How to charge the iPhone when planning a trip to Laos

A guide showing you how to charge your iPhone from a Lao power outlet using a USB 30 pin Apple connector with a Type C power adapter, how to recharge the iPhone using a 2 pinned Type E power plug and charging the iPhone using a Type F USB adapter

Lao power outlet

Varying different combinations of standards and plugs can often cause confusion when planning to visit a different country, especially if you've never visited before. With only a handful of different types of common standards used throughout the world this article shows exactly what to pick up in advance to power the iPhone in Laos. These instructions were written to stop you worrying if you'll be able to charge the iPhone when you are visiting Laos.When you're visiting Laos these instructions show how to power the iPhone using the standard Type F, C or E 230 volt 50Hz power outlets. Most power sockets will change depending on which area you taking a trip to so we recommend reading the WikiConnections travel power connections page where you'll find a complete list of regions. When you are visiting Laos from a different region please ensure your iPhone can be used with a 240 volt supply. If the iPhone was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) make sure that the iPhone is dual-voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional power converter to avoid the device from overheating when charging it.

This page details the iPhone 1st generation, the original iPhone is missing some features which have since been introduced to more recent iPhones. Visit the Apple category page for a full range of Apple iPhones. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 3 or greater on the iPhone.

Charging the iPhone in Laos

Can the iPhone be used in Laos?

You can use the iPhone in Laos by using the correct power convertor.

What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPhone in Laos?

If travelling to more than one country then the best international travel charger for Laos is a multiple USB port adapter which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Laos use three different standards of power outlets (F, C and E) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type C. Because these types of chargers come with interchangeable pins and handle 100 volts to 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa simply by switching the included heads over. If your iPhone supports Fast Charge (not all USB devices can) then you'll benefit from much faster charging times with one of these types of USB travel chargers along with additional compatibility with certain power demanding devices like tablets.

Unlike other chargers this means you can power multiple devices at the same time without needing to bring individual power chargers. Because you are only needing to bring a single travel charger will keep the overall size and weight down, making it perfect to fold up and store in hand luggage as well as being convenient for recharging your iPhone at the airport or on a plane. Because of their flexibility these types of travel chargers can be used back at home so when you’re not travelling they can sit overnight charging multiple phones and tablets without using up an additional power outlet.

For those travelling to different continents we recommend buying this type of flexible power adapter at your preferred electronics retailer. The multipurpose travel charger illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous countries on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for Laos

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world who only have USB devices such as the iPhone, but for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which can be necessary for visitors of regions with unstable power supplies. These travel adapters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular compact power adapter for travellers originating from America going to Laos.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers from America using type B plugs. This is a much cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with one less AC outlet at almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers a flexible 5 USB charging ports. This versatile power strip is compatible with both American plugs and popular plug types A, D,E/F, G, H, I, L and N making it suitable for most travellers from around the world visiting Laos. [9] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPhone in Laos?

How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your iPhone from a Lao power outlet

A guide showing you how to charge your iPhone from a Lao power outlet using a USB 30 pin Apple connector with a Type C power adapter.

  1. In order to charge your iPhone using a Lao power outlet you'll need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (usually already included with your device by Apple).
  2. Begin by taking the Type C USB power plug adapter and plugging it in the wall outlet. The power supply (called the Europlug) can be identified by the 2 holes adjacent to each other where the live and neutral pins sit.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the USB mains adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone. The iPhone dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone.
  4. Switch on the Lao power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of the iPhone screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the mobile is recharging taking around 60-240 minutes to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your iPhone from a Lao power outlet

How to use a Type E power charger for recharging your iPhone from a Lao power outlet

Instructions showing how to power your iPhone with a Lao power outlet with an Apple USB 30-pin cable and a two pinned Type E USB charger.

  1. If you want to charge the iPhone using a Lao power outlet you will need to use a Type E USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (typically already supplied with your device by Apple).
  2. Start by taking the Type E USB power plug adapter and inserting it in the power outlet. This recessed circular power supply can be recognised by the two holes 19mm adjacent to each other where the twin pins sit and a single long metal earth pin protruding the top forming a triangle configuration.
  3. Then connect one end of the cord into the mains USB charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone. The iPhone dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone.
  4. Turn on the Lao power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of your phone will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone is powering up, typically taking roughly 1-4 hours to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type E power charger for recharging your iPhone from a Lao power outlet

Powering the iPhone with a Lao power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

Using a USB 30-pin Apple connector with a Type F power adapter to charge the iPhone from a Lao power outlet.

  1. In order to power the iPhone using the Lao power outlet you'll need a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - the cable is typically included with the iPhone by Apple.
  2. Firstly you'll need to insert the Type F USB power plug adapter into the Lao power outlet. You can identify the plug outlet by two 4.8mm circular adjacent holes, plus a pair of two grounding clips above and below.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the USB mains adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone. The iPhone dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone.
  4. Switch on the Lao power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the iPhone will display a charge icon to indicate that the phone is charging and takes roughly 60-240 minutes to completely recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone with a Lao power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia.org entry about Laos
  2. Apple - the original iPhone product manual
  3. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  4. Type C USB power plug adapter - Conforming to Europlug specifications, the Type C USB power plug adapter incorporates two 4 mm rounded pins spaced 19 mm apart. It is engineered to adapt electrical outlets commonly found in Europe, converting them to USB-compatible charging ports..
  5. USB to Apple 30 pin cable - This connects compatible iPhones, iPods and iPads to a USB port for charging, syncing and playing music.
  6. iec.ch - Type E power outlet
  7. Type E USB power plug adapter - Meeting CEE 7/5 and CEE 7/6 standards, the Type E USB power plug adapter uses the Schuko standard with two round pins and an earthing hole. It adapts European outlets such as Germany to USB-standard ports for USB device charging..
  8. iec.ch - Type F power outlet
  9. 4 Port USB Wall Charger - A 4-port USB wall charger is an electrical device that provides simultaneous charging for up to four USB-compatible devices. It often includes interchangeable international plug adapters for global use..