I Tested the Note 4's Adaptive Fast Charge Adapter (and It Passed)

[StrexCorp Conner]

Quick thanks to user Gala for this thread which inspired this little experiment.

Disclaimer: Many more variables go into charging from 0% to 100%. For one, the charge rate will NOT remain constant. This is why I took the average of the min/max data. It is the most accurate data I can come up with using the tools I have.

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Have you ever wondered what exactly Samsung was doing with that fancy 2amp charger for its Note 4? No? Same! But my curiosity piqued when I questioned the actual merits of its implementation. So I ran some tests using the Ampere application from Google Play.

 

And I found some interesting results:

 

 

TESTING

 

 

Above, I charged my phone while it was on Airplane mode with the included cable and Adaptive Fast Charge adapter.

It saw a max of 1040 mA and a minimum of 1000 mA.

 

We'll call that 1020 mA and say this configuration would take around 3.16 hours to charge from 0% to 100% (3220 mA battery / 1020 mA per hour = 3.16...)

 

 

Above, I charged my phone while it was on Airplane mode with the included cable and a spare Galaxy S4 adapter.

It saw a max of 1010 mA and a minimum of 930 mA.

 

We'll call that 970 mA and say this configuration would take around 3.32 hours to charge from 0% to 100% (3220 mA battery / 970 mA per hour = 3.32...)

 

 

"Well StrexCorp Conner," I hear you cry, "This looks like some Samsung marketing BS! That change is negligible!"

Why yes, diligent reader, it is. However, I did another test:

 

I configured my phone how I always have it when I charge. WiFi connected to my home network, Bluetooth connected to my Pebble, and Multi-Window on (I always have it on, I'm a multitasking junkie). The results were drastically different.

 

 

Above, I charged my phone with the settings listed on and with the included cable and Adaptive Fast Charge adapter.

It saw a max of 1020 mA and a minimum of 950 mA.

 

We'll call that 985 mA and say this configuration would take around 3.27 hours to charge from 0% to 100% (You know the drill by now).

 

These results show that the Adaptive Fast Charger is STILL doing better than the S4 adapter. Well wait until you see how the other guy looks...

 

 

Above, I charged my phone with the settings listed on and with the included cable and a spare Galaxy S4 adapter.

It saw a max of 930 mA and a minimum of just 680 mA.

 

We'll call this 805 mA and say this configuration would take around 4 hours to charge from 0% to 100%

 

These results show that the smaller adapter struggles to keep up while the phone is under load, while the larger one seems to do just fine.

Perfect for when you need a quick couple of percentage points before you go out.

 

 

CONCLUSION

 

As stated before the Introduction, the charge rate will fluctuate and these times will change. This is why I suspect that the Adaptive Fast Charge Adapter will actually always perform better than the S4 adapter. The min/max range was much smaller and the rates were much more consistent. The S4 adapter ranged far too much to get a consistent charge rate.

 

Obviously, this is not the most thorough investigation of the accessory, but if enough demand surmounts, I will attempt to study the adapter more using many more test conditions and conducting many more tests against many other types of adapters. This is just the result of a quiet afternoon and I thought you guys would enjoy seeing the results.

 

 

TL;DR Samsung didn't lie. The Adaptive Fast Charge adapter works on the Galaxy Note 4.

[Mew]

Your estimate for how long it takes to charge to 100% doesn't include the fact that most phones trickle charge that last 10/20% to preserve battery health.

[StrexCorp Conner]

Your estimate for how long it takes to charge to 100% doesn't include the fact that most phones trickle charge that last 10/20% to preserve battery health.

 

Hmm. Good point.

I wish I would have had time to do an actual 0%-100% test for each, unfortunately I don't at the moment. I will most likely revisit the concept as I can, timing an actual 0-100 for each scenario.

 

This quick trial can serve as a proof-of-concept I suppose.