How to fast charge your iPhone 8

Apple has launched the iPhone 8, it brings a line of new features and one is its ability to rapidly charge to 50%, but you don’t get a fast charger in the box.

If you bought the iPhone 8 and want the promised fast charging, the standard iPhone 8 package does not come with a fast charger, to get the advertised fast speed you need a new charger. Apple likely did this to keep packaging size smaller and also to make users buy their accessories.

What is PD charging?

There are many fast charging protocols, such as QC3.0, Pump and Apple also have their own for iPhones and iPads, if you have a few different devices, you will need a different charger to fast charge each one. There are some chargers with multi protocol, but not one charger that will fast charge everything.

PD changes all that, it is a universal charging protocol so any brand can use it. It is designed to charge fast and to unite all brands in one fast charging system. It brings the promise of one fast charger for every device.

Fast charging with the new iPhone

If you stick with Apple, the original chargers are $50, a fraction of the price of a new iPhone, but, just like their cables, they are overpriced. Alternatives are available.

Are third party iPhone PD chargers safe?

PD is open to all manufacturers, so the exact same protocol is in other chargers. Provided you grab a genuine PD charger, the performance will be identical. As this is a tech not controlled by apple, these chargers do not need to be MFI certified. However, this is only for PD chargers, you should still check all lighting cables for certification.

How to protect your phone from low battery?

A survey shows that people feel anxious and nervous when their phones have low battery.This week Banggood offers 4 ways to get rid of Low-battery anxiety.

1.Use the Good-quality charger & charger cable

A good-quality charger & cables not only enable to fast charging but also protect your phone.

2.Solar charging can help you in outdoor

The Solar chargers don’t have built-in batteries, but they are more effective at converting solar energy to power. If you are going to clamp or other outdoor activity, the solar charger might be more suitable for you than the normal power bank for these reasons:1.It’s more portable 2.It can work sustainably as long as there is the sunshine.

3.Car Charger

A car charger is used to keep your phone juiced up when you are on the road.One function Car Charger shares the advantage of safety performance and top-level charging effect, compared to the multi function ones.

Tips for Car Charging：It’s better to start your car before your phone charging.Becuase the huge current at the car starting moment might have an impact on your phone.

4.Power bank

It’s hard to deny that a power bank is an incredible thing that saves us from the nervous and panic of low battery.There’s a massive selection on offer, catering for every need.

There are 2 tips for choosing a nice power bank from our product manager:

1.Check the brand and source of the cell.

2.Be careful to a small-size power bank with a large capacity.

5 Steps to Setting Up Your New Laptop

A new laptop or computer is like a blank slate: ready to be customized with your preferences and programs. Whether this is your first computer or your fiftieth, these 5 steps for setting up your new computer will create an important foundation going forward, with the security, most important applications, and settings to prep your laptop for full-time use.

  1. Get Rid of Bloatware

Bloatware, or software installed by the manufacturer that you don’t want (such as trial versions of picture greeting software), is less common in new computers these days–and definitely less likely to be in business computers as opposed to consumer computers.

Bloatware is still around, though, and if you want a lean, mean computing machine, you may prefer to wipe your drive of these unwanted programs. It’s easiest to do this at the start, as soon as you get your laptop.

One way to get rid of the bloatware is to just use the regular program uninstall feature in Windows’ Control Panel, but this can still leave your system with stray entries in the system’s registry. A cleanup utility like Ccleaner can more thoroughly get rid of all traces of unwanted programs. It’s free and easy to use.

Otherwise, you can wipe your laptop’s hard drive and install your operating system from scratch (provided you have the OS installation disks or you make your own for this purpose).

  1. Set Up Laptop Security

Password-protect your user accounts.

When you set up your user account(s) on the laptop, make sure you add a strong password: One that has a combination of character types and is long enough.Because laptops are more easily stolen or lost, you want to make sure anyone who finds your laptop won’t be able to access its contents.

Change the Administrator password. The default Administrator account is disabled by default in Windows 7 and Vista, but if you’re using an older version of Windows, you’ll want to change the default Administrator password (find the account under the Control Panel > User Accounts.

