Chargers are vital accessories in the endurance of tech devices. While you may expect these accessories to last as long as the devices, certain malfunctions can occur during use, shortening their lifespan. These include burnout or wear, rendering your charger unsafe.
So, do iPhone chargers wear and burn out? iPhone chargers wear and burn out over time due to normal use and charging mistakes. If you strain the outer plastic layer of your charger through frequent pulling or bending, it will become susceptible to fraying, given its material. Leaving your charger in the charger box for too long will also cause wear and burnout.
Given the high cost of acquiring an iPhone charger, you would not want to replace it shortly after purchase, as this could stretch your pockets.
Apple is popular for its premium devices, with the iPhone being on its popular list. In the recent past, Apple scrapped chargers in the iPhone packages, thus users can use their existing Apple chargers or buy a new one separately.
iPhone chargers wear and burn out over time due to charging mistakes. These include straining the outer plastic layer, which exposes the wires, making them susceptible to damage. Your iPhone chargers will also wear and burn out due to a strain on the cables or if you leave the charger box on for too long.
Chargers function under high temperatures and pressure. Over time, the inside parts will wear out, and plugging such a charger in the socket for charging will easily break or burn it out. The flexible material used to make your charger easily breaks when you apply excessive pressure on it.
This can happen when you overstretch the charger to access your iPhone or use the cable to tie other times. Hence, try as much as possible to leave your phone to charge to a full battery before you continue using it. After charging, wrap your cable and place it in a secure location.
Leaving your charging box on for too long can cause malfunctioning due to overcharging. Overcharging will spread the impact on the cable and overheat your iPhone. Hence, to prevent this, remove the charging box often to allow cooling. Also, before charging your iPhone, you should plug the charging box in to maintain its location.
Using the wrong charging cable or using a bricked cable will also cause burnout. Unfortunately, in a bid to save some coins, most people fall for cheap third-party chargers. These chargers do not charge iPhones properly and, over time, degrade the iPhone battery. Hence, if you must buy a third-party charger, consider reputable sellers, as most meet the USB-PD standards and are safe for your iPhone.
The improper use and storage conditions will also enhance wear and burnout. As you use your charger, check the temperature rise. An increase in temperature indicates an inner problem in disseminating currents from the adapter to your iPhone. Hence, if your charger is hot, stop using it and determine the cause to prevent burnout.
Your charger will also burn out due to overloading. Overloading usually happens when you use a counterfeit charger. There will be a high heat release since the charger is counterfeit and the original charger parameters do not match your iPhone. Given the susceptibility of internal charger parts to damage, such high temperatures will cause burnout.
How Long Do iPhone Chargers Last?
iPhones feature a high technology in their make, which applies to their chargers and other accessories. With such advancements, you would expect these devices to last a lifetime, but like any other electronic device, they feature limitations that shorten their lifespan.
An iPhone charger will last up to one year on average, after which the cable part near the port will start fraying. This duration may extend or shorten depending on how often you use your charger. If you continue to use it without covering the frayed part, the damage will expose the conductors inside.
At this point, such a cable is dangerous and can cause a short circuit with poor handling. Hence, you should consider replacement as soon as your Apple charger gets damaged by visiting an Apple Store or an authorized dealer.
Apple chargers last shorter than other brands, given the flexible, lightweight wire in its make. In an attempt to develop sleek cables, Apple does not include a cable strain below the plug. Hence, while this is a good option, it will not take up a lot of strain.
Using your charger frequently increases the probability of damage. If you use your charger up to three times a day, you are likely to replace it within less than a year compared to those who use it once a day. Your charger will fray from frequent bending when wrapping the cable around the adapter or folding it and placing it in your bag if you are a frequent traveler.
How you store your charger will also affect its lifespan. Ideally, you should store your charger in a well-ventilated place, away from direct sunlight. If you leave your charger in the car, ensure you park your car in a well-sheltered place since the heat will affect your iPhone charger. Also, avoid placing your charger in a humid environment.
Taking good care of your charger will increase its lifespan. If you are a frequent traveler, use a cord winder to hold your charger instead of wrapping the cable around the charger to reduce the risk of breaking the internal wires. Cable protectors will also come in handy in reducing such damages.
Cable protectors are made of flexible materials such as silicone or rubber. They work by protecting the top of your wire where the joint of the port meets the wire, which is the weakest part of most charging cables and usually the first one to break.
If you are a DIYer, you can achieve the same protection from a cable Protector by adding springs to your cable collars to add tension, preventing the cable from bending past critical levels.
You should also avoid stretching your Lightning cable or hanging it from the charger. Instead, leave the cable flat on the surface to reduce tension as you charge your device. When handling your charger, exercise by avoiding tugging on the cable when unplugging your charger but instead grip the port tip to reduce the strain on the joints.
