Is Electricity Still Being Consumed Even After Fully Charging An iPhone/iPad?

After your iPad has fully charged, if still connected to the Power Adapter, the iPad will continue to be powered from the Power Adapter instead of draining the iPad battery. While idle, the iPad continues to perform background and automated tasks - for example, periodically retrieving email and performing an iCloud backup.

The power-draw from the Power Adapter is tiny. While it may be reasonably argued that the iPad is drawing power from AC-mains while connected, adding to your electricity bill, the overall contribution to your energy bill is unlikely to be individually measurable.

Also consider that the iPad is drawing power from the Power Adapter that would otherwise have to be supplied from the iPad battery - which would ultimately need to be replenished during a subsequent recharge.

There have been numerous articles about what’s known as “phantom” power drain caused by leaving devices plugged in while not being used. Almost every single electronic device today draws power if left plugged in. So it depends on your commitment level regarding climate change and utility costs. Full commitment would require unplugging everything not being used.

That being said a phone charger left connected to power would mean a teeny tiny hit to your power bill. So would your TV, your stereo, or any other power consuming electronic device (remember, even your clothes washer likely has an electronic board that would draw power while not in use). It’s the cumulative effect that adds up.