Install security programs. The first programs you should install on your laptop are security ones to help protect against viruses and other threats. Here are a few recommendations:

  • Antivirus/Anti-Malware: Unless you have a disk with the A/V program already, you’ll need to hop online and download then install the software. For a free option, take a look at Microsoft Security Essentials or avast! Free; both provide protection against viruses and spyware. You’ll need antivirus protection if you’re on a Mac as well; ClamXav is a free, open-source antivirus program for Macs.
  • Firewall: You should also turn on Windows’ Firewall and Windows Defender if they’re not turned on already. For more robust protection, consider a dedicated firewall that may include email scanning, adware removal, and more configurable firewall options. Comodo Firewall is a free option, but About’s Wireless/Networking site offers more top firewall picks for both Windows and Mac.
  • Laptop Recovery: Anti-theft software for laptops can help you retrieve a lost or stolen laptop–but you need to install it before you lose your laptop or it gets swiped. Prey (previously reviewed), is free laptop recovery software that has a light footprint, so there’s no reason not to install it.
  • Encryption software: For true mobile security, it’s critical you encrypt all sensitive information stored on your laptop. The open source utility TrueCrypt can create an encrypted volume on your laptop to store that important information, and it can encrypt your entire system as well.
  1. Get System Updates

With your antivirus program installed, now check for system updates.

On Windows, go to the Control Panel > System and Security to find the options to check for and install updates. On Mac, go to the Apple menu and click Software Update.

  1. Install Your Essential Programs and Documents

Install all the programs that you need for everyday use, including office applications and your email program (unless you use cloud-based apps for these purposes). I’ve posted a few programs on my list of essential applications, which include backup software, a password manager, and syncing programs.

Two great utilities that can save you time and make installing all your favorite apps a breeze are AllMyApps and Ninite. These app installers for Windows give you a one-click installer for popular programs like Google Chrome, Skype, VLc, and more and keep them up to date.

If you use a syncing program like Dropbox or SugarSync, setting up future computers is much easier, since your documents will automatically be synced over. Otherwise, you’ll probably need to transfer your files from your old computer to your new one. There are a couple of ways to do this:

  • Use Windows Easy Transfer, a wizard built into Windows 7 to move your files and program settings from the old computer to the new one. You’ll find it on a new Windows 7 laptop under the Start menu > Getting Started > Transfer your files.
  • You could also connect both PCs to a router (for speed, a wired connection is preferred) and then copy the folders over.
  • Or you could connect both PCs together with a crossover cable, a special type of Ethernet cable.
  1. Backup Your System and Create a Custom Install Disc

Once you’ve got everything set up the way you like, it’s a good idea to backup the entire system. Create your DVD backups or put the backup on an external hard drive and label it with the name of your laptop, the date, and something like “initial install.” This way, if you ever want to go back to a clean setup, you can restore this backup. While you’re at it, set up your automatic backups (daily, weekly, and monthly both onsite and offsite, e.g., to an external hard drive and to a cloud service).

You can also create your own “slipstreamed” Windows installation disc (DVD-R or USB stick) so in the future you can install Windows with your preferences, updated drivers, and other customizations. The RT7Lite utility can help you do this. Enjoy your new laptop!

How to Get 4G or 3G on Your Laptop

It’s increasingly becoming more important for us to have high-speed Internet access wherever we are—especially, for example, on our laptops when we’re working on the go. Mobile broadband devices allow us to tap into a wireless carrier’s 4G or 3G network from our laptops and other mobile devices for always-on connectivity. Here’s an overview of the different ways you can get 4G or 3G Internet access on your laptop.

Built-In 4G or 3G Mobile Broadband

Most of the latest laptops, netbooks, and tablets offer a mobile broadband option, where you can have a 3G or 4G card or chipset built into the laptop when you order it (for an additional cost). You’ll have to sign up for mobile broadband service, but often you’ll be able to select the wireless service provider.

  • l Pros: Convenience of having mobile wireless connectivity already set up as soon as you get your laptop (no need to install your own mobile broadband device); less obtrusive than a USB 3G or 4G laptop stick.
  • l Cons: Not transferable to other laptops or devices.

4G or 3G Laptop Stick

If you don’t already have a mobile broadband card built-in or want a separate device that you can use with more than one laptop, a 4G or 3G USB modem (a.k.a. laptop stick) is easy to install—it’s plug-and-play like most USB sticks. USB broadband modems typically cost under $100.

