The world truly is your oyster when it comes to Apple products — both devices and accessories. From chargers to ear buds, there is pretty much an Apple gadget for every tech need you have. But in addition to standing out for its inventory, Apple is known for its prices. Apple products can be a real investment so before you buy, it’s worth noting which accessories are worth your time and money and which you should forego. Tech experts agree: this is the one cheap iPhone accessory you have to stop buying immediately.
Non Apple Chargers
Experts are split on the one Apple accessory that doesn’t deserve your investment. Depending on your needs and tech desires, ear buds may be a waste of money, while others may feel like they can get Apple Watch bands for much cheaper elsewhere. But there’s one thing many experts do agree on: off-brand iPhone accessories are usually a waste of money, and one that can even be detrimental to the health of your device.
“When we were traveling a few weekends ago I realized that I had left my iPhone charger at home, so I thought I would buy a replacement,” shares Tech Expert Graeme Messina at IT Blog Pros. “Unfortunately there were no iStores close by, so I had to settle for a cheap ‘compatible’ brand. Other than the charger plug feeling a little loose, it seemed to charge my phone just fine. However, even though my iPhone was registering a full charge I was noticing that it was getting quite hot when charging, and during our outings during the day I was getting significantly less battery life after a few days. Upon returning home I ran both chargers through an amp meter and I noticed a significant difference between the two chargers.”
Messina warns iPhone users not to be fooled thinking all chargers are the same. “The iPhone charger was delivering a solid 2.2 amps, while the cheap replacement was delivering nearly 3 amps, even though the unit said that it was a 2 amp device,” Messina says. “The power delivery also seemed a little erratic and it never really stayed consistent while I was testing.”
Messina’s message is clear: “Don’t buy non-Apple chargers for your iPhone as it will affect performance and battery life over time,” Messina says.
Bottom line: no matter how many debates you’ll have with friends over which Apple accessories you absolutely don’t need, an Apple or Apple-certified charger is not one of them.
