this post was submitted on 03 Jan 2025
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Ngl, the cringiest article by “no-free-chargers evangelist” (www.androidpolice.com)
submitted 1 year ago by tiz@lemmy.ml to c/android@lemmy.world
24 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

A gigantic wall of text just to say we don’t have free chargers for whatever reason. IMHO they totally miss the point of the controversy…

top 24 comments
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[–] GenderNeutralBro@lemmy.sdf.org 44 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Consumers partly killed replaceable batteries by demanding things they couldn't deliver. Waterproofing

Ehhhh...no, not buying it. We had water-resistant phones before the switch to non-removable batteries. For example, the Galaxy S5 (the last Samsung flagship with a removable battery) had an IP67 rating. The current Galaxy S24 has an IP68 rating. Go ahead, ask your average consumer what the difference is between IP67 and IP68, and how much they care.

Oh yeah, and the S5 also had a headphone jack and SD slot. You can do all these things and still have water resistance, so let's all please stop perpetuating these myths. If you're not on Apple's or Samsung's payroll, you do not need to lie for them.

[–] stardust@lemmy.ca 15 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yeah, consumers didn't kill it the companies did. Same with audio jacks and SD slots. All things to push towards buying accessories, storage upgrades, and pushing people towards buying new phones as battery related issues pop up by making battery swaps an extra hassle needing servicing.

[–] GenderNeutralBro@lemmy.sdf.org 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yeah, I've replaced phones in the past that were perfectly fine except the battery was terribly degraded. With an iFixIt repairability rating of 2 stars and a new battery costing more than the phone was worth, it just didn't make sense to fix it.

My current phone is only two years old and while it's still "fine", the battery life is noticeably lower than it used to be. I doubt it'll remain useful for another two years.

Many brands now provide software support for longer than the hardware will remain useful (thanks to non-removable batteries). Strange times!

[–] Yaky@slrpnk.net 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

What's your usage pattern for those devices? Almost full discharge + fast charge?

Asking because I only noticed a very small degradation (judging by reported charge %) in a flagship device after 3 years. A midrange phone from 2020 with heavy usage (charged twice a day sometimes, often using a fast charger) for 2-3 years did not have noticeable battery degradation. A low-end device from 2016 had no noticeable degradation after 4-5 years. Another 5+ years old second-hand phone had some, but nothing catastrophic. The only case of bad battery degradation (shutdown at 20%, unreliable gauge, etc) I have only seen in 10+ year old devices.

[–] GenderNeutralBro@lemmy.sdf.org 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Typically, I use a slow-charger overnight (a plain ol' USB type-A charger, which I think means 5W max), then top-up as needed during the day with USB-PD fast chargers. I generally do not top up to 100% during the day. I have adaptive charging enabled in settings.

That said, I'm a heavy phone user, and I've never had a phone that reliably lasts me a full day. According to aBattery, my current phone is at 750 charge cycles, which is just about 1 per day since I bought it. I'm not up to date on all the latest developments in battery tech, but I think it's normal for a battery to drop to 80% of its original max charge after 500 cycles. I don't think I have a dud on my hands, just an ordinary battery that is aging as expected. Like I said, it's still "fine". It hasn't started unexpectedly shutting off or anything like that.

I still have my old Pixel 2 (now 7 years old) that I occasionally use as a wi-fi device. I used that phone heavily for 2 years and very lightly for the remaining 5. I'm lucky if the battery lasts half an hour at this point; it's basically a desktop device now.

[–] user224@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

That said, I’m a heavy phone user, and I’ve never had a phone that reliably lasts me a full day.

Same. This time I just said "fuck it", and got a phone with huge battery. I mean, really huge. Lasts me 3 days when kept between ~ 20 - 90%. God knows what that percentage really means though.
It still shows 3.68V at "5%", and keeps charging long past "100%", so the way to ensure actual full charge is only with a USB tester. It also has some weird bugs with charging, so I recommend using a regular dumb 5V-only adapter or charge-only cable. In short - repeating split-second overvoltage on QC adapters, and no PC data after charging with original adapter until restart.
I don't need to charge it during the day, so this is OK enough.

