eli5: Why do some electrical outlets hold your phone/computer charger, etc. while some can’t?

Question

I’ve noticed that they sometimes hold the thing plugged into the outlet perfectly while some let it slide out with ease.

In: Technology

Answer 1

Older (or possibly poorly made) outlets eventually wear out and lose their ability to “grip” things in the socket. It’s just the plastic/metal in the socket being worn away and bent slightly out a shape where it doesn’t make as good contact with the plug.