28-01-2021 01:58 PM - last edited 28-01-2021 04:52 PM
We’ve been noticing a lot of conversation in our Community about power, battery and charging on the S21 family devices, so wanted to consolidate a quick guide for you to help you with your questions!
What data/power cable comes with the S21, S21+ or S21 Ultra?
You’ll get a USB-C to USB-C cable in the box with your S21, S21+ or S21 Ultra that you can use for wired data transfer or to power your phone with a Samsung power adapter (sold separately).
What power adapter (power brick/travel adapter/charger block) should be used with the S21, S21+ or S21 Ultra?
We recommend that you use a 25W USB-C Samsung Power Adapter (that block that goes into the mains) with your S21 device. This will allow you to benefit from Super-Fast charging with your phone to keep you going. You can use a compatible Samsung charger from a previous device, or can buy the adapter separately (as you know, it does not come in the box).
Do the S21, S21+ or S21 Ultra support wireless charging?
You can use Qi wireless charging to power your device with a wireless charger (sold separately) or can turn your new phone into a wireless charging pad to charge other compatible devices by using the Wireless Powershare feature.
Helpful power, battery and charging specifications
|
Galaxy S21 |
Galaxy S21+ |
Galaxy S21 Ultra |
Battery capacity |
4,000 mAh |
4,800mAh |
5,000mAh |
Data/power cable (included in the box) |
USB-C to USB-C cable |
||
Power adapter (sold separately) |
USB-C power adapter |
||
Wireless Charging |
Yes, using Qi wireless charging standard |
||
Wireless PowerShare |
Yes |
||
Wired Charging Speed |
Super-Fast Charging with Samsung charger that supports this (25W USB-C) |
||
Compatible Samsung power adaptor (sold separately) |
Up to 25W |
Will my 45W charger work with the S21 devices?
A Samsung 45W USB-C power charger will charge the S21 super fast using up to 25W. To achieve super-fast charging speeds it must be connected usb-c to usb-c.
The charger defines the maximum amount of power that it can draw but the device will define how much is actually drawn to the device.
Is there a 45W charger available for the S21 series?
With the enhancements to our charging technology, we no longer see the benefit of 45W chargers and are able to deliver super-fast charging with 25W chargers.
Do you have more power, battery or charging questions, please post in the below!
28-01-2021 07:27 PM in
29-01-2021 01:26 PM in
Actually I just received my S21 today and I did not know a power adapter was not supplied with the phone.
Considering is a c type adapter as well and that I have paid a lot of money for the phone, to not have a charger with it is quite insulting. I am considering returning it.
29-01-2021 01:43 PM in
It doesn't make much sense does it. I knew it would come without a charger, but what I wasn't prepared for, having about 3 other samsung chargers is that they all have standard USB ports, but the charger for the s21 is obviously USB - C to USB - C, however the buds live charging cable & my samsung watch 3 have USB - C to USB standard cables, so I can plug them in fine, but now need a separate plug to charge the phone or buy an adaptor for an old charger that works fine, all this to save putting a charger in the packaging with a premium phone worth more than the laptop I'm typing this on...
29-01-2021 01:50 PM in
Agreed. I have a samsung watch too so its even more annoying. I have had samsungs for years and have always been happy with them. Now I cannot even use my phone because I have to find a charger. The phone cost far more than my samsung watch and tablet, its ridiculous.
29-01-2021 01:52 PM in
I have a few questions regarding this : (I did an earlier rant but trying to be more concise here) :
Upgrading from an S9, I have a few fast chargers, I don't need to take advantage of the fastest charging ever, in all honestly most of the time outside of covid my phone is always charged via a USB port in the car, very rarely plugged into the mains at home. Now that the charging cable is USB - C to USC - C, I either need to buy a USB-C - USB-C adaptor, or use a cable from an old phone when in the car, and/or buy another adapter to charge at home, seems a bit unreasonable to make me buy another plug when you have changed the charger cable.
Is there any harm to charging the phone in this way, with a USB - C to USB Standard cable? I just don't see why the change to have USB -C on both ends of the cable, especially when the buds live and watch 3 come with cables that are the traditional USB - C to Standard, especially if you believe the press release that this is in the name of reducing waste because "everyone already has a plug" which absolutely isn't the case.
To summise, really what I'm asking is, is there any benefit to buying usb-c adaptors other than faster charging, or can I just make do with older usb - usb-c cables / adaptors, and why have you implemented this headache on long term samsung customers? Not so much a whinge as a genuine question. And yes, this post didn't end up being concise at all..
29-01-2021 02:09 PM in
Presuming your last phone was an S8 or newer you should still be able to use the old charger I think, it's just the new charging cable that isn't compatible with older plugs, but the older plugs / chargers (as long as one end is usb c) should work fine with the actual phone, it just might not be as quick as charging. I did ask for clarification below as to whether that could cause problems but I can't really see why it would. I charge my phones from a usb socket in the car mostly so either way I need an adaptor if I were to use the out the box cable, which when you think how many plugs/sockets etc have a standard usb socket installed, makes this change in cable really silly.
29-01-2021 02:13 PM in
Both standards are 4000 mAh so in theory should be similar unless something on the S21 has a noticeably bigger drain on the battery which I think would be unlikely. I'm not affiliated with Samsung, I came here to moan about the charging cable, but that is my understanding - both are the same size battery.
29-01-2021 02:25 PM in
29-01-2021 02:26 PM in