Robert Triggs / Android authority
Samsung caused a whole new headache for consumers when they dropped the chargerIt would be Galaxy S21. Now you pay extra for a new charger, browse a range of third-party options, or just rely on an old plug you have left. Not an easy choice to decipher - especially given eternityconfusing status of USB-C charging standards.
Before rushing to buynew charger,we've tested a selection of older smartphone plugs and many newer third-party chargers to help you make your decision. Here's everything you need to know about buying the perfect Samsung Galaxy S21 charger. Fortunately, many of these choices also work for the Galaxy S22 series. Newer devices support up to 45W charging, so choose carefully.
Our thoughts: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra review
The best Samsung Galaxy S21 charger for fast charging
Robert Triggs / Android authority
The entire Samsung Galaxy S21 range charges at a maximum rated power of 25W. This is achieved by usingUSB poweredStandard programmable power supply (USB PD PPS). However, the S21 family can also achieve top speed with Quick Charge 4+ compatibility. Specifically, the phone negotiates about 2.6 amps at 9.3 volts for a total of 25W of charging power.
As such, you can't get this speed with regular USB power, Quick Charge 3.0, or several other charging standards.
The Galaxy S21 only charges at 25W using the USB Power Delivery PSS plug. Other plugins also load, albeit more slowly.
Of course, Samsung sells chargers designed to charge its latest smartphones. The company's 25W and 45W travel adapters are USB PD 3.0 PPS compliant, but you won't need them unless you plan to charge your Galaxy Note 10 Plus, S20 Ultra, or USB PD-enabled laptop or tablet.
Learn more: The best Samsung fast chargers
If you are looking for a future-proof 45W PPS plug in the market, you can spend less money and achieve the same results as Samsung with the Elecjet 45W. The Elecjet 45W charger supports the required USB PD PPS charging modes and we have tested the phone to confirm that it outputs the maximum power of up to 25W Galaxy S21.
We also tested PPS complianceAnker PowerPort III Pod 65W. This turned out to be a bit more demanding, but it ended up charging the Samsung Galaxy S21 series super fast. At $40, this charger is a competitive choice against Samsung's 45W option, but it doesn't offer as much bang for the buck as the Elecjet if you're just looking for a phone and not a laptop charger.
Hoping for more multi-port charging options? Check out some of our favouritesHere.
Can I charge my Galaxy S21 with my old Samsung charger?
If you already have an older Samsung charger, you may not need to buy a new one to fast charge your Samsung Galaxy S21 smartphone. The Samsung 25W Super Fast Charging and 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0 plugs support USB PD PPS and offer a combined power of 25W supported by the Samsung Galaxy S21 series.
Samsung has included a 25W Super Fast Charging plug with the Samsung Galaxy Note 10, Galaxy S20 and Galaxy Note 20. You need a brand new phone, but the last generation of Samsung phones already have the best charger for the Galaxy S21.
Newer Samsung chargers with a USB-A port labeled Adaptive Fast Charging will still work with the Samsung Galaxy S21, but they won't offer the fastest charging speed available. These plugs fall back on Samsung's Adaptive Fast Charge standard to provide 15W to the Galaxy S21 series. The adaptive plug can be found in the set with the Galaxy S20 FE series, Galaxy S10 and older Samsung models.
Samsung's older Adaptive Fast Charging plugs deliver 15W, the same as the newer USB PD and Quick Charge accessories.
15W may not seem like much, but if you don't jump on a USB PD PPS charger, 15W is the max power you'll get from third party plugs. We've tested a wide variety of third-party chargers with support for Quick Charge and USB Power Delivery, and the Galaxy S21 only draws 15W from these chargers as well. So you might as well save some money and stick with the old Samsung charger.
Read further:The best portable chargers
Charging Samsung Galaxy S21 with old phone chargers
Robert Triggs / Android authority
If you're upgrading from a different brand of phone, the charging speed you get when you try to charge your new Samsung Galaxy S21 is much more anomalous. We tested chargers from Apple, Google, LG, HUAWEI, Xiaomi and others. The table below is not an exhaustive list, but it does contain the key specs needed to fast charge Samsung's latest flagships.