Unfortunately, if your charger is damaged, you have no option but to pack and throw it in the bin and purchase a new one. If you are convinced that your charger is not worth throwing away, you can repair it once you spot signs of damage.
Using an electrical heat shrink tubing is an ideal repair technique. This tubing is available for as low as ten dollars and will fit over your wire and then shrink to size once you apply direct heat. You can use a heat gun to apply the heat.
You will note a significant reduction in flexibility once you apply the tubing, and this will protect against future fraying. When purchasing a charger, consider the length, voltage, and material. The charger you buy should be compatible with your iPhone to reduce charging mistakes.
Consider rubber, nylon, or braided metal cables for the cable material. However, if you tend to bend your chargers often, avoid rubber as it is more susceptible to fraying. A longer cable will be useful if you always pull your charger, and a magnetic tip or wireless charger will work for those who yank their charging ports constantly in and out of the iPhone.
Besides protecting your charger, magnetic tip chargers protect your iPhone’s charging port. Wireless charging is possible with the Qi charger. Unfortunately, you cannot use your iPhone when charging it wirelessly, but this is a good excuse to take a break from your phone. For the best experience with wireless chargers, buy one with a higher wattage to enjoy fast charging.
Given Apple’s iPhone charger expense, you can consider a reputable third-party charger. However, check that the charger you buy is Apple certified. By all means, you should avoid uncertified chargers as such could permanently damage your iPhone.
Why Do iPhone Chargers Stop Working?
While you expect your iPhone charger to serve you for as long as you have your iPhone, this may not be the case. Your original charger can stop working a few days or months after purchase and understanding the reason behind this fault is necessary for corrective action.
iPhone chargers stop working when they are old and worn out. This can also occur due to a strain on the outer plastic layer from exposure to liquids or other elements that can damage them. Also, your iPhone charger could stop working if you bought a cheap model.
Normally, your charger will stop working if it is old and worn out. After years of use, your cable may even short circuit you, necessitating a new charger. If you bought a new iPhone recently and are still using an old charger, replacing your charging cable may solve this problem.
A cheap cable can also prevent your charger from working. As consumers, our focus is more on the price than on the reviews to establish a product quality before purchase. This is an attempt to save a few dollars, given the tough economic times.
While it is wise to save, investing in a good cable is vital. Hence, if you bought a cheap cable that looks more or less like the original Apple cables, it is likely to have a shorter lifespan than the original Apple cable. Hence, the next time you want to step out of the original Apple iPhone charger, check the reviews from stores like Amazon before paying for shipment.
Like any other tech device, interactions with liquids will damage your iPhone charger, causing it to stop working. Hence, if you expose your charger to water or drop the charger on a wet surface, their chances of damage increase. In such a case, you should seek replacement as soon as possible as the damage could extend to your iPhone, causing bigger losses.
If you suspect your charger is in good condition but cannot charge your iPhone, it could indicate a problem with your iPhone. Your iPhone can damage from overusing or overcharging, destroying the battery’s internal structure.
If you suspect this, you should check in your nearest Apple Store and have them inspect your iPhone for such damages. You should avoid opening your phone by yourself, which could damage it further.
Before running to the nearest Apple store to replace your iPhone charger, you should confirm that your charger is working. An apple charger has two parts, the power adapter, and the Lightning cable.
The power adapter plugs into the wall, and the cable plugs into the adapter on one end and the other on your iPhone. If nothing happens after plugging everything properly, you can test a few things to check your charger’s functionality. As you do this, you will swap out each system part to identify the faulty one.
Start by checking your wall socket by switching to a different socket while maintaining the connection. If your iPhone starts charging, you can rule out the socket as the problem. If you suspect your iPhone is the problem, try charging a different device using the same cable and adapter.
On the other hand, if you suspect the cable, try switching to another one and do the same for the adapter. This way, you will establish what part of your charging system is faulty and requires fixing or replacement.
Summary
Like other accessories, an iPhone charger is prone to wear and damages due to normal usage and charging mistakes. Straining the outer plastic layer through frequent bending and pulling will cause your charger to fray.
Over time, such damages will cause your charger to stop working, requiring replacement. With normal use, an iPhone charger will last up to one year, after which you will note significant damages. This duration may vary depending on usage, with regular users replacing their chargers even before a year is over.
Once your charger stops working, you should consider a replacement. While you may want to reduce your costs, you should avoid cheap unverified chargers as they could damage your iPhone.
Unfortunately, Apple will not cover such damages under your warranty. Hence, to be safe, purchase an original Apple charger from an Apple Store or third-party chargers from reputable brands.