Anyway, most people would probably not want this. The battery is 22,000 mAh. Yes, really. And the phone is also 27.5 mm / 1.08 inch thick and 647g / 1.43lbs heavy. As I said, most people would probably not want this.

For comparison with your Pixel 2, it's like 3 and a half of them stacked thick, and 4 and a half of them heavy.

Ulefone Armor 24. A cheap bug-ridden experience. However, a unique one.

[–] GenderNeutralBro@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

10 years ago, all I wanted was a brick-sized phone with a battery that won't quit. Now that we have cheap and reliable portable power banks, it's dropped down on my priorities list.

I guess a 22Ah battery would have a longer effective lifespan, too. I mean, if it drops to 50% capacity after a few years, that's still more that double most phones. So that would potentially solve my longevity issue.

[–] user224@lemmy.sdf.org 1 points 1 year ago

And just for fun: There's also Unihertz Tank 3 Pro which additionally has 5G and... A BUILT-IN PROJECTOR, because why not. But it's also quite a bit more expensive. Of course, more performance for that price too.

[–] user224@lemmy.sdf.org 9 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Look at Samsung Galaxy XCover FieldPro: https://news.samsung.com/us/samsung-introduces-galaxy-xcover-fieldpro-rugged-smartphone-thats-built-tough-field-ready/

It was basically Samsung Galaxy S9 but in a rugged body, targeted for first responders and alike. Highlight:

Powered to last the day. With a replaceable 4500mAh battery and POGO pin charging, running low on charge is never a concern. XCover FieldPro ships with an extra battery and is field replaceable, meaning staff can easily swap out batteries while at work.

MIL-STD-810G, Anti-shock, IP68 Water and Dust Resistance

You can't really make an excuse for "waterproofing" after making device like this.

I'd really love something like this honestly. Physical navigation buttons and dock charging. Mmmmm. It makes so much sense on rugged phones.
Thanks for the higher sensitivity "glove mode", but give me buttons as well, damn it!

[–] tux7350@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

That's actually a couple versions behind. I've got an XCover 6 Pro for work and I absolutely love it. The notification light and customizable buttons are my favorite.

[–] db2@lemmy.world 11 points 1 year ago

Some pro-bundling arguments look nice but break down under critical examination.

Oh how interesting, I'm sure this will be followed up by a well thought out argument against it.

In reality, manufacturers shouldn't provide free chargers with new phones. Consumer outcry won't change the reality or manufacturers' minds. Four years of hearing these faulty arguments proves it.

Fuckin nope, sure didn't!

This guy is a moron.

[–] NABDad@lemmy.world 9 points 1 year ago (1 children)

On the other hand, it needs to be made clear to the less tech savvy consumers, and that is sometimes far from easy.

My mother-in-law received a rechargeable electric lighter as a gift. The instructions included told her to use the 5 inch long USB C cable to plug the lighter into her computer to charge.

She doesn't have a computer.

She does have a smart phone that came with a USB C charging cable and power adapter. It took us almost 20 minutes to get her to understand that she could take the cable she uses to charge her phone and use it to charge the lighter. She was incredibly confused by the concept that a phone could share the same charging hardware as an electronic lighter.

[–] wccrawford@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

I think this is a pretty typical scenario for advancements. The old way was simple and easy to understand, and the new way is better, cheaper, more "green", etc. People around them will help them through the situation and it'll be fine. If it had been this way from the start, it would all be fine already.

[–] DemBoSain@midwest.social 9 points 1 year ago

I have a charging station I use. I don't want or need another charger.

Also, please stop selling me micro-SD to Full-SD adapters. I have a box of them I already don't need.

[–] user224@lemmy.sdf.org 5 points 1 year ago

Maybe once all devices just settle on PD rather than a billion different proprietary protocols for fast charging some of which even require non-standard cables (e.g.: Xiaomi TurboCharge).

[–] GreenEngineering3475@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

This guys a fucking idiot. And in my opinion, his whole own your accessory game is about collecting affiliate revenue from recommending third-party chargers.