| Charger | Universal standards supported | Samsung Galaxy S21 charging power |
|---|---|---|
| Charger Google Pixel Charger | Universal standards supported USB PD (5V 3A, 9V 2A) | Samsung Galaxy S21 charging power 15 W via USB PD 2.0 |
| Charger LG 16W fast charge | Universal standards supported Fast Charging 3.0 | Samsung Galaxy S21 charging power 15W via Fast Charge 2.0 |
| Charger HUAWEI 40W blower | Universal standards supported HUAWEI super charging | Samsung Galaxy S21 charging power 9W |
| Charger HUAWEI 66W super charging | Universal standards supported HUAWEI super charging | Samsung Galaxy S21 charging power 15W via Fast Charge 2.0 |
| Charger Realme VOOC Flash Charge 3.0 | Universal standards supported | Samsung Galaxy S21 charging power 0,5 watt |
| Charger Adapter Xiaomi 30W, 40W en 120W | Universal standards supported Fast Charging 3.0 | Samsung Galaxy S21 charging power 15W via Fast Charge 2.0 |
| Charger ZTE Fast Charge 3.0 | Universal standards supported Fast Charging 3.0 | Samsung Galaxy S21 charging power 15W via Fast Charge 2.0 |
If you have an old phone charger that supports USB Power Delivery, Quick Charge 3.0 or Quick Charge 2.0, it will charge your Samsung Galaxy S21 with up to 15W of power. Chargers that support proprietary fast charging standards, such as those from HUAWEI and realme, are less likely to support these universal standards and will charge at 9W or 5W by default, or may not work at all.
In general, Chinese brands support proprietary rather than universal standards that the Galaxy S21 supports. The more well-known western house brands such as Google and LG work quite well with the latest flagships from Samsung.
The same rule of thumb applies to third-party accessories from Anker, Belkin, and others. Plugs and ports that support USB Power Delivery, Qualcomm Quick Charge and Samsung AFC provide up to 15W of power for the Samsung Galaxy S21. Standard USB ports or ports that support Apple's 2.4A standard will revert to charging at 9W or slower.
Related:The best USB-C cables money can buy
Which adapter charges the Samsung Galaxy S21 the fastest?
If you're interested in the specific results of our charging test for the Samsung Galaxy S21, check out the table below for our full dataset.
Based on our extensive testing, the only way to reach the Samsung Galaxy S21's maximum charging power of 25W is to use the USB Power Delivery PPS plug. So far, we have only identified four chargers that power the Samsung Galaxy S21 at full speed. These are the Samsung 25W and 45W Super Fast Charging Plugs, the Elecjet 45W Super Fast Charging Adapter and Anker's PowerPort III Pod.
Other third-party chargers usually go up to 15W, which is slower but still quite functional. The Samsung Galaxy S21 charges at 15 W according to USB Power Delivery, Quick Charge and Samsung Adaptive Fast Charging standards. So there is plenty of support for this speed from older phone plugs and third party accessories. Remember, not every old phone charger or accessory will fast charge your Samsung Galaxy S21.
Characteristics
SamsungGalaxy S21
FAQs
How fast can I charge my Samsung Galaxy S21 with an old charger? ›
If you have an old phone charger that supports USB Power Delivery, Quick Charge 3.0, or Quick Charge 2.0, then it will charge up your Samsung Galaxy S21 with a maximum of 15W of power.
Can I use my old charger for Samsung S21? ›The Samsung Galaxy S21, S21 Plus, and S21 Ultra don't include a charger, only a USB-C to USB-C cable. If your old charger has a USB-A port, this cable won't fit and you'll need to buy a new cable to charge your device. With the new USB-C charger, it takes 20 to 30 minutes less to charge your device.
Can I use my old Samsung charger for my new Samsung phone? ›Samsung has used USB-C chargers on devices since 2017 – or since the Galaxy S8 and Note8. If you've had a Galaxy device since then, you'll be able to use its charger.
Can I charge S21 with any charger? ›S21 Battery charging tips and precautions
It is recommended to use the Samsung-approved battery, charger and cable specifically designed for your device. An incompatible battery, charger and cable can cause serious injuries or damage to your device.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 supports wall chargers up to 25W for fast charging.
Is it OK to use an old charger on a new phone? ›Factors to Consider When Using Your Old Phone Charger
New phones will likely recognize old chargers at lower voltages than the charger designed to go with the phone. However, the phone will adjust to the old charger's voltage, meaning that the phone itself and the battery will not be harmed.
The phone takes only the current it can handle. Consequently, when you plug a fast-charging phone into a conventional phone charger, it will charge at a slower rate. Onboard microprocessors monitor and manage the battery's state of charge and health to ensure that they get what they need at a rate they can handle.
How do you know if a cable is fast charging? ›Check the Voltage and Current Output
If you see a cable that puts out power at 5V, 9V, 12V or even 2000mA, this is a sure sign that it's a fast charger. On the other hand, anything below 1000mAh is considered a slow charger. So look for 5V-2A or 5V-2000mA.
Samsung does not recommend using any chargers other than Samsung chargers, especially chargers that are uncertified or counterfeit. These can hinder the charging of your device and may cause battery issues if used long-term. Always make sure your charger is an authentic Samsung charger, cable, and adapter.
Is it safe to charge Samsung phone with other charger? ›What Charger Can I Use? As long as you're using the right cable or the right wireless standard (and it's difficult not to), you can use just about any charger with your phone.
