The Evolution of Phone Chargers: Then and Now

0
Chargers Then and NowChargers Then and Now

The Evolution of Phone Chargers: Then and Now

Phone chargers have been a staple for phones, both modern and old. As of most technologies, the need for its evolution is inevitable.

 

We’ve seen chargers going from wired to wireless, with developers going as far as making a charging pad. Although we can’t really tell what the future holds, we can speculate that it will be more innovative and beyond our imagination!

 

And with all these current innovations, let us bring you back to what seems like a not-so-distant past of phone chargers.

Nickel Cadmium Battery ChargersNickel Cadmium Battery Chargers

Nickel Cadmium Battery Chargers

Although the first Ni-Cd (Nickel Cadmium) battery was created in 1899, it only gained popular usage in the 80s and 90s, when Motorola was the star of its industry.


At that time, phones were slotted into a charging dock to charge. The classic Motorola DynaTAC, also known as the banana phone, took approximately 10 hours to fully charge! This is a fuss as one would have to wait half a day for the battery to fully charge, but the phone battery is only able to last for a couple of hours or so.

 

Moreover, the more you charged your phone, the lesser its battery life, as Ni-Cd batteries builds up “the memory effect” over time. Together with the toxicity of cadmium used in it, Ni-Cd batteries were slowly phased out from consumer electronics.

Classic Wall ChargersClassic Wall Chargers

Classic Wall Chargers

Let’s fast forward just a bit further to the future after Ni-Cd batteries — the much better Li-on battery.

 

To complement the batteries, wall chargers were created. These were plugged right into wall sockets, with the battery attached to a charging dock, or connected to the device itself. These cable chargers were typically found in home and were significantly better than its predecessor.

 

One major improvement is its charging speed. Instead of waiting half a day, the wall chargers can now fully charge a —depending on its lifespan—battery in just a couple of hours.

 

Prominent phones during this period are the likes of Nokia and Sony Ericsson, but Li-on batteries are still on the market today, used for various devices.

USB Cable ChargersUSB Cable Chargers

USB Cable Chargers

The advent of USB cable chargers can be linked to the rise of smartphones—the dependency of information and data.

 

No longer are phones just used for calling, but to explore the internet, see how our loved ones are doing, review products to buy, and so much more. But how does the USB cable come into the picture?

 

With transfer capabilities, users can now connect their phones with their computers for files and information transfer. As such, everyone can easily transfer information they need from their phones to their computer, and vice versa. The charger is now not only a gadget used to power up devices, but it has become more than that.

Portable Power BankPortable Power Bank

Portable Power Bank

Smartphones are sometimes found guilty of gobbling up power, due to our dependency on using it to help us in our daily tasks. In an attempt to remedy the issue, the portable power bank was introduced. First invented in 2001, the power banks that we know today have almost become a necessity for heavy phone users.

 

Depending on the power bank’s capacity, it can fully charge up a smartphone in a 3-hour timespan, combining both portability and charging efficiency.

Wireless ChargerWireless Charger

Wireless Charger

Since the late 19th century, electrical pioneer Nikola Tesla has demonstrated that wireless charging is possible. However, it’s a technology that doesn’t have much practical application, until recently.  One of the biggest players in the smartphone industry, Apple , has just launched the MagSafe charger, compatible with other devices that use Qi charging .

 

The immediate benefit of wireless charging is that it’s not prone to wear. As oppose to the conventional chargers, the need for plugging and unplugging the cable is nonexistent—that alone improves the durability of its materials.

 

Not counting out portability, weight and intuitiveness, wireless chargers just might be the future of electronics. Who knows, one day we might be able to leave our devices on a table, without any cables, and it will be powered up efficiently for our daily use.

Looking for a phone charger to replace your current one? Check out our catalogue of chargers of reputable brands worldwide here !