The iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR all support fast wireless charging, just like their predecessors. But when you buy one of Apple’s 2018 iPhones, you only get a 5W charger in the box, which can’t be used to charge the phones at the fastest possible speed. 

At $29 a pop, the 18W USB-C Power Adapter should be a welcome addition to your roster of phone chargers. 

Question: I've found a much cheaper charger - should I take the risk and buy it?

If your charger is not from Apple, an Android company, or a trusted third party, you could risk damage, injury and even death.

Here are a few tell-tale signs to look out for:

Instructions - legitimate chargers should come with instructions including basic electrical safety advice and a guide on how to use the charger safely.

Safety mark – This should sit between the two bottom pins on the underside of the charger.

The colour of the writing on the base of the plug may also be dark grey on counterfeits, while on real Apple products it will be light grey.

Check for the CE safety marking, though be aware that this can easily be forged, and look for the manufacturer’s brand name or logo, model and batch number.

Weight – Genuine chargers tend to weigh more than their fake counterparts, due to the higher number of components. If you have access to some scales, using the real model to compare.

USB socket – On dodgy chargers this may be upside down when compared to a genuine iPhone charger. Check which way the USB socket is positioned when the plug is on its back.

The finish – The pins on a real charger will have a matt finish, and be a consistent colour and finish as well as having a uniform square appearance. 

Please note:

This USB Power Adapter has fixed prongs designed for use in the different Countries standards.

The a and c imitated from Apple US standard, the b is an original adapter in China

Look out for a shiny or gloss finish, plus pins that are irregular in size or shape.