The iPad outlet charger is twice as big as the iPhone outlet charger, are they interchangeable or is the iPad charger bigger because it requires more amps? Will either be damaged if they are swapped?

The iphone charges off of 5V, 1Amp while the iPad charges off of 5V, 2Amp. I've heard mixed theories as to whether charge the iPhone with the iPad charger or vice versa would damage either device or not. One thing is for certain, though, is that if you charge the iPad using the iPhone charger the iPad will charge, but just more slowly. I've been stuck in situations where I needed to use my iPad charger to charge both my iPhone and my iPad and I haven't experienced noticeable damage to the phone (if it's been damaged at all). I think just to be on the safer side of things, though, it would probably be best to use their respective chargers.

Ipad charger is fine for iPhone 4, but not the other way around as described by another poster. Always check for the two amps if you are going to buy a 3rd party charger or it will charge horribly slow. Most PC USB ports are also only 1 amp, so that method will charge very slowly and usually not much at all if the iPad is on.

The sales geek radio shack told me the charges don't have an amp rating because it is meaningless. Be careful when you buy them. If the package does not say 2 amps, don't buy it. Even the sales geeks get confused about this.

Nate

The iPad will charge fine on a 1 amp charger or 1 amp USB port when it is turned off. It will charge a lot slower than if the 2 amp charger were used.

The iPad appears to draw over 1 amp when it is turned on so it will not charge on a 1 amp charger when turned on. It will however, discharge at a much slower rate than it would if not plugged in the 1 amp source.

And by just fine, you mean ridiculously slow. Why bother? Use the iPad charger.

I use my ipad charger for iphone and i see no problem.

Originally Posted by iPadster

The iPad outlet charger is twice as big as the iPhone outlet charger, are they interchangeable or is the iPad charger bigger because it requires more amps? Will either be damaged if they are swapped?

5 volts is 5 volts. Therefore an iPad charger cannot damage the iPhone. The current rating merely refers to how much current the charger can deliver to the load. The iPhone requires less current than the iPad, therefore a charger capable of delivering more current, will charge the iPad faster.

just to add to the discussion,
I have a few ipods and an ipad in the house.
While it is clearly demonstrated that the lower wattage chargers do not charge the Ipad (or do so very slowly), i've also discovered that the cable from the ipods seem to restrict the charging speed on the ipad.
I spent a few days trying to figure out why my ipad was taking 10 hours to charge (with the 10W adapter) I changed out the cable (to the one supplied with the ipad)and the charging speed dramatically increased. The cables look identical so it is easy to mix them up

Yes I do believe the iPad charger CABLE is dif then and iPhone/iPod cable, CABLE I'm not talking about the charger yes those are dif as already stated but the wires them self are also. It could be for many reason the, simple one is that they have improved through time, naturally. I believe that the newer wire iPad/iPhone4 transfer data faster and can charge faster than say an older wire iPhone/iPod wire

I have also noted (correct me if I'm wrong) that the iPad wire is slightly longer than the iPhone one? I keep mine labeled now so I can know. Because I def feel that I see a dif in performance. Any thoughts?