Phone chargers hold less than advertised power

Portable mobile phone chargers provide less power than the manufacturers claim, the Korea Consumer Agency (KCA) said on Monday.

The actual capacity of the 16 chargers tested by the KCA only reached an average 69 percent of the advertised level. The survey included well-known brands such as Sony, Xiaomi, Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics.

In the large capacity category involving eight models, a power pack developed by manufacturer Allo Korea had the lowest fulfillment rate of 58 percent compared compared to the advertised capacity. The allo2000A model recorded 6,054 mAh despite a claimed capacity of 10,400.

In contrast, the best-performing units included products by Samsung Electronics and Xiaomi, although none reached 100 percent of the advertised power.

Samsung’s EB-PN915BGK model had 69 percent of the claimed level of 11,300 mAh while Xiaomi’s NDY-02-AD product had 66 percent.

LG Electronics, Sony, Galaxy Korea, Onan Korea were in the mid range of performance, providing between 62 percent and 64 percent of stated power. Of another eight models in the lower capacity, the worst performer was LG Electronics, whose BP405BB model delivered 60 percent of the advertised 5,200.

Samsung Electronics and Xiomi topped the low-range list as their models EB-PG900B by Samsung and NDY-02-AM reached 68 percent.

Iriver, a local audio and mobile device maker, was second best in the low category. The company’s EUB-5000 provided 67 percent of the total capacity of 5,000 mAh, followed by Allo Korea’s allo300S, at 66 percent.

The consumer rights agency also tested how well they maintain the initial capacity over time by charging and discharging the packs 300 times.

In the low capacity category, Sony’s CP-V5 and Iriver’s EUB-5000 held their charge more than 98 percent.

BY PARK EUN-JEE [park.eunjee@joongang.co.kr]