You can buy the laptop stick and sign up for the mobile broadband plan directly from the wireless provider or retailers like Best Buy.

  • l Pros: Can be used on different devices (e.g., switched from one laptop to another). Some laptop sticks also function as USB thumb drives for portable storage and other useful purposes.
  • l Cons: Sticks out of your laptop’s USB port; easy to misplace or lose.

3G or 4G Mobile Hotspot

Mobile hotspots can be either hardware devices like FreedomPop’s Freedom Spot or a feature on your mobile device. You connect your laptop wirelessly to the 4G or 3G mobile hotspot, much like you would connect to a wi-fi network or wi-fi hotspot. As with the other options, you’ll need to subscribe to a mobile data plan for your mobile hotspot device—or if you may need to pay an extra “hotspot” fee to use the built-in hotspot feature on your smartphone. One major advantage of a mobile hotspot, however, is that you can typically connect more than one device to it for shared mobile Internet access.

  • l Pros: Usually can connect 5 or more mobile devices at once.
  • l Cons: Have to carry around a separate device (though mobile hotspots tend to be pretty thin and small, about the size and width of a credit card).

Cell Phone Tethering

Tethering is where you connect your cell phone to your laptop to use your cell phone’s data service on the laptop. There are many tethering apps available to enable tethering via USB cable or bluetooth, including the popular PdaNet app.

Although many people have been able to get around additional tethering charges by jailbreaking their smartphones, most wireless providers are charging extra for the privilege of connecting your phone to your laptop.

  • l Pros: May be able to use the data plan you’re already paying for on your cell phone without extra charges (otherwise, tethering charges are between $15-20).
  • l Cons: Tethering can be slow and drain your phone’s battery more quickly.

Which option is best for you? Besides heading to a wi-fi hotspot or Internet cafe for free Internet access, tethering is the least expensive option for getting Internet access on your laptop when you’re not at home. If you have multiple devices or want to share a mobile broadband connection, a mobile hotspot makes the most sense. 3G or 4G laptop sticks are also convenient and easy to use.

What Makes a Smartphone Smart?

You probably hear the term “smartphone” tossed around a lot. But if you’ve ever wondered exactly what a smartphone is, well, you’re not alone. How is a smartphone different than a cell phone, and what makes it so smart?

In a nutshell, a smartphone is a device that lets you make telephone calls, but also adds in features that, in the past, you would have found only on a personal digital assistant or a computer–such as the ability to send and receive e-mail and edit Office documents, for example.

So, it’s essentially connected to the internet and offers personalized services as a result. (Some people think that’s so the phone can spy on you.)

But, to really understand what a smartphone is (and is not), and whether you should buy one, we’ll start with a history lesson. In the beginning, there were cell phones and personal digital assistants (or PDAs). Cell phones were used for making calls–and not much else–while PDAs, like the Palm Pilot, were used as personal, portable organizers. A PDA could store your contact info and a to-do list, and could sync with your computer.

Eventually, PDAs gained wireless connectivity and were able to send and receive e-mail. Cell phones, meanwhile, gained messaging capabilities, too. PDAs then added cellular phone features, while cell phones added more PDA-like (and even computer-like) features. The result was the smartphone.

Key Smartphone Features

While there is no standard definition of the term “smartphone” across the industry, we thought it would be helpful to point out what we here at Lifewire.com define as a smartphone, and what we consider a cell phone.

Here are the features we look at:

Operating System

In general, a smartphone will be based on an operating system that allows it to run applications. Apple’s iPhone runs the iOS, and BlackBerry smartphones run the BlackBerry OS. Other devices run Google’s Android OS, HP’s webOS, and Microsoft’s Windows Phone.

Apps

While almost all cell phones include some sort of software (even the most basic models these days include an address book or some sort of contact manager, for example), a smartphone will have the ability to do more. It may allow you to create and edit Microsoft Office documents–or at least view the files. It may allow you to download apps, such as personal and business finance managers, handy personal assistants, or, well, almost anything. Or it may allow you to edit photos, get ]driving directions via GPS, and create a playlist of digital tunes.