What power charger for Samsung S21? ›
25W USB C Fast Charger for Samsung, Charger Plug with 1M USB C Cable For Samsung Galaxy S22 S21 S20 S10 S9 S8 Note 25W Fast Charging USB Type C Also Compatible With Other Type C Devices (BLACK)
What charge does Samsung S21 use? ›S21 Battery charging tips and precautions
Use only USB Type-C cable supplied with the device.
【Compatible for All USB C Devices】：USB C to C type fast charging cable are all compatible with below 100W charger (such as Google Pixel 7 Pro charging block, Samsung S20/S21/S22 charger block, iPad Pro/Air/Mini charger box, Macbook Pro charger cube).
Which charger is best for Samsung? ›The Anker 312 Ace 25W was designed and marketed toward Samsung phones with their Super Fast Charging (PPS 25W) feature. It does everything an 18-20W USB-C charger can do, plus provide more efficient super fast charging for any newer Samsung as well as newer Google and Motorola phones which also support PPS.
Is 20W fast charging for Samsung? ›Samsung Super Fast Charging: The 20W PD Wall plug cargador for samsung s22 ultra wall charger fast charger allow charging Samsung S21 fe phone from 0% to 50% within 30min with fast charger c cord , usb c power adapter and c cable can support fast charging for Samsung Galaxy A13 5G/S22/S22 FE/S21+/S21 Ultra/S21 Plus 5G/ ...
Can I use old charger for USB-C? ›Despite featuring the proprietary lightning port, iPhones and all Apple-made chargers already use the industry standard USB-Power Delivery spec, which means existing chargers will work perfectly fine with the upcoming USB-C iPhone.
Can I use normal charger for fast charging phone? ›You can charge your phone with all chargers. The only thing is the speed of charging, nothing else... I often use the charger of Samsung, Acer, USB port of my computer, .... It will charge slower, but should not hurt the battery (unless the charger is pretty low quality).
Can using the wrong charger damage your phone? ›Using a charger with the wrong voltage can overheat your phone's battery, potentially causing a fire. So, in short, it's definitely not worth the risk to use the wrong charger for your phone. Stick with the charger that came with your phone, or buy a new one from the same manufacturer.
What happens if I charge my phone with slow charger? ›It is less damaging than actively using your phone while it charges. If slow charging means you will need to use it while charging, then you may be better off with fast charging.
Does charging overnight damage the charger? ›The most common myth about overnight charging is that it can overload your battery. This is simply not true. All smartphones are designed with protective measures that prevent the battery from overcharging once it's full.
Do fast chargers shorten battery life? ›
This means if you leave your phone plugged in when at max battery (be it with a fast charger or standard charger), you will damage the battery over time. If you actively want to extend the battery's life, limiting the amount of time it is at full charge will help.
Does lightning cable mean fast charging? ›You can fast charge your iPhone 8 and later up to 50 percent battery in around 30 minutes. To fast charge, you need an Apple USB-C to Lightning cable and one of these adapters: Apple 18W,2 20W, 29W, 30W, 35W, 61W, 67W, 87W, or 96W, or 140W USB-C Power Adapter.
Does a shorter cable mean faster charging? ›Remember, the shorter the cable, the faster the charging time. If you plan to use wireless charging, make sure you get a wireless charger that can fast charge. A wireless charger provides a very convenient way of charging your phone without cables. Generally speaking, though, they are much slower than a cable.
Why did Samsung stop putting chargers? ›Samsung smartphones come with a USB Type-C data cable, but they do not come with earphones or a charger plug in the box because we want to minimise the impact our products have on the environment. More and more Galaxy users are making sustainable choices in their daily lives to promote better recycling habits.
Is it better to use original charger? ›You don't necessarily need the original charger
In terms of safety, it doesn't matter if you use a charger from the same brand as your smartphone or a different charger. All of our chargers are safe and won't damage your battery.
Samsung seems to have made a conscious decision to not jump on this bandwagon because it prioritizes battery health. I can't imagine what consistent charge cycles at 240W will do to the phone's battery but it's probably not going to be conducive to good health.
What are the old Samsung chargers called? ›Micro-USB used to be the most common USB port and is still found on many older models. This type of connection allows data to be read without needing a computer.
Does it matter what phone charger you use? ›Risks of Using the Wrong Charger
If you use a USB charger that is not powerful enough to charge your phone, it can overheat and damage its internal components. On the other hand, using a wall charger that is too powerful for your phone can damage its battery and reduce its life expectancy.
Yes, you can use your smartphone while charging. There is no danger in using your phone while it's charging. When you use your phone while charging, the battery is charging at a slower rate than normal to allow enough power for the ongoing usage.
Why is my S21 struggling to charge? ›Try a different charging cable - It's been noticed that many people feel frustrated about the charging problem of their Samsung S21 devices, but it's been found that the problem was actually with their charging cables. So, it's suggested that you try using a different cable to use with your mobile charger.
