Description: Despite what the manufacturer of your smartphone may tell you, the charger you receive in the original box is not the only charger that will work with your smartphone. In fact, there are a lot of chargers that will work, once you know the right numbers.

When replacing your charger, you need to know the following:

1. The output of the charger (the input is only important if you travel overseas).
2. The type of USB Cable that the phone requires.
   

If you have your original charger handy, take a look at the specifications on the unit. Amidst the jumble of information, there are always two sets of values listed on the charger: input and output. The output is the most important set of numbers. In the example shown, the charger has an output of 5 Volts, 1 Amp. When replacing your charger, the second number (Amps) can be higher than your original charger but not lower. If it is lower, the phone will charge very slowly or not at all. The voltage for USB type chargers should always be 5V.

If your USB cable is still functioning, then you don't need to replace it. It will plug into your new charger, and all will be well. If you need to replace the USB cable, take a look at the end that plugs into your phone. It is most likely a microUSB connection. Otherwise, you may have a miniUSB or a proprietary connection (iPhone 30 Pin connector, iPhone Lightning connector, etc.) Whichever you have, be sure to replace it with the same cable type.

The Usual Disclaimer: There are plenty of off-brand USB chargers out there that will work with your smartphone. Please be aware that you may void the manufacturer warranty by not using the OEM charger (this is in the fine print). While aftermarket chargers rarely cause damage, the warning is there nonetheless. Off-brand chargers may not always provide the same reliable power to your device. This is known as dirty or noisy power, which can affect the lifespan of the device.

Some replacement chargers may not work with all devices: for example, some Apple devices may complain that charging is not supported, either because you are not using an Apple brand cable, or the charger - cable combination is not providing the pin connections or signals that Apple expects from their approved hardware.