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The iPhone 16 MagSafe wireless may not be faster than its wired charging speed

Updated: Sep 13, 2024, 8:20 AM

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iPhone 16 Pro Max with USB-C charging cable

When Apple announced the iPhone 16 series, it mentioned that its MagSafe wireless charging tech is now much faster, bumped from 15 watts to 25 watts speed. Since Apple didn't mention any increase in wired charging speeds, there was an awkward moment where future iPhone 16 owners realized that the wired charging is now slower than the wireless.

Apple still sells its good old 20 watts chargers, saying that they are compatible with all the iPhone 16 models. Granted, Apple has never been a charging speed champion as this title is usually reserved for the Chinese phones which now can top up with speeds north of 100 watts, but shipping a phone that charges slower with a cable than wirelessly would've been a whole different level of wrong.

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Except that maybe it didn't. The iPhone 16 models have popped up in the database of China's regulatory Quality Certification Centre, and their certification documents show that all have been tested at up to 15V voltage and 3A amperage.

That would mean that the iPhone 16, the iPhone 16 Plus, the iPhone 16 Pro, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max all support up to 45 watts USB-C port charging speed, but, needless to say, such speeds may have been limited by Apple, or not sustainable for a prolonged period of time.

THIS IS VERY GOOD NEWS
All the iPhone 16 series has up to 45W wired charging! According to the CQC https://t.co/nlRIvrBib5 pic.twitter.com/8cUnGDsLMI
— ShrimpApplePro ずっと真夜中でいいのに (@VNchocoTaco) September 12, 2024

For comparison, we tested the iPhone 15 series' unofficial charging speeds, and the Pro Max topped out at a 26W maximum. The European Commission forced Apple to install a USB-C data and charging port on all of its gear, so that there is a more convenient charging experience with less cable waste.

With the removal of the Lightning port and the advent of the USB-C connectors on the iPhone 15 series, Apple had all the hardware infrastructure for faster charging available to its engineers.

The use of USB-C, however, didn't officially boost the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max charging speed to the 27W-29W charging peak that their predecessors can score with one of the more powerful Apple chargers. The iPhone 15 models still took half an hour to get up to 50% when charged using Apple's standard 20W or higher charger and cable, so charging the iPhone 15 series fully again takes at least an hour and a half or more, while Chinese Androids now come with record fast charging speeds of half an hour or less.

Unfortunately, Apple chose to slow the pace of charging speed upgrades and leave it for its next iPhones, and those next handsets could very well be the 2024 iPhone crop. It turns out that the rumors which predicted faster iPhone 16 charging may have been credible all along, and it all depends on how long can the handset sustain higher charging speeds. Not that 45W charging would be anything impressive, yet on the iPhone it will feel like doubling the speed.

Apple doesn't provide official charging speed specs, as they are never anything to brag with compared to the competition. In fact, iPhones are collectively the slowest charging phones out there, each in its respective price category, and Apple still has the traditional "up to 50% charge in around 30 minutes18 with 20W adapter or higher paired with USB‑C charging cable" blurb in its iPhone 16 specs listing.

MagSafe wireless charging up to 25W with 30W adapter or higher. Testing conducted by Apple in August 2024 using preproduction iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus units and software, USB‑C Charge Cable with Apple USB‑C Power Adapter (20W Model A2305), and Apple MagSafe Chargers (1‑meter Model A2580 and 2‑meter Model A3250) with Apple USB‑C Power Adapter (30W Model A2164). Fast‑charge testing conducted with drained iPhone units. Times measured from the appearance of the Apple logo as the unit started up. Charge time varies with settings and environmental factors; actual results will vary. Wireless chargers sold separately.

Apple, September '24

In short, the iPhone 16, the iPhone 16 Plus, the iPhone 16 Pro, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max may now all support up to 45W charging speeds, but unofficially via a certification body listing, so we can't wait to hook them to a more powerful adapter and see how they fare compared to the iPhone 15 crop.

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Daniel, a devoted tech writer at PhoneArena since 2010, has been engrossed in mobile technology since the Windows Mobile era. His expertise spans mobile hardware, software, and carrier networks, and he's keenly interested in the future of digital health, car connectivity, and 5G. Beyond his professional pursuits, Daniel finds balance in travel, reading, and exploring new tech innovations, while contemplating the ethical and privacy implications of our digital future.