Web Access

More smartphones can access the Web at higher speeds, thanks to the growth of 4G and 3G data networks, as well as the addition of Wi-Fi support to many handsets. Still, while not all smartphones offer high-speed Web access, they all offer some sort of access. You can use your smartphone to browse your favorite sites.

QWERTY Keyboard

By our definition, a smartphone includes a QWERTY keyboard. This means that the keys are laid out in the same manner they would be on your computer keyboard–not in alphabetical order on top of a numeric keypad, where you have to tap the number 1 to enter an A, B, or C. The keyboard can be hardware (physical keys that you type on) or software (on a touch screen, like you’ll find on the iPhone).

Messaging

All cell phones can send and receive text messages, but what sets a smartphone apart is its handling of e-mail. A smartphone can sync with your personal and, most likely, your professional e-mail account. Some smartphones can support multiple e-mail accounts. Others include access to the popular instant messaging services, like AOL’s AIM and Yahoo! Messenger.

These are just some of the features that make a smartphone smart. The technology surrounding smartphones and cell phones is constantly changing, though. What constitutes a smartphone today may change by next week, next month, or next year.

What Makes Apple So Special and Desirable?

Apple has been at the top of the game for several years now. Be it releasing new and innovative products, expanding business or helping with creating several new job opportunities, Apple always manages to be one step ahead of the competition. What is it that makes Apple so desirable and so very special? How does the company keep up its formidable status since the last couple of decades or so? What is it that makes people swoon over each and every one of Apple’s releases? Here is an analysis of some aspects that makes Apple stand head and shoulders above the rest of the competition.

Apple and Steve Jobs

The first thing that comes to one’s mind when one talks of Apple is Steve Jobs, who became synonymous with the brand name and as famous as the brand itself. Jobs opened up several new vistas for the company and actually redefined the whole concept of mobile, during his time. He came up with new and innovative ideas, also those that would please the insatiable minds of users all over the world.

Not only was Jobs the main force behind manufacturing new products into the market, but he also took an aggressive lead in marketing those products. Once he was appointed the CEO of Apple, he made plans to further the company and bring it right to the forefront in the mobile market.

Several industry experts believe that Apple may experience a dip in business, post Steve Jobs’ recent demise. But the company insists that Jobs had already planned products for a full year, which meant that the company would be able to stabilize itself without customers feeling a bad jolt at his loss.

Jobs always thought of different and unusual ways of increasing business for Apple. Here is a list of the strategies he resorted to, in order to get Apple to the position it is in today:

Diverse Range of Products

pple has released a number of diverse and stylish-looking products ever since the late 1970s. The company that started with humble beginnings grew steadily, introducing the Apple II series of personal computers, the Mac and then the much sought-after iPod, iPhone and iPad.

Now, each new release of the iPhone and the iPad causes the public to go into a veritable frenzy, clamoring for the product. This cult status has been achieved by very few other products in the market.

Dynamic Business Plan

One major reason for Apple’s success is its dynamic, constantly changing business plan. Jobs intently studied the market and tried to ascertain the pulse of the audience. Apple originally started as just another computer company. But Jobs always knew that it was meant for much bigger things.

Apple had to widen its approach if it had to grow to great heights. The team, therefore, changed its business plan to introduce many more different products. Starting with the release of Final Cut Pro, the company went on to experiment with MP3 players, iPhones and the later iPads.

Jobs also changed the name of the company from Apple Computer Inc. to Apple Inc., which gave the company a much broader spectrum and vision.

Creating a Retail Store

The creation of their own retail stores proved to be a huge turning point for Apple. Realizing that retail outlets were not giving Apple what it deserved, the company decided to open its very own retail store.

At present, Apple boasts of over 250 retail stores worldwide. This move gave the company the required push to surge forward in the mobile market.

Partnering with the Competition

Steve Jobs planned yet another unusual but very effective move for Apple. He got in touch with Bill Gates and got him to invest $150,000,000 in the company. This rescued the company’s flagging reputation at that time, stabilizing it and helping it back on its feet.

Then, Jobs also decided to manufacture mobile parts for rival companies such as Samsung. This further enhanced the company’s profits and reputation as a supplier of mobile components.

Opening up Job Opportunities

Taking the business to many parts of Asia and Africa, Apple automatically opened up new job opportunities for iPhone app developers in those continents as well.