He has written multiple "articles with promoted picks" recommending phone cases and screen protectors for $800 USD or above phone, just looking to add third party chargers to that list.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 1 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I glossed over it. I'm not really sure what their position, but I don't think any devices should come with USB-C chargers.

They're not going to throw in nice ones, they're going to throw in cheap junk.

When I got my Steam Deck I was super disappointed that it came with a USBC charger with the cable that was fixed to the power brick and only 3 feet long. So it's basically useless. I already have a dozen 45W+ chargers with multiple charging ports and A/C. I already have some really nice 10 foot braided cables that actually reach where I need them to. That charging brick is still sitting in it's box.

[–] stardust@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 year ago

It's my only charger other than my iPad that delivers a high wattage, so I use it and happy for it.

[–] sleepydragn1@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I think I must be you, but from an alternate, worse reality, since I'm in the exact opposite scenario.

I recently purchased a Steam Deck and a little while after that, a new phone, and currently the Steam Deck charger is only fast charger I have in my home (since I didn't really have any devices that required them before). This sucks, since now I need to purchase at least two USB-C PD adapters since I need two different chargers for the phone. Obviously this isn't an insurmountable obstacle, but it definitely would've been nice to have at least one included with the phone.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 0 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

This sucks...since I need two different chargers for the phone.

...why do you need 2 chargers?

Have you never owned a laptop before? Have you never owned a PD charging phone before? Will you never own them again?

it definitely would've been nice to have at least one included with the phone.

If they included one with the phone, it would have been cheap crap that only served to charge the phone. Buy a nicer, more universal one, and then never buy one again. Or be like me and buy a handful of them to leave all over the house.

[–] sleepydragn1@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

…why do you need 2 chargers?

One for my desk, the other for my bedside. I could keep carrying them back and forth, but that's a bit annoying, yeah?

Have you never owned a laptop before? Have you never owned a PD charging phone before?

Not really? I have an old as fuck laptop with a power brick, and previously owned a Pixel 4a, which does have PD, but only up to 18W.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

One for my desk, the other for my bedside.

Sorry, you specifically said 2 different chargers, so I thought you had some misconception about how USB-PD works.

You skipped the last question. In 10 years or whatever, when you buy another new phone/laptop/literally any electronic device, you'll be able to charge it with the same charger you already have and won't have another one filling up your drawers like I do.

Also didn't reply to the bit about having an actually good and useful charger. When I bought my laptop, I threw the included one in the drawer and bought another one anyway that can be used to charge my phone and/or other devices. I even have one that looks like a normal charger but is actually a dock to connect a second monitor.

[–] sleepydragn1@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I want to preface this by saying that I just wanted to share my own experience and point out that not everybody is in the same situation you're in. You're treating this like we're having a debate, and I don't really know why.

You skipped the last question. In 10 years or whatever, when you buy another new phone/laptop/literally any electronic device, you’ll be able to charge it with the same charger you already have and won’t have another one filling up your drawers like I do.

Well, maybe? Considering I only buy phones every 4 or so years, it's not impossible by that point I'll need an entirely different charger to get maximum charging speed. Either way, I currently only have the Steam Deck charger, so I'll need to purchase some.

Also didn’t reply to the bit about having an actually good and useful charger.

We're veering into the realm of the hypothetical since most phone manufacturers don't include chargers any more, but certainly at least some manufacturers would include full speed chargers with their phones if that was still the trend. I know OnePlus already does, at least for some models?

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org -1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

not everybody is in the same situation you're in

The vast majority of people are.

You're treating this like we're having a debate, and I don't really know why.

Because I said they shouldn't be included and detailed why, and you disagreed 🤷

it's not impossible by that point I'll need an entirely different charger to get maximum charging speed.

It is extremely unlikely that your new phone would consume more power than your "old as fuck" laptop or your Steam Deck charger. It is, however, extremely likely that your new faster-charging phone would require a faster charger than your previous phone would include.

We're veering into the realm of the hypothetical

Yes and no. If they were required to, it's very likely they would continue doing what they have been doing for decades.

It really seems like you're trying to plead the case for very obscure use-cases and not living in reality.