"It’s Ridiculously Cheap": Man Breaks Down the Surprisingly Low Cost of Charging a Phone Each Month
- A South African man calculated the monthly cost of charging a phone, and he revealed the cost per month
- The guy used a standard charger consuming 30 watts of power and estimated the total usage to be around 0.9 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month, based on a cost of R4 per unit
- The video sparked discussion online, with viewers surprised at the low cost and some appreciating the practical tips on reducing household electricity bills, particularly in the context of rising electricity tariffs in South Africa
A South African man has broken down the surprisingly low cost of charging a phone each month, sparking interest among locals looking to save on electricity.
Source: Facebook
Man breaks down monthly cost of charging a phone
In a video shared by the man himself on Facebook under the handle Wes Reddy, he demonstrated his calculations using a standard charger, which he said consumes about 30 watts of power. According to him, it typically takes around one hour to fully charge a smartphone.
Wes Reddy explained that if you fully charge your phone every day for a month, the total usage would be approximately 0.9 kilowatt-hours (kWh). Using the current electricity price of about R4 per unit, this works out to just R3.60 per month.
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“Even if you play with the numbers, it will still be under R5. I know, it’s ridiculously cheap,” he said in the video.
He also suggested a few alternative charging methods for those still keen on reducing their household electricity bill. These included charging phones in the car while driving or using a small solar panel for an eco-friendly option.
The video that was posted by Wes Reddy on 10 August 2025 sparked discussion online, with some viewers surprised at how little electricity a phone charger consumes, especially compared to other household appliances. Others noted that while the cost may be minimal, small savings could still add up when applied to multiple devices or over long periods.
With rising electricity tariffs and ongoing load shedding challenges, South Africans have been looking for creative ways to cut energy costs. This breakdown serves as a reminder that not all devices are heavy on power usage and that the biggest energy culprits at home often lie elsewhere.
Wes Reddy's light-hearted yet informative explanation has since gained traction, with many appreciating the clarity and practical tips.
Take a look at the video below:
SA voices their thoughts on the electricity issue
People in South Africa took to the comments section to share their thoughts on the man's insightful findings and the electricity issue in Mzansi.
Queeneth Magano said:
"Nice, and the Indian shop will charge you for R10 just because you are desperate."
Anton Niemann added:
"If the phone is charged in full, does the phone still draw electricity when plugged in at night?"
Boni Xaba wrote:
"Nice content."
Neels Hattingh commented:
"Thank you for all your information. We really appreciate it.."
Felicity Kahn shared:
"Thank you so much for all the helpful hints. Please share what a wall panel heater uses."
Source: Facebook
More stories on electricity by Briefly News
- A South African man has broken down the cost of running a Wi-Fi router for an entire month, and the numbers have sparked interest online.
- A South African man has sparked conversation online after breaking down the cost of using an electric blanket, showing just how affordable it can be to stay warm during winter.
- One gent in Mzansi took it upon himself to help folk as he broke down two appliances that use more electricity.
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Source: Briefly News