Also, the company hired employees from diverse fields, such as musicians, artists, historians and so on, so as to receive a different, unique perspective from such people.

Microsoft finally admits Windows Phone is dead

In a series of tweets, Microsoft’s Joe Belfiore has revealed that the software giant is no longer developing new features or hardware for Windows 10 Mobile. While Windows Phone fans had hoped Microsoft would update the platform with new features, it’s now clear the operating system has been placed into servicing mode, with just bug fixes and security updates for existing users.

“Of course we’ll continue to support the platform.. bug fixes, security updates,” says Belfiore. “But building new features/hw aren’t the focus.” During the recent Windows 10 Fall Creators Update development phase, it has been obvious Microsoft is no longer working on the mobile experience. The software maker branched its development process into “feature2,” leaving Windows Phone fans disappointed.

Microsoft’s Windows Phone platform has been dead for more than a year, but the company has never officially admitted it before. Microsoft gutted its phone business last year, resulting in thousands of job cuts. During Microsoft’s recent Build and Inspire conferences, CEO Satya Nadella dropped the company’s mantra of “mobile-first, cloud-first” in favor of a focus on what he describes as the intelligent cloud and intelligent edge. This new area of focus means Microsoft is now working on multi-device scenarios and cloud-powered technologies that don’t always involve Windows.

Belfiore also admits he switched to Android, just like Bill Gates, and that Microsoft will support Windows 10 customers who want to use Android and iOS on their phones. One of the big reasons Microsoft is giving up on Windows Phone is because developers never backed the platform. Microsoft had many problems with its Windows Phone app store, and the inability to retain apps once they were developed. “We have tried very hard to incent app devs,” explains Belfiore. “Paid money.. wrote apps 4 them.. but volume of users is too low for most companies to invest.”

It’s now clear Microsoft has faced the reality that people don’t need Windows on their phones. The software maker has been focused on iOS and Android apps and experiences over the past couple of years. Microsoft’s Edge browser is making its way to iOS and Android, and the company seems to be focused on improving the experience of linking a phone to a PC and resuming apps and documents between the two.

A new Microsoft Launcher for Android even goes a step further in improving the overall Android experience, with clever customizations and PC sharing features. Expect to see a lot more of this in the future. It’s now unlikely we’ll ever see a Surface-branded phone or more Windows 10 Mobile-powered hardware. Microsoft’s investments in iOS and Android will only benefit Windows 10 customers, and it could make up for the company’s messy efforts in mobile over the years.

Best small tablet 2017

The tablet’s heyday might have been and gone but there are still some decent small tablets around which will make a nice companion for your phone or laptop. Here are the best ones you can buy.

New tablets are somewhat hard to come by these days but if you’re in the market for a pint-sized slate then here are the best small tablets around you can buy.

Your buying guide for the best small tablets in 2017

The tablet market has slowed down significantly over the last few years, so much so that the likes of Sony and LG don’t even make them anymore. We used to have plenty of favourites including the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact and LG G Pad 8.3.

Google’s hugely popular Nexus 7 seems like a lifetime ago and Tesco sadly ended the amazing Hudl range. Although many are a distant memory, there are a handful of small tablets still around that you can buy brand new.

You can still rely on firms like Apple, Amazon and Samsung for this kind of device.We’reking tablets with a screen size under 9in as a typical full-size tablet starts at 9.7in.

We’ve managed to round up the best small tablets you can buy in 2017 and some of them even launched this year. We’ll endeavour to add more as review them.

  1. Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8

This is a tablet well worth considering if you’ve been thinking about buying the iPad mini 4, as it can contend and sometimes outshine Apple’s mini tablet when it comes to design and power. It’s almost unbelievably thin and light and that screen is a joy to use.

  1. iPad mini 4

The iPad mini 4 is now only available in 128GB so starts at a higher price of £419. That makes it one of the most expensive small tablets around but it’s still one of the best. It’s got a great screen, excellent build quality, top battery life and Apple’s wealth of apps. You won’t be disappointed if you can afford it.

