Got a new phone, lost your Phone charger or need more charging options? You will be surprised at the wide variety of mobile phone chargers on offer starting from original chargers offered by mobile phone manufacturers to car and desktop chargers manufactured by other companies. You can take your pick depending on the requirements.
What to look for
Before buying a new mobile phone charger identify your needs. Do you want to replace a lost or old charger? Or are you looking for more charging options like charging in the car, through the laptop or while travelling abroad? Genuine chargers made the phone manufacturers are recommended. Also look for CE & ROHS approval which will ensure your safety. Most chargers should also come with a minimum 12 month warranty.
Charger Options
Mains or travel chargers are the most common mobile phone chargers, available in both original and duplicates. Car chargers with or without holders can be plugged in to the cigarette lighter. Travel pouches that contain multiple pins are convenient when you have more than one phone or if you are travelling out of the country. Desktop chargers with multiple ports look compact and smart and chargers that can be connected to the USB ports in laptops come in handy while on the move or when there is no power source available. The latest in the market is the car charger which comes with a socket so that it can be used as a mains charger.
The Universal Charger
The European Commission in 2009 called on all phone manufacturers to make phones that would work with a universal charger. Apple, Emblaze Mobile, Atmel, Huawei Technologies, Motorola, LGE, NEC, Qualcomm, Nokia, RIM, Sony Ericsson, Samsung , Texas Instruments and TCT Mobile have agreed to comply with the standards issued by the commission with regard to this. Universal chargers will reduce e-waste, enable users to stick to the same charger through multiple phones and also reduce the cost of new mobile phones since manufacturers will not have to include one with every phone. Phones that are compatible with these standards are expected to hit the market very soon.