Why is my Samsung S21 not charging fast? ›
➊ Go to "Settings", then tap "Battery and device care". ➋ Tap “Battery”. ➌ Tap “More battery settings”. ➍ Tap the switch to activate "Fast charging", "Super fast charging" or "Fast wireless charging".
Why is my Samsung S21 charging slow? ›Check the charging cable
It is possible that you may be using a cable incompatible to support fast charging speed. This is why we recommend using the official USB Type-C cable that comes bundled with the box. You can also buy it separately if you do not have it.
Spigen 15W Wireless Charging pad
It supports 15W fast charging for supported smartphones, meaning it's perfect for your Galaxy S21.
Anker 715 Charger (Nano II 65W)
This is a tiny charger from Anker that can achieve an output of up to 65W. You can use this to charge your laptop, too, and not just your Galaxy S21.
Senior Member. I am charging my s21U with an 40w charger, works without problem. not using 40 watts of course, but its working.
What voltage is fast charge on Samsung S21? ›The best Samsung Galaxy S21 charger for fast charging
Specifically, the phone negotiates around 2.6 amps at 9.3 volts for a total of 25W of charging power.
Alongside standard wireless charging, many of Samsung's phones also feature reverse wireless charging. It's called Wireless PowerShare, and it allows your Galaxy phone to wirelessly charge Bluetooth accessories and other smartphones that support Qi technology.
Can S21 charge wirelessly? ›Your S21 device can be used with wall chargers as well as wireless chargers when you need to recharge at the end of a long day. If you're looking for the newest charging accessories check out our website. There are a few different wireless chargers you can choose from.
Can I use 40w instead of 25w charger? ›It is perfectly safe to use any certified charger wattage with any device. The reason for this is that the device only uses the wattage it can take…
What is the fastest watt charger for Samsung? ›With the 45W charger, you can get your Galaxy to full bars super-fast.
Will any fast charger work with Samsung? ›
Super fast charging is only available on select device, and you will need to use a 25W or 45W Samsung-approved adapter. To use a charging feature, first navigate to and open Settings, and then tap Battery and device care. Tap Battery, and then tap More battery settings.
Do you need a Samsung charger for fast charging? ›You are unable to use the fast charging feature or the super fast charging feature when you charge the battery using a standard battery charger. To use the fast charging feature, you have to use a wired battery charger that supports Adaptive fast charging.
Should I use 20W charger? ›Using a 20W charger provides an extra 20% of power to the battery (17% with an 18W charger). However, 30% won't reassure most people, so taking a power bank is the only option.
Can I use a 45W charger instead of 25W Samsung? ›The Samsung Galaxy S21 is compatible with a charger that provides a maximum power output of 25W. Using a charger with a higher power output, such as a 45W charger, should not cause any damage to the device, but the charging speed may not be any faster than using a 25W charger.
Can I use old Samsung charger for S22? ›Your Samsung S22 includes a USB-C to USB-C cable. You need this special cable with 2 USB-C connectors to connect your S22 to the new USB-C fast chargers. If you still have a cable like this at home, that'll work fine as well. However, older cables with an angular USB-A connector won't fit in the new fast chargers.
Do I need a voltage converter for my Samsung phone? ›Fortunately, all modern USB power adapters produced by reputable brands will support dual voltage. As long as your charger isn't counterfeit or from the year 2002, you are not going to need a voltage converter to charge your phone in another country, just a plug adapter so your phone will plug into the wall outlet.
Can I use 40w charger for s21? ›Senior Member. I am charging my s21U with an 40w charger, works without problem. not using 40 watts of course, but its working.
Will using a fast charger damage my phone? ›Fast charging is not inherently bad for your phone. The risk comes from the heat that a fast charge generates. Heat, whether it comes from leaving the phone in a hot car or overcharging it, can hinder your battery's performance. In extreme circumstances, the battery can even swell or explode.
Can the wrong charger ruin your phone? ›Using a charger with the wrong voltage can overheat your phone's battery, potentially causing a fire. So, in short, it's definitely not worth the risk to use the wrong charger for your phone. Stick with the charger that came with your phone, or buy a new one from the same manufacturer.
What voltage is Samsung S21? ›The best Samsung Galaxy S21 charger for fast charging
Specifically, the phone negotiates around 2.6 amps at 9.3 volts for a total of 25W of charging power. As such, you can't obtain this speed when using regular USB Power Delivery, Quick Charge 3.0, or various other charging standards.
What happens if you don't use a voltage converter? ›
' The United States operates on 110-120 volt electricity while many foreign countries, such as France, operate on 230 volt electricity. If your appliances are NOT dual voltage, this difference in electricity can damage and blow out appliances such as your hair dryer.