  1. Huawei MediaPad M3

In a stagnated market, the Huawei MediaPad M3 initially feels a little underwhelming. After extended use though, we reckon it’s a cut above the mid-range, but then again at this price you are paying for it. It’s a good alternative to an iPad if you want an Android tablet that’s bigger than an iPad mini but smaller than an iPad Air 2. But, who is specifically looking for that? The MediaPad is excellent and we recommend it, but it lacks a certain ‘wow’ factor that’s largely down to the high number of existing Android tablets. The MediaPad 3 is a cut above, but you should also consider Samsung’s Galaxy Tab series for a similarly excellent Android tablet experience.

The First Five Things You Should Do With Your New Computer

Were you lucky enough to pick up a new computer recently?

If so, congratulations!

No matter if it’s a snazzy new Microsoft Surface Book (pictured), some other Windows 10 laptop, or a traditional desktop computer, don’t worry about your computer skills or where specific keyboard keys are.

Instead, here are the first five things you need to do:

Update Your Antimalware Program

The last thing you want to do is get your brand new computer infected with malware.

Who wants that?

I thought about calling this “install an antimalware program” but almost all computers come with one preinstalled. Windows 10 comes with Microsoft’s own tool built-in so most PCs are ready to go.

Here’s the thing, though: it won’t be updated. Probably not, anyway. So, after setting it up, head to the scanner’s settings and update the “definitions” – the instructions that teach the program how to identify and remove new viruses, Trojans, worms, etc.

Tip: Like I mentioned above, new Windows computers typically have basic antivirus protection, but it’s not the best.

Install Available Windows Updates

Yes, I know, you’d think your brand new computer would be fully updated but chances are it won’t be.

Microsoft releases security and non-security updates to Windows on at least a monthly basis, often times more frequently than that!

Tip: The Windows Update tool is preconfigured to download and install updates automatically. While this is generally a good thing, it can be a bit overwhelming of a thing to happen in the background during the first few hours of using your new computer.

Install a File Recovery Program

This one might surprise you. Why install a program to help recover accidentally deleted files if you haven’t even used your computer yet, let alone lost something?

Here’s why: The big catch-22 about file recovery programs is that you often have to install one before+ you can use it, a process which could permanently overwrite the area on the hard drive where your deleted file is sitting. That’s not a risk you want to take.

Sign Up for an Online Backup Service

Yep, another proactive step here, one you’ll be thanking me for someday.

Online backup services are combination software tools and subscription services that automatically keep what data you want to be protected on secure servers away from your home or business.

In my opinion, an online backup service is the best and most cost effective long term solution to keeping your data safe.

Uninstall Programs You Don’t Want

You may already have noticed that your computer came with a lot of… well, let’s just say “extra” software.

In theory, leaving these programs installed won’t hurt much if anything, aside from taking up a bit of hard drive space. In reality, many of these preinstalled programs run in the background, hogging up memory and processor power that you’d rather use for other things.

My advice? Head into Control Panel and get those programs removed.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO CHARGE YOUR PHONE? USB TYPE-C, WIRELESS, FAST CHARGING?

There are heaps of options for charging your phone these days. Once upon a time we simply had the choice between charging with a wall socket or with our computer and a USB cable, now have USB Type-C, wireless docks, fast charging and even fast charging wireless docks. So which is best? We take a look at charging speeds, life cycles and problems to help you decide on the best way to charge your phone.

USB Type-C

USB Type C is the new kid on the block. It will soon replace standard USB 2.0 charging cables. Even though there are only two ways to plug in a current USB cable, it always seems to take at least three attempts. Type-C plugs are reversible, so it doesn’t matter which way you plug them in.

USB Type-C also has much faster data transfer speeds – up to 10 GB/s. But not always. ‘True’ USB Type-C uses the USB 3.1 standard, but with some devices, like the OnePlus 2, the USB Type-C cable is just a redesigned USB 2.0 cable. That means the OnePlus 2, using the included cable, won’t transfer data any faster than any other USB 2.0 device. So be sure not to judge a book by its cover.

Furthermore, a redesigned USB 2.0 cable is not going to charge a device with a USB Type-C port any faster than a regular 2.0 cable, because on the inside it’s the same. However, charging speeds are more limited by the device than the cable. So if your phone has a Type-C port and you get a real Type-C cable then you will get Type-C speeds.

