A charger and a cable look like the simplest things you will buy, yet they decide how fast your phone fills up and whether it does so safely. This guide explains the numbers on the box in plain language.
Watts: the one number to understand
Power is measured in watts (W). It is voltage multiplied by current, so a 20 W charger might deliver 9 V at about 2.2 A. More watts means faster charging, up to the limit the device itself accepts. A charger with more watts than your device needs is not dangerous: the device negotiates and only draws what it can use. A charger with fewer watts simply charges more slowly.
Typical ranges: earbuds and watches draw 2 to 5 W; phones accept anywhere from 15 W to well over 60 W depending on the model; tablets 20 to 45 W; thin laptops 45 to 65 W; larger laptops 90 to 140 W.
USB Power Delivery and PPS
USB Power Delivery (USB PD) is the open fast-charging standard used over USB-C. The charger and the device agree on a voltage and current, which is why one good USB-C PD charger can serve a phone, a tablet and a laptop. PD 3.0 goes up to 100 W; the newer PD 3.1 extends to 240 W for demanding laptops.
PPS (Programmable Power Supply) is an optional part of PD that lets the device fine-tune the voltage in small steps. Many Android phones only reach their top charging speed with a PPS charger. If the box does not say PPS, assume it is not there.
Quick Charge and brand-specific fast charging
Quick Charge is a separate standard mostly found on USB-A ports and some Android phones; its recent versions are compatible with PD. Several phone makers also have their own proprietary fast charging that only reaches full speed with their own charger and cable. On any other charger those phones still charge, just at a standard PD or USB speed.
What your device actually accepts
The charger's maximum does not matter if your device accepts less. Check your phone's or laptop's specifications for its maximum wired charging watts and whether it needs PPS or a brand-specific protocol. Match the charger to that figure, with a little headroom if you share the charger between devices.
GaN chargers
GaN (gallium nitride) chargers use a newer semiconductor that runs cooler and allows a smaller body at the same power. A 65 W GaN charger can be close to the size of an old 18 W brick. Apart from size and heat, they charge the same way as any other PD charger. They are worth it for travel and for high-watt chargers.
Multi-port chargers share power
A charger marked 65 W with three ports does not give 65 W to each port. The total is split, and the split rules are printed in the small table on the box or on the charger itself. A common layout is 65 W on one port alone, 45 W plus 20 W with two devices, and a smaller share each with three. If you need a laptop to charge at full speed, plug it in alone or pick a charger whose total exceeds the sum of your devices.
Cable ratings
- USB-C to USB-C cables are rated for 60 W (3 A) by default. Cables for 100 W or 240 W (5 A) carry an electronic marker chip and usually say so on the cable or the packaging. A 60 W cable will hold back a 100 W laptop charger.
- USB-A to USB-C cables are limited by the USB-A port and do not support USB PD, so expect standard speeds and, at best, Quick Charge.
- Lightning cables for older iPhones and some accessories come as USB-A to Lightning (standard speed) and USB-C to Lightning (faster, with a PD charger).
- Data speed is separate from charging speed. A cheap charging-only cable may transfer files very slowly or not at all.
Signs of a bad charger
- Gets very hot to the touch, buzzes or smells.
- The plug pins are loose, thin or not at the right spacing.
- No safety markings, or markings that are printed crooked or misspelled.
- Unusually light for its claimed wattage.
- Charges much slower than the label says even with a good cable.
- Your phone's touchscreen becomes jumpy or unresponsive while charging.
A poor charger can damage a battery over time and, in the worst case, cause a fire. Stop using one that shows these signs.
Plugs and voltage in Egypt
Egypt uses 220 V at 50 Hz with the two-round-pin plug (types C and F). Nearly every modern USB charger is rated for 100 to 240 V, so a charger bought abroad works with a simple plug adapter; you do not need a voltage converter. Check the small print on the charger for "100-240V" to be sure. Avoid stacking adapters and overloaded power strips, and make sure the plug sits firmly in the socket.
If you are unsure, ask us through the contact page and we will point you to a matching option.