Does the phone or the charger connect first? The mistake that could damage you
Connecting the charger in the wrong order could affect the battery and the phone's circuitry: this is recommended by experts in the process
The way you connect your phone when charging can influence battery life and overall device performance. This leads to a basic, but fundamental question: do you connect the charger to the outlet first or do you connect the phone to the charger first?
Although it may seem like a minor detail, technology experts and phone manufacturers have warned that there is a recommended sequence for connecting and disconnecting the charger. Following it can help reduce the risk of electrical surges and prevent premature damage to some internal components.
Read also: Why your phone charger gets hot: experts warn
What should be connected first: phone or charger?
The recommendation from manufacturers such as Huawei is to first connect the charger to the power outlet and, once it is powered, connect the cable to the phone.
According to the company, this sequence helps minimize the impact of possible voltage spikes that may occur when plugging a device into the electrical network. When the charger is already connected to the power, any initial variation in energy is absorbed by the adapter itself before reaching the phone.
On the contrary, if the phone is already connected to the charger and then the entire assembly is plugged into the outlet, the device could more directly receive a small surge generated during connection.
“If you first connect to the wall socket and then connect the phone, although the surge cannot be eliminated, to a certain extent, direct contact between the excess current and the phone can be avoided,” Huawei explained in a technical guide.
The risk of doing it the other way around
In most cases, plugging in the phone first and then plugging in the charger will not cause immediate damage. However, experts insist that repeating this habit for years could contribute to the wear and tear of some electronic components.
Surges, even small and brief, can gradually affect internal circuits, especially if the home's electrical installation has faults or frequent voltage variations.
Possible consequences include charging issues, reduced battery capacity, unexpected device restarts, system crashes, or decreased overall performance over time.
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