A USB Type-C cable can charge at up to 100W at 20V, whereas most smartphones are limited to 18-24W (and the OnePlus 2 to 10W). Most USB Type-C equipped smartphones will be limited to 36W at at 12V with the upper reaches of USB Type-C’s range reserved for laptops.

Wireless charging

Wireless charging usually works through one of a few standards: Qi, PMA, WPC are the most common. Some devices, such as the Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Galaxy Note 5, support both the Qi and PMA standard, making getting the right charger much simpler.

Wireless charging, for all its convenience, comes at a cost. For instance, it is slower than cabled charging because the efficiency of the power transfer is negatively affected by distance as well as the coupling strength between the magnetic coils in either side of the connection. Poorer coupling also generates more heat.

The other cost of wireless charging is literal: charging docks and platters cost significantly more than a regular cable. Where a regular USB Type-C cable will set you back US$5, a wireless dock can cost as much as US$50 (for an official Samsung wireless charger) or around US$20 for a no-name brand.

Wireless charging is generally around 20 percent slower than cabled charging but, you guessed it, it depends on the device and the output of the wireless charger. To give an example, the Nexus 5 cabled charger works at 1.2A and the wireless charger at 1A. Some wireless chargers will only charge at half the speed; Qi is limited to 5W where Type-C can hit 100W.

Fast charging

Fast charging is the latest and greatest innovation, even though it’s not all that new. Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 1.0 standard has been around since the Droid DNA and Nexus 4. Where Quick Charge 1.0 was 40 percent faster than regular charging, 2.0 was 75 percent faster, and the recently-announced Quick Charge 3.0 will be four times faster than standard charging.

Quick Charge 2.0 appeared in devices as far back as the HTC One M8 and 3.0 will appear in phones running Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 820 next year. Despite the speed boost, what effect does fast charging – or turbo charging as its sometimes labeled – have on your battery?

Generally speaking, the life of a battery is dependent on charge cycles, although other factors like heat, humidity and damage can have an effect too. Lithium ion batteries don’t have memory like some older battery types, meaning there is no need to fully deplete and fully charge them. But whether you charge them fully each time or not, their life span is still calculated in terms of full charge cycles.

If you want to fully understand how partial charges affect total charge cycles, you can visit the Battery University for a quick lesson on how partial discharges affect the life cycle of a lithium ion battery. But how does fast charging affect battery life?

If you’re using the included charger (or an official optional accessory charger) then your battery life shouldn’t be affected by fast charging. But a fast charge battery will still die sooner than a regular battery designed for more gentle charging. It’s the battery tech equivalent of the brightest lights burning out the quickest. But fast charge batteries are designed with this in mind.

If you’re using fast chargers that weren’t designed for your device though, the variances in amperage, voltage and resistance can cause problems. Fast charging relies on special hardware in the charger and a chip in your phone that helps regulate how much charge is being pumped into your phone. Modify the ingredients in this finely balanced recipe, and you might have a mess on your hands.

Fast wireless charging

This is a whole new kettle of fish. Samsung introduced its new quick charge wireless platter alongside the Note 5 and S6 edge+. It’s an optional extra and isn’t backwards compatible with the regular S6 or S6 Edge. But it will provide quick charge capabilities with the convenience of wireless charging.

But how fast is it compared to regular wireless charging? The new fast wireless standard promises to be 1.4 times faster than regular Qi wireless charging and will up the charge ceiling to 15W – that’s three times the current standard. According to Samsung, you’ll charge your Note 5 or S6 edge+ 50 percent faster with fast wireless charging than you would with regular wireless.

So which is best?

That depends on what you want out of your battery. If you want to prolong your battery life as much as possible, a regular cable charger is your best bet. If you’re all about convenience and hate cables then wireless is for you.

But if the fastest possible charge time is what you’re after, then you’re going to want to look for a cabled fast charger or USB Type-C device. If you’re in the market for a new phone and want the best of all worlds then pick up a Note 5 or S6 Edge+ along with Samsung’s fast wireless charger. Other devices will soon appear featuring the same tech.

In all honesty, a mixture of all methods is the most likely solution. You can fast charge at home where your fast charging adapter lives, charge wirelessly at the office where you have your nifty wireless dock, and with a regular cable at your non-techy friend’s house.