Nexus 4: Which one is better, charging from portable charger with 1A or 2.1A?

[thisismelol]

Hi guys ^^
I use Nexus 4 and sometimes I need to charge it with portable charger.
But I can not find a suitable portable charger with the right output power for my Nexus 4.
The original charger gives output 5.0V-1.2A, and my portable charger (with 2 power output) gives output 1A and 2.1A

The questions is: Which power output is better for my phone, charging from 1A or from 2.1A power output?
And is it OK if I charge my phone with that? Because both of those outputs are not the same with the original one (1.2A).

Thanks for any response Have a good day ~

 

[Adamsberg]

Use the 2.1A, the N4 will only take the amperage which it is needing.

 

[dbareis]

I believe the faster the charger the shorter the battery life.

 

[oberkc]

As I understand batteries and charging, both adamsberg and dbareis are technically correct. But, I agree with the advice from adamsberg...the amount of current taken by the phone will be that which is needed, and no more. Just because a charger is capable of outputting a higher current does not mean that it WILL ouptut the higher current. Power supplied from a charger is wholly dependent on the load (phone, in this case).

Yes, faster charging can increase heat in batteries, and decrease service life. I believe, however, that this would require a higher voltage. Charge rates are dictated by voltage, limited if charger cannot provide sufficient current at a given voltage. I don't believe the use of the 2amp charger would result in faster charging.

 

[gusar2000]

I charged N4 with both 1A and 2A chargers (2A came with N7). Didn't see any difference.
BTW, I charged N7 from 1A charger - as a result, charger was quite warm, and charging time increased.

 

[TheLegoman]

I believe the faster the charger the shorter the battery life.

Not necessarily. The phone controls how many amps it pulls. No matter how many amps your power brick can put out, the phone will draw the same power. Thus, it does not affect battery life.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[bulletmark]

I believe the faster the charger the shorter the battery life.

I believe that fairies dance in my backyard at night.

 

[thisismelol]

Thanks all for the help
Especially oberkc

As I understand batteries and charging, both adamsberg and dbareis are technically correct. But, I agree with the advice from adamsberg...the amount of current taken by the phone will be that which is needed, and no more. Just because a charger is capable of outputting a higher current does not mean that it WILL ouptut the higher current. Power supplied from a charger is wholly dependent on the load (phone, in this case).

Yes, faster charging can increase heat in batteries, and decrease service life. I believe, however, that this would require a higher voltage. Charge rates are dictated by voltage, limited if charger cannot provide sufficient current at a given voltage. I don't believe the use of the 2amp charger would result in faster charging.

 

[dbareis]

Not necessarily. The phone controls how many amps it pulls. No matter how many amps your power brick can put out, the phone will draw the same power. Thus, it does not affect battery life.
Posted via Android Central App

So your argument is that both will charge at the same speed so therefore there is no difference? I suggest you try some timings with a stopwatch...

 

[Adamsberg]

I believe the faster the charger the shorter the battery life.

What could be the reason for to decrease the battery's service life?
Are there reasons to believe it's chemical reaction in the cells?

Okay, heat is a reason for to decrease the battery's service life.
But the chemical reaction that takes place during the charging of a lithium-chemistry cell is endothermic, as it absorbs heat ... unlike the discharge reaction which is exothermic and produces heat.
Well, the battery itself procuces heat while charging/discharging, caused by the protection ciruit which is embedded in Li-based batteries.

For practical life you'd look at your battery's temperature while charging in phone's stand-by.
Connect the phone to a PC for charging in USB mode (trickle charge) and for the next charging connect the phone to your wall charger for charging in AC mode (rapid charge).
The difference between the two modes won't be more than a few degrees celsius.

Update:
After rereading I've reason to think you don't mean battery's service life (lifecycle) but battery life within the meaning of one discharge circle ("battery life for a day" ).
Is so, sorry for my misinterpretation.

 

[Captainbob767]

So your argument is that both will charge at the same speed so therefore there is no difference? I suggest you try some timings with a stopwatch...

The only time that the phone will charge slower, is if the power supply is not capable of meeting the current demand of the battery charging circuitry in the phone. In other words, if the power supply can only supply 0.7 amps, and the phone wants 1.0 amp, it would take the phone longer to charge. If the phone only required 1 amp and you hooked it to a 10 amp power supply, there would be no difference in the charging time between a 1 amp power supply and a 10 amp power supply.

 

[oberkc]

I understand that trying to charge batteries faster does, indeed, result in additional heat, and it is the heat that can cause long-term damage to the batteries. Whether that heat is the result of the battery chemistry, or the inefficiencies associated with all electronic devices, your explanation suggests it is the latter. I believe the consequences are battery life issues (how long they last and numbers of cycles over that life) rather than the power available over the next discharge cycle.

 

[Adamsberg]

... I believe the consequences are battery life issues (how long they last and numbers of cycles over that life) rather than the power available over the next discharge cycle.

I believe this too ... and I would not discuss in any case about any influence on the power available over the next discharge cycle

 

[Dublinlad33]

When in doubt consult the manual, page 5 will see you right..... 5V 2A

http://nexus4manual.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/LG-Nexus-4-User-Manual.pdf

 

[oberkc]

When in doubt consult the manual, page 5 will see you right..... 5V 2A

Yes. This suggests to me that the minimum capacity for a nexus 4 is 2amps. Five volts is standard for USB power. Less amp capacity would cause a slower charge, due to inability to maintain 5 volts at the power level desired by the phone.

BTW....I charge my nexus on anything with a USB port...computer, ipad charger, Iphone charger, wall usb outlet, nook charger, usb port in car....anything. Sometimes it takes longer to charge. I never pay any attention to amperage, but I know that several of those USB ports have much lower capacity than 2amps, and a few greater. I know that USB is 5V, as part of the standard.

Been taking that approach on my last three phones with micro-usb plugs. I also do the same with the iPad, iPhone, and various android tablets I have laying around.

 

[marky1124]

My UK Nexus 4 came with a 5V 1.2A charger and in the Quick Start Guide in the box states that the travel adapter varies by region and always use the one that comes with your device.