Yes, you can, but you shouldn’t! Can I drive my car blindfolded? Can I fire a revolver at myself? Yes, you CAN, but you shouldn’t!!


  Exaggerations aside, the expression voices similar queries like: Can I charge my iPhone using an iPad charger? Can I charge my iPad using an iPhone charger?

Can I Charge A Smartphone Using A Tablet Charger

  Generally speaking, the charger for smartphones / iPhone delivers 1000-1500 mA current at 5 V and that of a tablet / iPad delivers a 2000-2500 mA current at the same voltage. Although the USB stands for Universal Standard Bus, it is not truly ‘universal’ for all current configurations.

  Let’s consider - situation one where you are using a smartphone charger to charge a tablet. This is like forcing a kid’s tee-shirt on an adult. The tee-shirt will be overstretched and may get ripped off. Similarly here, a tablet will try to suck more resources out of the inadequate or incompatible charger, and the charger in question may get heated.

  Now, let’s consider - situation two where you are using a tablet charger to charge a smartphone. This is like feeding a kid with a tablespoon instead of a teaspoon. Here, the extra pudding which a kid is unable to accommodate in his mouth, is going waste. Similarly here, a smartphone is receiving more current than its battery circuits can carry which is going to be radiated out in the form of heat. You must have read many users saying their phones get heated when charged using tablet chargers. This is detrimental to the  battery life in the long run. Smart users have also observed that the phone gets charged up quickly and gets discharged quickly, too. Unfortunately, the spoilage that a battery suffers due to such mismatch practices is irreversible.

  The best option to charge your instrument when a custom charger is not available is through a computer USB. Although slow (500 mA at 5 V), it ensures a steady charging.

  We read companies telling us (even Apple) that one can use any USB charger for charging any USB device. No less stupefaction. Do we expect them to desire us to use their products for years? Obviously not.

  So again, to summarize: Can you make an elephant drink with a straw? Or, can you feed a puppy through a house pipeline? Yes, you can, but you SHOULDN’T!