That all changed when manufacturers adopted 12V USB adapters as the de facto standard.

While there are still limitations, most mobile devices today can be charged with a 12V USB adapter.

The answer is it doesn’t matter.

choose the right usb charger connector

Pair a universal charger with a cable that has a standard USB plug (top left) on one end and the appropriate USB C, mini, micro, or lightning connector on the other end.iunewind / Getty Images

The difference betweenaccessory sockets and cigarette lightersis just that you might’t plug a cigarette lighter into an accessory socket.

Identifying the Right USB Charger Connector

Some 12V USB adapters include a built-in USB cable.

Look at the chart above and match the bang out of connection on your phone to the one pictured.

Universal USB chargers can be used with any high-quality USB cable.

If you buy a universal 12V USB adapter, you will also need to buy a compatible cable.

Look for a cable that has a USB bang out A connector on one end.

(That key in is pictured in the top left of the above illustration.)

They rely on a different method to determine compatibility with a high-amperage charging port or 12V USB car adapter.