Home Forums Peripherals & Multimedia iTunes, iPhone, iPod, iPad, Apple TV Battery Charging, Computer or AC?

What are the differences, advantages/disadvantages on charging an iPhone battery via the computer or directly via the AC adapter?

It seems to me there would be few, if any, real-world differences, but all to often, what seems right to me, just ain't so…

In a word: none. That is, as far as charging is concerned. Other than that, it's just convenience.

There is one difference convenience attendant to using the USB port on your computer, but it has nothing to do with charging. Connecting the iPhone to the USB port on your computer not only charges the iPhone it also presents an opportunity to backup the iPhone to iTunes and/or install recently downloaded new/upgraded apps as well as managing content such as tunes. Of course that can all be done via WiFi as well.

Upgrading or updating the iOS or resetting the iPhone used to require connecting to the computer via USB, but even that can now be done via WiFi with no computer involvement at all.

disadvantages of charging from your computer: More heat from your computer and its power pack. Less battery runtime. Slower charging of computer's battery. Won't charge while asleep. One less available USB port. One more cord to plug in or get tangled with something else. less portable than the little icecube in your pocket. No risk of forgetting to bring icecube or leaving it behind plugged into an outlet wherever you were. (or forgetting the iDevice itself!)

Most issues only really affect laptops.

Many thanks, guys! Indeed, quite informative.

Learning what I don't know, sometimes hurts. But not this time. Truly, I find your expertise (and even your musings) most comforting.