SOLVED: 3 Easy Ways To Speed Up Mobile Phone Charging

We manage many phones, but primarily Samsung Galaxy‘s and there is a perpetual request for faster charging. This is a note we sent to one of our clients explaining how they can speed up their charging:

1. Shorter, Thicker Cables

• Improvement: We see about a 20% improvement with just shorter cables.
  • A recent test we ran showed that we could charge an S25 from 10% to 90% in about 60 minutes using a 3′ cable, but it would take 75 minutes on a similar 6′ cable
• Length: The longer the cable, the more material the electricity has to travel through, and therefore, the higher the resistance. Shorter cables minimize this resistance
• Thickness (Gauge): Thicker wires have a larger cross-sectional area, which means less resistance to the flow of electricity. This allows more current to pass through efficiently, leading to faster charging
  • Resistance: Electricity faces resistance as it travels through a wire. This resistance converts some of the electrical energy into heat, meaning less power reaches your phone

What to look for in cables:

• Shorter length: Aim for cables around 1 to 3 feet (0.3 to 1 meter) for optimal charging speed.
• Lower AWG (thicker wires): While not always explicitly stated on packaging, high-quality fast-charging cables often have thicker wires. Some cables mention a gauge like “28/24” (data/power), where a lower number for the power wires is better
• Display: Some of the better cables had small LED screens that show you their charging rate

We just bought a few more 4′ SooPii 240W USB C to USB C Cables, because they have proven to be fast and just long enough for almost all our clients uses.

NOTE: NO, we were not paid for this endorsement and we are NOT making any money from the link.

2. Optimize Your Charger and Power Source

• Use the Right Wall Adapter: This is arguably the most crucial factor. Your phone needs a charger that supports its fast charging technology (e.g., Samsung’s “Fast Charging” or “Super Fast Charging,” or universal standards like USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) or Qualcomm Quick Charge)
  • Wattage (W): Higher wattage chargers generally deliver more power. Check your phone’s specifications to see what wattage it supports (e.g., 15W, 25W, 45W, etc.). While a higher wattage charger won’t “force” more power into your phone than it can handle, it ensures the charger isn’t the bottleneck
  • Samsung Certified Chargers: For Samsung phones, using original Samsung-certified chargers and cables is recommended to ensure full compatibility and optimal performance
• Plug into a Wall Socket: Wall outlets nearly always provide more consistent, higher power output than USB ports on computers, laptops, or public charging stations
• Avoid USB Hubs/Low-Power Ports: These often have limited power output, significantly slowing down charging

3. Optimize Your Phone Settings and Usage

• Enable Fast Charging Settings: On Samsung Galaxy phones, go to Settings > Battery and device care > Battery > More battery settings (or Charging settings depending on your One UI version). Ensure “Fast charging” and “Super fast charging” (if supported) are toggled ON
• Turn Stuff Off:
  • Turn off your phone: The absolute fastest way to charge is with your phone powered completely off. This ensures all incoming power goes directly to the battery, without any being consumed by the operating system or apps
  • Enable Airplane Mode: If you can’t turn off your phone, enabling Airplane Mode significantly reduces power consumption by disabling Wi-Fi, mobile data, Bluetooth, and GPS
  • Close background apps: Apps running in the background consume power, even if you’re not actively using them. Close all unnecessary apps before charging
  • Avoid using your phone while charging: Using your phone for activities like gaming, watching videos, or Browse while it’s plugged in will significantly slow down the charging process as the phone is simultaneously consuming power
• Keep your phone cool: Heat is not only detrimental to battery health, it slows charging
  • Remove the case: Some phone cases can trap heat. Consider removing your case while charging, especially with fast chargers that generate more heat
  • Charge in a cool environment: Avoid charging your phone in direct sunlight or in a hot car

Other Considerations

• Battery Health: An aging or degraded battery will naturally charge slower and hold less charge. If your phone is old and experiencing very slow charging despite all other optimizations, a battery replacement might be necessary
• Software Updates: Keep your phone’s software updated. Manufacturers like Samsung often release updates that improve battery optimization and charging efficiency
• Avoid wireless charging for speed: While convenient, wireless charging is generally slower and less efficient than wired charging, and it often generates more heat. If speed is your priority, stick to a wired connection
• Clean the charging port: You might think this is a long shot, but dust and debris will accumulate in your phone’s charging port over time. That will lead to a poor connection and slower charging. Gently clean it with a toothpick or, better yet, a can of compressed air (be careful not to damage the pins)

By combining these strategies, you can significantly improve the charging speeds of your Samsung Galaxy phone and other mobile devices.