In what might have come as a shock to loyal Samsung users, the flagship manufacturer has decided not to include a charger in the box for the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra.

This follows Apple’s big move of removing the charger from the iPhone 12 series onwards, forcing the consumers to use a pre-purchased charger or buy a new one.

So now you’re probably wondering what you are supposed to be looking for in a charger. We have listed just what you need to know when buying a new charger for your Samsung Galaxy S21.

Galaxy S21 Charger: How Many Watts Do You Need?

If you're switching to the Samsung Galaxy S21 series, you'll find several great upgrades and one big downgrade: the exclusion of a charger as one of the freebies. Instead, Samsung only provides you with a USB-C cable for data transfer or connection to an existing charger brick.

The most important thing when buying your charger, or re-using an old one, is to make sure it's fully compatible.

  • The Samsung Galaxy S21 lineup is compatible with USB-C chargers that support USB Power delivery 3.0, up to 25 watts, or Quick Charge 2.0.
  • Chargers that deliver power lower than 25 watts will still work, but will charge the phone much more slowly.

This also applies if you choose to charge it via your laptop or another device. So do check the charger's capability to enable super-fast or fast charging features on your device.

For 25W charging, a 30-minute charge will give you around 50 percent battery life.

What Types of Charger Work With the S21?

samsung wireless charging
Image Credit: Samsung

After checking in with the power capacity that suits your Galaxy device, you can now choose among different types of charger that support your lifestyle and convenience:

  • Wall chargers: Wall chargers come with a brick that acts as a plug to insert in your wall socket with a USB port on one end. These chargers are the most common among the types of chargers and usually can give you the maximum charging capability of your phone. The Samsung Galaxy S21 supports wall chargers up to 25W for fast charging.
  • Power banks: Power banks are a source of portable power to charge any battery-powered items such as mobile phones. They will typically deliver well below the 25W needed for fast charging, but are good as a backup power supply. It’s best to look at Samsung’s approved power banks for your Galaxy S21.
  • Wireless chargers: Wireless chargers or inductive chargers are increasingly popular as platforms that charge your phone when you put it on top or rest it on the charger’s indicated place. Wireless charging helps to not wear out your smartphone’s outlet and prevents overheating since it automatically shuts off when your device is fully charged. It delivers around 15W of power.

How to Find the Right Charger

A good charger does not have to speak for itself. There are forums on the internet that provide reliable reviews about the product after a while of testing it.

samsung wall charger

Some of the defining factors of a good charger are its durability and longevity, good output voltage regulation, sound insulation, and embedded certification as denoted by the symbols CE, MFI, and RoHS on the charger brick or case.

Even if you decide not to go for an official Samsung charger it's still worth choosing a known brand rather than one of the cheap models you'll find on places like Ebay. Or, of course, you can use a charger from an old phone.

Use an Old Charger With the S21

While it's disappointing that there's no charger in the box of the S21, Samsung reckons that most users will already have one (or more) anyway, and they're probably right. The S20 had a 25W charger, and most other phones from the last few years have had 15-25W chargers, and sometimes even more. You may not need to buy a new charger at all.

And if you're switching to a Samsung device for the first time, you might need some help getting used to One UI. Make sure to check out our tips and tricks on using this software to get up to speed.