Apple’s iPhone 16 lineup brings a notable upgrade in charging speed and efficiency, with improvements for both USB-C wired charging and MagSafe. According to ChargerLAB’s in-depth testing, the iPhone 16 Pro Max charges up to 20% faster than its predecessor, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, when paired with higher-wattage charging bricks.
With Apple’s standard 20W charger, there’s no significant difference between the two models—both charge at around 18W. However, when using more powerful adapters like Apple’s 35W, 61W, or even third-party alternatives such as Anker’s 65W charger, the iPhone 16 Pro Max stands out, delivering over 30W of charging power. For example, with a 35W charger, the iPhone 16 Pro Max reaches 30.55W compared to the 24.85W seen on the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
This increase in charging speed is significant for those looking to fast-charge their devices. While Apple’s official stance remains that a 20W charger will give you a 50% charge in 30 minutes, ChargerLAB’s findings show that with the right charging brick, users can push well beyond that limit, reaching close to 30W or more.
Interestingly, third-party chargers perform just as well as Apple’s, with Anker’s 65W brick pushing 31.47W on the iPhone 16 Pro Max compared to 25.13W on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. This shows that users are not limited to Apple-branded chargers to get the most out of their iPhone 16’s charging capabilities.
It’s worth noting that while rumors suggested that the iPhone 16 could support up to 45W charging speeds, real-world tests show a different story. According to PhoneArena, the iPhone 16 Pro Max can hit a peak of 37W, but this is only under specific conditions such as heavy benchmarking or gaming. In more typical use cases, sustained charging speeds hover around 30W, which is still an improvement over the iPhone 15 series, which peaked at around 27W.
These findings highlight that while the iPhone 16 lineup supports faster charging through USB-C Power Delivery 3.0, it doesn’t quite reach the rumored 45W speeds. Still, the improvements in charging speed, especially when paired with higher wattage chargers, make the iPhone 16 a solid upgrade for users seeking faster battery top-ups.
For those looking to maximize their iPhone 16 Pro Max’s charging potential, investing in a higher-wattage brick is key. Anker’s 65W charger is a great option for those wanting fast charging at a lower cost, while Apple’s 61W and 140W adapters also provide solid performance. Additionally, if you prefer wireless charging, Apple’s new second-generation MagSafe puck is designed to deliver optimal performance for the iPhone 16.
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