How to charge the iPhone 3G when visiting Portugal

A guide showing you how to recharge your iPhone 3G with a Portuguese power outlet with the USB 30-pin Apple connector with a Type C USB adapter and powering the iPhone 3G using a Type F USB adapter.

Portuguese power outlet

Varying different region codes and sockets can often be daunting when planning on staying in a foreign country especially if you've never visited before. If visiting Portugal this page contains useful instructions showing you how to power your iPhone 3G by using the F or C type Portuguese 230 volt 50Hz wall outlets, Type F power outlets will be typically used by most Portuguese. When travelling to Portugal from another region check that the iPhone 3G can accept a 240v supply. If your iPhone 3G came from a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) check that the iPhone 3G is dual-voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional voltage converter to stop the device from overloading during charging. If you plan on visiting a Portuguese place such as Lisbon or Porto please read the Portuguese Wikipedia web page [1] for more indepth details. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 4 or greater on the iPhone 3G.

Charging the iPhone 3G in Portugal

Can the iPhone 3G be used in Portugal?

Yes, you can use the iPhone 3G in Portugal.

What is the best travel adapter for the iPhone 3G in Portugal?

If you are travelling to multiple countries and bringing more than just your iPhone 3G then the best international travel charger for Portugal to buy is a multiple USB port charger which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Portuguese use two different standards of wall outlets (types F and C) and using a power charger like this will ensure that you are covered for type C.

Because these chargers come with interchangeable plugs and handle 100 volts to 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries around the world simply by changing the supplied plugs. If your model of iPhone 3G supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much faster charging times with one of these types of USB power chargers, along with support for more power hungry devices. Unlike other travel adapters this means you can power more than one device at the same time without needing to buy seperate travel adapters for your trip or using up additional wall outlets. Only needing to bring a single lightweight travel charger will keep the overall size down, making it perfect to fold up in hand baggage while travelling and convenient for charging your iPhone 3G at the airport or on the flight. Because of their flexibility these types of travel chargers can be used when back at home not just abroad so when you’re not travelling they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple tablets, smartphones and speakers without using up an additional power outlet.

For those travelling on a regular basis we suggest buying an adaptable travel adapter similar to this online. The multipurpose travel charger illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for Portugal

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country who only have USB devices such as the iPhone 3G, however for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which can be necessary for travellers to regions with unreliable or unstable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected devices. These power converters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Europe, America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular compact power converter for travellers originating from North America going to Portugal using type B US plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from the US using type B plugs. This is a much cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with 1 less AC outlet at almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers 5 USB charging ports. This versatile power strip is compatible with both American plugs and popular plug types A, D,E/F, G, H, I, L and N making it perfect for a wide range of travellers from around the world visiting Portugal. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for the iPhone 3G in Portugal?

Powering the iPhone 3G with a Portuguese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Using a USB 30 pin Apple cable with a two pin Type C USB charger to power the iPhone 3G with a Portuguese power outlet.

  1. If you want to supply power to your iPhone 3G from the Portuguese power outlet you will need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - Apple will normally include this cable when you buy the iPhone 3G.
  2. First plug in the Type C USB power plug adapter into the Portuguese power outlet. This plug outlet can be recognised by the two round adjacent holes next to each other where the plug outlet pins go.
  3. Connect one end of the cord into the bottom of the USB mains adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 3G. The iPhone 3G dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 3G.
  4. Switch on the Portuguese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the cell screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone 3G is charging, typically taking roughly one to four hours to recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 3G with a Portuguese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Charging the iPhone 3G from a Portuguese power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

A guide showing you how to recharge your iPhone 3G with a Portuguese power outlet with the USB 30-pin Apple connector with a Type F USB adapter.

  1. To power the iPhone 3G from a Portuguese power outlet you will need to use a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple typically supply this USB cable when you purchase your iPhone 3G).
  2. Plug the Type F USB power plug adapter in the power supply. You can recognise this power outlet by the two 4.8mm circular holes 19 mm next to each other and two thin grounding clips above and below.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the USB adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 3G. The iPhone 3G dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 3G.
  4. Turn on the Portuguese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your cellphone will display a charge icon to indicate that the phone is charging and takes roughly one-four hours to fully recharge. [AD]
Charging the iPhone 3G from a Portuguese power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Portuguese Wikipedia web page
  2. Apple - official iPhone 3G user guide
  3. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  4. Type C USB power plug adapter - Conforming to Europlug specifications, the Type C USB power plug adapter incorporates two 4 mm rounded pins spaced 19 mm apart. It is engineered to adapt electrical outlets commonly found in Europe, converting them to USB-compatible charging ports..
  5. USB to Apple 30 pin cable - This connects compatible iPhones, iPods and iPads to a USB port for charging, syncing and playing music.
  6. iec.ch - Type F power outlet
  7. Type F USB power plug adapter - Compliant with Europlugs and CEE 7/17 specifications, the Type F or Schuko adapter is engineered to adapt German electrical power outlets into USB-compatible ports..
  8. 4 Port USB Wall Charger - A 4-port USB wall charger is an electrical device that provides simultaneous charging for up to four USB-compatible devices. It often includes interchangeable international plug adapters for global use..