Old charger vs new one with UBS ports

If it works with your cell phone and iPad now, why wouldn't it in Europe? All the chargers are universal voltage, it says so right on them.

Possibly but I wouldn't advise it. Most new devices connect with USB-C ports, which your old charger will not have. I would go ahead and get the newer one. Even if your devices can connect to the old one, they will charge much faster with a newer hub.

Interesting too in Italy. We have chargers that are the 2 prong round type, but purchased 3 prong for this last trip and were very happy to have done so. If you happen to stay in places that have been recently remodeled/upgraded, you might find that the older standard plug (2 prong round that fit in a recessed area) doesn’t exist there. Some places we stayed had both , but not all had the old style.

I’m not very good at describing this type of situation, so if there is an electrician or tech savvy person, please add on!!

Caryn, if your old charger can still connect to your old devices, then it will still work to charge them in Europe now. Just make sure you can physically plug the devices into your charger (newer devices do have the USB-C ports instead as noted above - they are roughly the same size but a different shape). In other words...make sure you have all the correct cables to connect your phone, tablet, etc. to your old charger and if you can, then when you plug the charger into a wall in Europe, it will still work.

Caryn,

A few questions.....

• What do you use at home for charging your cell phone and iPad? Are these devices fairly new?
• Could you provide more information on the "universal charger" you've been using for travels, such as a brand or model? It's difficult to envision exactly what type of device this is.
• Do you also have plug adapters for European countries?

For any charger you have to verify three things:
- the input voltage. In USA the standard is 120V, while in Europe is 230V. The most of new chargers can cope with both voltage without problems, being electronic switching. Usually on the label is written something like "Input voltage 120/230V". Some old models has a selector to change the input voltage, but now aren't very common.
- the input plug: In Europe are used the round plugs. In these pictures you can find the standard European ones: https://www.vitobarone.it/componenti/prese.htm . The most common are P10, P17/11, P40. In each one you can easily plug your charger. A plug who accept the standard American ( https://www.wekiwi.it/main/tipi-di-prese-elettriche/#:~:text=La%20presa%20americana%20(tipo%20A,B%20ne%20%C3%A8%20invece%20provvista. Type A or B) are uncommon in Italy, but sometimes you can find it.
- output voltage and plug compatible with what you want to charge. But I suppose that it fit perfectly with your devices if you are using it.
If all things are correct on your old charger, it's fine.

Sometimes in Italy on means of transport (trains, buses, taxies...) are present USB-A ports, but not a standard 220V socket. In that cases having a wire (or a charger) to connect you device to that ports allow you to charge it while you are traveling.

Just make sure your adapter has the two round prongs (type C). If you have an adapter with multiple options it should have all of them (type C, Type G for UK, Shuko etc). The USB ports are common in nearly all rental cars, in some public transportation, and some modern hotels. But they are not the norm (yet). I’m in Florence now and my business hotel doesn’t have USB ports (but my rental Jeep does).

You didn't rent a Ferrari? They look so cool parked in the Piazza della Signoria. :-)

are real phones using USB-C now? My iPhone 13 is still on Lightning.

when you say most phones - are most in the US now Android?

Nigel, my iPhone 14 has a USB‑C to Lightning Cable. I don't know the ratio of Android vs. iPhones in the US. Most people I know have iPhones but that's just in my little circle. :)

No Ferrari Sam. I need a 4WD SUV this time around and since I’m at it, I will climb over the Brunelleschi’s Cupola with it and see what the fine is for that violation. I have an IDP so they won’t charge me the €408 fine for that.

Not that it pertains to this post specifically, but some European rental cars only have USB C ports, so if you have a USB 2 cable it’s useless in those vehicles. For an upcoming trip I bought a lightening to USB C cord for my iPhone so I wouldn’t have the issue I ran into last year in Spain; a cable I couldn’t use in the rental car.