Charging your Samsung Galaxy S4 from a power outlet in China

Instructions showing how to charge your Samsung Galaxy S4 with a Chinese power outlet with USB Micro type B cord with a Type I power adapter, recharging a Samsung Galaxy S4 using a Type A USB charger and how to power a Samsung Galaxy S4 using a Type C Europlug power adapter

Chinese power outlet

Varying complicated voltages and plugs can often be confusing when planning to stay in a new country, especially to the first time traveller. This isn't as complicated as it appears, with only a handful of different types of sockets used throughout the world this guide tells you exactly what you'll need to buy in advance to charge the Samsung Galaxy S4 . This page contains instructions demonstrating what you'll need to power your Samsung Galaxy S4 when travelling to China using the standard I, A or C type Chinese 220 volt 50Hz power outlets, you'll find a majority of Chinese typically use Type I power outlets. You'll discover power sockets vary depending on which area you are travelling to so please read the power supplies list for a complete list of regions and countries. When you are travelling to China from another country ensure that your Samsung Galaxy S4 can accept a 240 volt supply. If your Samsung Galaxy S4 was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110 volts) make sure your Samsung Galaxy S4 is dual-voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional converter to prevent the device from overheating whilst powering it. If you intend on travelling to a Chinese city like Shanghai or Guangzhou please refer to the Chinese Wikipedia web page [1] for more indepth information.

Refer to the Samsung Galaxy S4 instruction manual [2] for more details on the operation of the mobile phone and visit the Galaxy page for more phones by Samsung which can connect to the Chinese power outlet.

Charging a Samsung Galaxy S4 in China

Can the Samsung Galaxy S4 be used in China?

Yes, you can connect a Samsung Galaxy S4 to a Chinese power outlet by using the correct power convertor.

What is the best travel charger for recharging a Samsung Galaxy S4 in China?

If you are travelling with more than just your Samsung Galaxy S4 the best travel charger for China to buy is a multiple USB adapter which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Chinese use three different types of power outlets (types I, A and C) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for both types A and C.

Because these chargers come with interchangeable pins and can handle 100 to 240 volts will mean you can travel to multiple countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa simply by changing the heads over. If your type of Samsung Galaxy S4 is compatible with Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much quicker charging times by using one of these USB power chargers, plus additional support for certain power hungry devices.

This means you can recharge more than one device at once without needing to bring seperate travel chargers for your Chinese trip. By only packing a single USB travel charger will help keep the overall weight and size down, making it perfect to store in hand luggage and on hand for recharging your Samsung Galaxy S4 at an airport or on your flight. Due to their versatility these types of chargers can be used when back at home as well as abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple tablets, smartphones and e-readers using only a single power outlet.

We recommend buying this type of versatile power charger at your preferred electronics retailer. The multipurpose travel charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for China

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to charge devices using USB, but for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power converters offer surge protection which is necessary for travellers to counties with unreliable power grids to prevent damage to any connected appliances. These power converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Europe, America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling compact option for travellers originating from America going to China.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from America using type B plugs. This is a much more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with just one less AC outlet at almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers a more 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 perfect for a majority of travellers from around the world visiting China. [10] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for recharging a Samsung Galaxy S4 in China?

How to use a Type A power charger for charging your Samsung Galaxy S4 from a Chinese power outlet

A page showing how to charge your Samsung Galaxy S4 with a Chinese power outlet with micro USB Type B cord with a three pin Type A power adapter.

  1. In order to supply power to the Samsung Galaxy S4 using the Chinese power outlet you'll need a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [5].
  2. Start by plugging the Type A USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. You can identify the wall outlet by two adjacent slots where the plug outlet blades slide into.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the USB Type B connector into the bottom of the USB power adapter and the other end into the multipurpose jack on a Samsung Galaxy S4. You can find the USB jack on the base of the Samsung located underneath the Home button.
  4. Switch on the Chinese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which is found in the top corner of the Samsung Galaxy S4 display will show a charging icon with to indicate that the device is charging.
  6. If you are using the Samsung Galaxy S4 while charging it may take longer to completely charge the battery. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for charging your Samsung Galaxy S4 from a Chinese power outlet

Powering a Samsung Galaxy S4 with a Chinese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Using type B USB Micro cable and a Type C Europlug power charger to charge your Samsung Galaxy S4 with a Chinese power outlet.

  1. To charge a Samsung Galaxy S4 from the Chinese power outlet you will need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [5].
  2. Firstly plug the Type C USB power plug adapter in the Chinese power outlet. The power supply (known as a Europlug) can be recognised by 2 round holes adjacent to each other where the live and neutral pins slide into.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable into the mains power adapter and the other end into the multipurpose jack on a Samsung Galaxy S4. You will find the multipurpose jack on the base of the phone situated below the Home button.
  4. Turn on the Chinese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which is found at the top corner of the Samsung Galaxy S4 will display a charge icon with dots underneath to indicate that the device is charging.
  6. If you are using the phone whilst charging it will take longer to fully recharge the battery. [AD]
Powering a Samsung Galaxy S4 with a Chinese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

How to use a Type I power charger for recharging your Samsung Galaxy S4 from a Chinese power outlet

Using micro USB Type B cord with a 3 pin Type I power adapter to recharge your Samsung Galaxy S4 with a Chinese power outlet.

  1. In order to power your Samsung Galaxy S4 from a Chinese power outlet you'll need to buy a Type I USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [5].
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type I USB power plug adapter in the wall supply. This plug supply (technically called the Type I power outlet [8]) can be identified by the 3 thin slots forming an upside-down triangular configuration with a single vertical pin at the bottom and the top two slots sloping upwards for the live, neutral and ground. Please note that the live and neutral blades are reversed compared to Argentinian power outlets, please check that your Type I travel adaptor is compatible with a Chinese power supply.
  3. Plug in one end of the type B USB Micro cable into the mains power adapter and the other end into the multipurpose jack on a Samsung Galaxy S4. You will find the USB Micro connector on the foot of the Samsung situated below the Home button.
  4. Turn on the Chinese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top corner of the Samsung Galaxy S4 screen will display a charge icon with dots underneath to indicate that the device is charging.
  6. If you are using the Samsung whilst charging it will take longer to fully recharge the battery. [AD]
How to use a Type I power charger for recharging your Samsung Galaxy S4 from a Chinese power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Chinese Wikipedia web page
  2. Samsung - Samsung Galaxy S4 instruction manual
  3. iec.ch - Type A power outlet
  4. Type A USB power plug adapter - With its two-blade, ungrounded design, the Type A USB power plug adapter offers a straightforward way to convert electrical outlets in countries like the United States and Canada into USB ports for easy device charging..
  5. USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable - Used to connect USB devices which have a USB Mini-B port to computers, power supplies and other devices.
  6. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  7. 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..
  8. iec.ch - Type I power outlet
  9. Type I USB power plug adapter - Type I USB chargers use three short flat blades in a V format with the top blade acting as a grounding pin.
  10. 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..