Charging the iPhone 4 when visiting Greece

A guide showing you how to recharge your iPhone 4 from a Greek power outlet by using an Apple USB 30-pin cable and a two pinned Type C power charger and charging the iPhone 4 using a two pin Type F USB charger.

Greek power outlet

Varying complicated combinations of standards and plugs can all be confusing when planning to travel to another country especially to the first time traveller. However this isn't as complex as it appears, with only a handful of different types of plug sockets used in the world this article tells you exactly what to buy in advance to charge the iPhone 4 . The following step by step guide will show you exactly how to charge your iPhone 4 when you are visiting Greece using their standard types F or C 230 volt 50Hz power outlets, Type F plug outlets will be normally used by most Greeks. When travelling to Greece from another country double check the iPhone 4 can be charged using a 240v supply. If it originated in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110 volts) check your iPhone 4 is dual voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional voltage converter to prevent the device from overloading when charging it. If you're planning on staying at a tourist destination such as Athens please refer to the Greece Wikipedia web page [1] for more indepth details. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 4.

Charging the iPhone 4 in Greece

Can you use the iPhone 4 in Greece?

Yes, you can connect the iPhone 4 to a Greek power outlet.

What is the best travel adapter for the iPhone 4 in Greece?

If you are travelling with more than just your iPhone 4 the best travel power adapter for Greece to buy is a multiple USB charger which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Greeks use two different types of plug sockets (types F and C) and using a power charger like this will ensure that you are covered for type C.

Because these chargers come with interchangeable plugs and handle 100 to 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa simply by switching the included heads. If your iPhone 4 can support Fast Charge (not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from quicker recharging times by using one of these types of power adapters, plus compatibility with more power demanding devices.

Unlike other travel adapters this means you can power more than one device at the same time without needing to buy seperate power adapters on your Greek trip. By only bringing a single international USB travel charger will help keep the weight and size down, making it ideal to store in hand baggage whilst travelling as well as being on hand for recharging your iPhone 4 at the airport or on a plane. Because of their flexibility these types of power chargers can be used when back at home not just abroad so when you’re not travelling they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple tablets, smartphones and e-readers and using only a single wall outlet.

We recommend searching for this type of flexible power adapter at your preferred electronics retailer; the multipurpose power charger illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for Greece

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country who only have USB devices such as the iPhone 4, however for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power strips offer surge protection which is necessary when visiting regions with unstable power supplies. These travel adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both Greece and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular portable option for travellers originating from North America visiting Greece.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from the US 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 generous 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 Greece. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for the iPhone 4 in Greece?

Powering the iPhone 4 with a Greek power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Using the Apple 30-pin cable and a two pin Type C USB charger to power the iPhone 4 with a Greek power outlet.

  1. In order to supply power to the iPhone 4 from the Greek power outlet you will need a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], Apple normally supply this USB cable when you purchase the iPhone 4.
  2. Start the process by taking the Type C USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the Greek power outlet. The wall supply (sometimes known as a Type C power outlet [3] or Europlug) is recognised by two round holes next to each other.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the USB adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 4. The iPhone 4 dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone 4.
  4. Turn on the Greek power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of your mobile will display a charging icon to indicate that the phone is powering up which typically takes between 60 to 240 minutes to completely recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 4 with a Greek power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

How to use a Schuko Type F power charger for charging your iPhone 4 from a Greek power outlet

A guide showing you how to power your iPhone 4 with a Greek power outlet with an Apple USB 30-pin connector and a Type F power charger.

  1. In order to charge the iPhone 4 using the Greek power outlet you'll need to buy a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], typically already included with your device by Apple.
  2. Begin the process by inserting the Type F USB power plug adapter into the power outlet. The recessed circular wall supply, sometimes known as a Schuko plug or Type F power outlet [6], can be identified by two 4.8mm adjacent holes next to each other for live and neutral pins and 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 charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 4. The iPhone 4 dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone 4.
  4. Turn on the Greek power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the phone screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone 4 is charging, typically taking roughly one-four hours to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Schuko Type F power charger for charging your iPhone 4 from a Greek power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Greece Wikipedia web page
  2. Apple - official iPhone user guide
  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 F power outlet
  7. Type F USB power plug adapter - Compliant with Europlugs and CEE 7/17 specifications, the Type F or Schuko adapter is engineered to adapt German electrical power outlets into USB-compatible ports..
  8. 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..