USB ports charging
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25 GLE53, 24 Macan, 15 GLK350
USB ports charging
Does anyone use the USB ports in the center compartment to charge their phones? The ports in my old S were miserably slow at charging my phone, and I'm wondering if the ports in the '16 model are any better.
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They charge a little but I would recommend to use an AC charger with the 120V outlet or get a charger battery.
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It doesn't really charge my phone. Samsung Galaxy S7 here, when plugged in, it does charge the phone but while using the phone, more battery is used than charged. I'd recommend just buying a Griffin USB Car Adapter or whatever one you want.
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I just did a test with my iPhone. Started at 43%. After 10 mins of driving phone was at 55%.
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I don't like to use 12V Charger but it charges faster than USB Port . My Android SONY Z2 has been draining the external USB Port Chargers too when watching some videos and with wireless is on and what's even worse is the phone's battery gauge sees 1 % or %2 to remaining battery level even when I plug it before it sees 20 % 
I think I should try solar charger ports to see if they work as they are supposed to
I think I should try solar charger ports to see if they work as they are supposed to
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'15 S550 4Matic
12v charger with 1Amp would charge as fast as any wall charger. Most cheaper 12v chargers are .5amp though. Also it will create some wire mess in the center console which is a shame. I wish it had wireless charging like the new 7 series does...
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1. The phone requires a special BMW case. I personally dislike cases to begin with but this one makes the phone larger/thicker due to the induction circuit.
2. Phone must be plugged into the "wireless" charging cradle in the middle console. Might as well plug the phone in as the placement and effort is the same as wireless.
Unless I can keep the phone in my pocket without a case I don't feel I gain anything.
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I guess this is why I couldn't get it to work when I had a new 750 out on a test weekend. I put the phone in the correct spot but I guess I needed the special case. Lame.
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2016 S550 4 Matic Sport, 2015 BMW 528xi, 2012 BMW 528xi (gone), 2011 BMW Z4 (Yellow - gone)
I know this is an old thread. FWIW my USB port seems to charge my Samsung S8+ fine, though i instead use the 12v charger with a quick charger 3.0 and an inductive charging pad - works pretty well (but in the way of my cup holder, so i can drink or charge, but can't drink, drive and charge 
i didn't notice a problem in my 2016 USB ports, however i bought a kindle fire as a dedicated media device for my car - and it warns me it's a low power port and may not charge when kindle fire in use. Huh? i have the kindle in my armrest with the screen off, so far seems okay, if a real problem i suppose i can use the 12v with the adapter on occasion to top off, or even the 120v power outlet in the rear which i hate the idea of. i wish the car had a 12v socket inside the armrest like my BMW and cheaper cars had. Oh well!
i didn't notice a problem in my 2016 USB ports, however i bought a kindle fire as a dedicated media device for my car - and it warns me it's a low power port and may not charge when kindle fire in use. Huh? i have the kindle in my armrest with the screen off, so far seems okay, if a real problem i suppose i can use the 12v with the adapter on occasion to top off, or even the 120v power outlet in the rear which i hate the idea of. i wish the car had a 12v socket inside the armrest like my BMW and cheaper cars had. Oh well!
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Ok....here is my humble suggestion....I have two USB ports in the center console and one is designated data/music in and the other for charging. My 5s iphone charges pretty fast and I store my favorite music on a flash drive plugged into the other USB port. These ports are not labeled but when I looked them up in the manual I found out which was which. This on a '15 S550.
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S550 4MATIC
Ok....here is my humble suggestion....I have two USB ports in the center console and one is designated data/music in and the other for charging. My 5s iphone charges pretty fast and I store my favorite music on a flash drive plugged into the other USB port. These ports are not labeled but when I looked them up in the manual I found out which was which. This on a '15 S550.
Last edited by lika1; Sep 20, 2018 at 10:47 PM.
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Ok, there may be some confusion.... The charger you have for you iphone at home is probaly 1 amp. Mant people don't know this or may be using an older apple iphone charger.
Notice the output, IMPORTANT, it say 1 amp. So, those of you using this at home, yea, the car would be the same speed for charging, but this is SLOW. 1 amp is slow.
I've always used an Ipad charger to charge my iphone, that's 2.1 amp, TWICE as fast... Also, most aftermarket car chargers for the iphone charge at at least 2.1+ amps, = FAST.
So, it's possible those that say their car charges as fast as at home, may be usuing a 1 amp charger.
NEXT, it's possbile the 2016 now has 2.1 amp charging in the car. That's what I want to know.... Was 2014-2015 1amp, and 2016+ was 2.1+amp?
Notice the output, IMPORTANT, it say 1 amp. So, those of you using this at home, yea, the car would be the same speed for charging, but this is SLOW. 1 amp is slow.
I've always used an Ipad charger to charge my iphone, that's 2.1 amp, TWICE as fast... Also, most aftermarket car chargers for the iphone charge at at least 2.1+ amps, = FAST.
So, it's possible those that say their car charges as fast as at home, may be usuing a 1 amp charger.
NEXT, it's possbile the 2016 now has 2.1 amp charging in the car. That's what I want to know.... Was 2014-2015 1amp, and 2016+ was 2.1+amp?
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From: So. Calif.
2015 S 550 / SOLD:2012 CLS 550
Ok guys.....on my 2015 S550 the UBS ports are marked with a number one or two. The one is for charging my iphone and the two is for my travel drive (with music) and everythiing works great !!
