How to charge the iPad Mini when staying in Samoa

A step-by-step guide showing you how to charge the iPad Mini with a Samoan power outlet by using a USB Lightning cable with a 3 pinned Type I USB adapter.

Samoan power outlet

Different combinations of voltages and standards can all be daunting when planning on travelling to another country especially for the first time traveller. These instructions were written to prevent you worrying if you'll be able to charge the iPad Mini when you're going abroad.When visiting Samoa the following instructions show powering your iPad Mini using their 230 volt 50Hz I Type power outlet. When you are visiting Samoa from a different country check your iPad Mini can be used with a 240v supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) check your device is dual-voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional transformer to stop the device from overheating when charging it. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Mini.

Charging the iPad Mini in Samoa

Can the iPad Mini be used in Samoa?

You can connect the iPad Mini to a Samoan power outlet by using a power convertor.

What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPad Mini in Samoa?

When you are travelling with more than just your iPad Mini or visiting multiple countries then the best international travel power adapter for Samoa to buy is a multiple USB port adapter which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger.

As these types of chargers come with interchangeable plugs and can handle from 100 volts to 240 volts will mean that you can travel to over 100 countries in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa just by changing the supplied heads over. If your model of iPad Mini can support Fast Charge (please note that not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from much faster recharging times by using one of these types of USB travel adapters, along with additional compatibility with more power hungry devices like tablets.

Unlike other travel adapters this will also allow you to recharge more than one device at the same time without needing to bring multiple travel adapters on your trip to Samoa or occupying additional power outlets. By only needing to pack a single international USB travel charger will also keep the overall size and weight down, making it ideal to fold up in hand luggage whilst travelling and suitable for recharging your iPad Mini at the airport or on the plane. Because of their space saving versatility these types of power chargers can be used at home as well as abroad so when you’re not travelling they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple smartphones and tablets without using up an additional power outlet.

If you travel on a regular basis we recommend searching for this type of versatile travel adapter online - the multipurpose travel adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for recharging multiple USB devices in numerous different countries around the world with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Samoa

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country who only have USB devices such as the iPad Mini, however for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power converters offer surge protection which can be useful for visitors of counties with unreliable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected appliances from voltage spikes. These power adapters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Continental Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling portable power converter for travellers originating from America visiting Samoa.
  • 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 from the US using type B plugs and is a more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with only one less AC outlet for almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers 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 ideal for most travellers from around the world visiting Samoa. [6] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPad Mini in Samoa?

How to use a Type I power charger for charging your iPad Mini from a Samoan power outlet

A step-by-step guide showing you how to charge the iPad Mini with a Samoan power outlet by using a USB Lightning cable with a 3 pinned Type I USB adapter.

  1. If you want to power your iPad Mini using a Samoan power outlet you will need to buy a Type I USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - Apple will typically include the USB cable with your iPad Mini.
  2. Begin by inserting the Type I USB power plug adapter in the Samoan power outlet. The power outlet, technically known as the Type I power outlet [3], can be recognised by the three thin slots forming a triangular shape with a single vertical pin at the bottom and the top pair of slots sloping upwards for the live, neutral and earth blades.
  3. Connect one end of the Apple USB Lightning power cable into the bottom of the mains USB adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector is situated at the bottom of the iPad Mini.
  4. Turn on the Samoan power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of your tablet screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is powering up which takes around 1 to 4 hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type I power charger for charging your iPad Mini from a Samoan power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Samoa country Wikipedia page
  2. Apple - official iPad user guide
  3. iec.ch - Type I power outlet
  4. 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.
  5. USB to Apple Lightning cable - The Apple Lightning cable is a charging and syncing cable for more recent Apple devices and connects compatible iPhones and iPads to a USB port.
  6. 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..