Car chargers

[Texter]

Are all chargers the same? Is a T-Mobile branded car charger better quality then the ones you see on eBay? I hate to pay the going rate locally, but don't want to ruin my phone either.

 

[Martimus]

Assuming each car charger has the same phone end connector on it... I'd verify the output spec's of the car charger before using it. Some output more wattage than others... and some phones require different watttages than others.

 

[takeshi]

Are all chargers the same?

Nope. Specs and build quality and reliability definitely vary.

Is a T-Mobile branded car charger better quality then the ones you see on eBay?

Not necessarily. I wouldn't blindly assume that accessories from a carrier store are better than the alternatives. Look at the charger itself, not just where you bought it from.

I'd verify the output spec's of the car charger before using it. Some output more wattage than others... and some phones require different watttages than others.

Current is typically what people really need to look at. Not all chargers output the same number of mA. Rule of thumb is that the lower the mA, the slower the charge (USB is 500mA).

 

[zuben el genub]

What if your car charger is USB? The wall charger that came with the Galaxy S has a USB adapter. I have a car charger that accepts USB plugs. I've used it for a BB, Garmin, and Sandisk Sansa. Does that automatically cut down to 500mA?
Thanks
Z

 

[Martimus]

Current is typically what people really need to look at. Not all chargers output the same number of mA. Rule of thumb is that the lower the mA, the slower the charge (USB is 500mA).

True but then again Watts = Volts * Amps. We know the volts in cars tends to be fairly consistent (12 volts) so watts and amps become equivalent ways of looking at the output of the charger. That said I'll defer to your suggestion of looking at current instead of wattage...

 

[manianapai]

There are many choices of car charger, such as 10W/15W/18W, it depends on your demand.