019 08:07

geekIT:

Uh...thanks. But, what?

you ask ta technical question and someone responds with a technical response and you way what?

what are you looking for in a response?

current = how fast it will charge, lower = slower, higher = faster

the device will only draw up to x amount of current even if the charger can supply more, ie the device might only draw 1.5A when the charger can supply 2.1A this is normal

voltage is normally 5v for USB chargers, some will lower the voltage but this is normally hone dependant and they will still put out 5v for normal phones

sbiddle

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#2184595 21-Feb-2019 08:14

Without really knowing what the issue is, answering an open ended question is difficult.

Chargers these days are complex, especially because there are a myriad of fast charging standards out there.

A phone will only draw the current it requires, and plugging a phone into a 5V 500mA charger or a 5V 2A charger may not make a big difference because if the phone supports Huawei FCP (their fast charging protocol) and the 2A charger isn't a smart charger or doesn't support FCP then the phone may only charge at 500mA regardless as it's unable to negotiate a faster charging rate.

timmmay

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#2184611 21-Feb-2019 08:41

I'll try to say what the others have said, more simply. Note that there are exceptions to everything I say, particularly around the many fast charging systems, but this is the easy version.

Voltage

Voltage is the key factor for charging phones. You need the correct voltage, 5V, to charge a phone.

Current

The current (mA / A) is the maximum rate the charger can deliver. A 1A charger in theory charges a phone twice as fast as a 500ma / 0.5A charger. You can use a 100ma charger if you like, but it will take a long time. 2A is fairly standard.

Charging Speed

Huawei phones (at least the P9) draw more current when the battery is closer to empty, less when it's closer to full. It might take 1.8A when the phone is 40% full, but by the time it's reached 90% mine will often only take 0.2 to 0.4A. This is because it's better for the battery to be charged slower as it gets closer to full.

Resources

If you want to learn more you can read about charging or prolonging the life of Lithium Ion batteries. Newer batteries are lithium polymer, which are similar.

geekIT

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#2184739 21-Feb-2019 11:13

Aredwood: What exactly is your problem? Is your phone very slow to charge?

The problem is, I don't know if using chargers with amperage that's not 'ideal' is likely to damage the phone's battery.

I mean, the required voltage for most tablets and phones seems to be 5V. But the amperages vary, as I noted in my OP.

What are the implications of high or low amperage?

(BTW: No, my phone isn't slow to charge. Though I guess the time will vary, depending on which of the two Huawei chargers I use: the 1A or the .2A?)

EDIT: Sorry guys, I started the above response yesterday but didn't finish it, Then just now I picked up where I left off, without checking to read new answers. Seems like amperage isn't as important as I'd thought.

My bad.

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nitro

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#2184762 21-Feb-2019 11:39

timmmay:

Charging Speed

Huawei phones (at least the P9) draw more current when the battery is closer to empty, less when it's closer to full. It might take 1.8A when the phone is 40% full, but by the time it's reached 90% mine will often only take 0.2 to 0.4A. This is because it's better for the battery to be charged slower as it gets closer to full.

that is standard cc/cv charging algorithm for lithium ion batteries, not specific to huawei or any other brand.

OP,

as Jase2985 said, your phone will not draw current at a higher rate than it can support (safely handle). if it tops out at 1.0A, your 2.1A charger will only be supplying that.

timmmay

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#2184773 21-Feb-2019 11:56

nitro:

that is standard cc/cv charging algorithm for lithium ion batteries, not specific to huawei or any other brand.

Yes, it's generally true. The Moto G5 seems to barely slow down when near full. It definitely charges faster on a standard high current USB charger than Huawei P9.

robjg63

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#2184797 21-Feb-2019 13:08

geekIT:

The problem is, I don't know if using chargers with amperage that's not 'ideal' is likely to damage the phone's battery.

I mean, the required voltage for most tablets and phones seems to be 5V. But the amperages vary, as I noted in my OP.

What are the implications of high or low amperage?

(BTW: No, my phone isn't slow to charge. Though I guess the time will vary, depending on which of the two Huawei chargers I use: the 1A or the .2A?)

The phone will take what it needs from the charger.

If the Phone is capable of charging at 1A and the charger will only output .5A then it will work fine - just take longer to charge.

If you have a 2A charger and the phone wants a maximum of 1.5A then that will be fine as well - You wont blow the phone up - It will just take 1.5A.

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geekIT

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#2184817 21-Feb-2019 13:41

Thanks to all. Helpful answers from everyone 🙂

'Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.' Voltaire

'A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.' Edward Abbey