Accessories for your iPhone are a dime a dozen. In fact, the market is so saturated that it’s SO easy to break your budget on gadgets designed to enhance your smart phone experience without gaining a true understanding of which are worth the money. Before you spend another dime on yet another pair of ear pods or charging accessories, know what NOT to spend your money on: this is the worst type of iPhone accessory to use because it zaps your phone’s battery, according to tech experts.
Non-MFI-Certified Charging Cables
The cost of accessories can add up and most people would jump at the chance to save some money. But there’s one place you shouldn’t skimp: your phone’s charging cables. Quality cables can charge your phone the way it’s meant to be charged, which means protecting your phone battery and ensuring it stands the test of time. But the wrong cables can have the opposite effect on your phone’s battery.
“The worst iPhone accessory type is a low-quality, non-MFi-certified charging cable,” says Peter Zendzian, the president of ZZ Servers. “MFi (Made For iPhones) charging cables are made according to Apple’s strict guidelines on safety and quality. These cables are tested by Apple and have met its standards for electrical, mechanical, and functional performance. MFi-certified cables work reliably with iPhones while ensuring that your phone will not be damaged and also protects from electrical shocks. This danger persists if someone uses an alternative charger for their iPhone that is not certified.”
This also decreases the life of their phone by damaging its battery and reducing its peak performance capacity, Zendzian notes. “Therefore, it is crucial to use only original and certified charging cables to ensure your phone’s longevity and best performance,” he says.
Because low-quality cables are sometimes not built to correctly regulate the electrical current going into your phone, they might hasten the degradation of your phone’s battery, agrees Shanal Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at TechAhead. “This might cause your phone’s battery life to diminish, charging periods to lengthen, and even internal components to be damaged,” Aggarwal says. “I think it’s risky to use a charging cable or power adapter that hasn’t been officially approved by the manufacturer. For this reason, only use Apple- or similarly-approved charging cables of excellent quality.”
To protect your iPhone’s battery and other components from being overcharged or discharged, Aggarwal says these cords have been engineered to function exclusively with your device. And even though you’ll spend a little more, it will be worth the cost at the end of the day. “These may cost more than other options, but they are well worth it to ensure your phone’s continued functionality and longevity,” Aggarwal says.
