Ever left your phone plugged in for 20 minutes or so and returned to find it’s just hit 20%? Likely the issue is not your iPhone, but rather the charger at the other end of the cable. Most people still use old chargers and cables, unaware that a modern charger can fully charge their phone in minutes.
This guide will explain what exactly constitutes a “fast charger,” what to look for, and which combinations will work depending on the type of iPhone you have.
You Might Want to Consider Getting a Newer Model
Apple included its 5-watt charger with iPhones for years, but its low power stands out beside modern chargers. It takes more than two hours to charge a phone with a 5W adapter. It takes its time, but nowhere near what current iPhones are meant to be capable of.
Any recent iPhone will charge much faster from that old brick, except when two things match up: a charger that has the right amount of wattage and the right kind of charging protocol, plus a cable that can deliver that much power. Without one of them, you won’t be able to get any faster charging speeds, no matter how new the handset is.
Power Delivery, Simplified
Fast charging iPhone technology is known as Power Delivery or PD. Simply put, it’s a standard that allows for your charger and phone to “communicate” and reach a mutual agreement on a more powerful charge than your typical USB port.
“If you are shopping, consider PD as the category to remain in.” If it does not explicitly say Power Delivery support, then it’s unlikely to boost charging speeds beyond a darned old 5W brick, regardless of how you might think the packaging looks.
How Many Watts Do You Really Need?
That is where things often get confused — brands like to use wattage numbers without a good understanding of how the units are applied in real-world situations.
Most iPhones will run on a 20-watt charger. It will usually reach a 50% level in about 30 minutes. Once you exceed 20W, it’s not going to get much faster because a phone will only take so much power at any time.
A 30w charger is by no means a waste, however. Bigger wattage bricks typically remain cooler when powering them on, and they often feature additional ports, which is useful when you’re also charging an iPad or MacBook via the same brick. Be aware however, that don’t expect the 30W charger to outpace the 20W one on your iPhone in particular. Beyond a certain wattage, you’re not going to get any more juice from the wall adapter.After a point, you’re going to find that your phone’s charging chip is the limiting factor, not the wall adapter.
USB-C Has Taken Over
If you bought an iPhone in the last two years, you’ll notice Apple replaced the Lightning port with USB-C, making charging simpler.
Almost all of your equipment runs on a solid USB-C power adapter and all from the same type of port. At this stage, USB-C is the only viable option when it comes to a new charging brick. It’s the standard at the moment and that’s exactly where Apple is going with all of its future devices.
Don’t Forget the Cable
The charger must supply enough power for the cable to work effectively. A low-power cable limits charging speed, regardless of the charger’s power.
If you have a Lightning port, you will need a USB-C to Lightning cable that is fast charging rather than just a generic Lightning cable out of a junk drawer. Those old 5W bricks were definitely not designed to be used with higher wattages.
In the event that the iPhone is a USB-C version, you need a USB-C cable. They last longer, and reversible connectors make them easy to use daily.
Search for fast-charging or PD-compatible cables from Apple or MFi-approved brands. Sometimes, the uncertified cables result in the strange charging issue and in rare cases, they can harm your device.
Apple’s Charger vs. Third-Party Brands
You can never go wrong with purchasing Apple’s own adapter, it is always reliable and it does what it says. However, this is not the only option for you that will be good. There are many manufacturers that can make PD chargers that do the job just fine and at a much lower price.
Before buying a third-party wall charger, check for these:
- Power Delivery (PD) support of a clear and explicit nature.
- Wattage that is clearly stated on the packaging (20W or more)
- Printed on the box with recognized safety certifications such as UL.
- Real world information about charging speeds, not marketing copy
While a cheap uncertified adapter might do the job of charging your phone, it may not be able to deliver speeds that it claims, it could run hotter than it ought to, or in the worst case scenario, it could actually pose a safety risk. It’s nearly always worth a little more to put your money into a reputable brand.
Quick Top-Ups vs. Overnight Charging
It’s not like you plug it in for an extra hour before you go to sleep at night. A good PD charger is definitely worth it for those spurts, however, as it can provide a decent amount of battery in a matter of minutes.
But, over a 24 hour period, wattage doesn’t matter much. No matter what you connect your phone into, it will take hours to achieve 100%. Actually, for some, it is better to use a slower charger, but for an entire night, as this could cause slightly more wear over time rather than a really quick charger for a short time every night. It’s a minor feature, but if you’re irritated by the idea of pulling out the maximum amount of performance from your battery in the long run, you’ll need to know about it.
Quick Buying Checklist
If you’re shopping for your next charging installation, check off this list:
- Wattage – 20W is the minimum, 30W for headroom or more than one device being charged.
- PD Support — Make sure Power Delivery is clearly listed.
- Type — USB-C output on the brick with the proper cable to connect it to your iPhone.
- Cable Rating — Make sure it’s the cable’s rating, not only the adapter’s, which supports fast charging.
- Certification — MFi for cable / known safety certification for brick.
- Use Case — higher wattage for faster top-ups is more important, overnight charging is less critical.
Bottom Line
Although it might seem a bit complicated, understanding the basics of the charging setup for your iPhone is not too difficult: It’s all about taking the right cable for your phone’s port and connecting it to the right charger that is PD compatible. You’ll feel the difference as soon as you use the adapter (Apple or a good third party). The “old 5W brick to real fast charging” divide is something you will feel every morning when you unplug your phone and it’s already ready to go.