iPhone 16 Pro Max Charging Speed Test Proves 45W Rumor Was Wrong

While a Chinese regulatory filing showed that all iPhone 16 models are rated for up to 45W charging speeds, tests have since shown that the devices do not actually charge this fast. However, there are still improvements.

iphone 16 pro colors 1
ChargerLAB last week tested the iPhone 16 Pro Max with a variety of Apple and third-party chargers, and it found that the device achieved maximum sustained charging speeds of around 30W. In one image, the website showed the iPhone 16 Pro Max reaching a peak charging speed of 37W with Apple's 140W USB-C power adapter, but it is unclear how long the device kept charging at that speed. Overall, this seems to be an improvement over the reported 27W peak charging speed for iPhone 15 Pro models, but it is clear that iPhone 16 models are not actually reaching the theoretical 45W ceiling that was rumored.

ChargerLab iPhone 16 Pro Max Large
PhoneArena saw similar results with the standard iPhone 16. In its review last week, it said the device reached a peak charging speed of 38W only when it was "under extremely heavy loads such as benchmark testing or playing games." The website said the iPhone 16 achieved a sustained charging speed of closer to 20W.

Apple merely says that all iPhone 16 models can achieve up to a 50% charge in around 30 minutes with a 20W or higher USB-C charger, which is exactly the same claim that it advertised for all iPhone 15 models.

All in all, just because all iPhone 16 models safely support the USB-C Power Delivery 3.0 protocol of 15V/3A = 45W, it has been proven that the devices do not actually charge at 45W speeds. The rumor was wrong, or at least misinterpreted. However, modestly faster charging speeds still seem to occur in certain scenarios.

Related Roundup: iPhone 16 Pro

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Top Rated Comments

Lounge vibes 05 Avatar
24 weeks ago

Wasn’t it first a rumor and then supposedly later “confirmed” and “official” or whatever? So why are we back to calling it a rumor and not just false advertising?
you can't call "false advertising" on something that wasn't and still isn't advertised at all.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
contacos Avatar
24 weeks ago
I’ll be fine. I still use my 5W charger over night ?
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
contacos Avatar
24 weeks ago

Never charge your phone overnight.
Optimized charging
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ikjadoon Avatar
24 weeks ago
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/iphone-16-battery-capacities-revealed.2437059/post-33417816

If anyone wants the explanation ^^

TL;DR: Some rumor sites found the real Apple.com page showing that iPhone 16s support the 15V3A (45W max) USB-IF profile. They immediately assumed that the iPhone would max out the profile.

No, it's simply because even just 28W (+1W only!) is not possible with the lower profile (9V3A = 27W): Apple did slightly increase charging speeds over 27W → thus, Apple was forced to enable the 15V*3A profile. But Apple supporting the 15V*3A profile does not mean iPhones must use all 3A.

The profile is just named "15V3A" to indicate the maximum:

9V@3A profile: >15W to 27W max (3A)
15V@3A profile: >27W to 45W max (3A)

Apple had to move to 15V to increase charging speeds beyond 27W.

ELI5: imagine if Apple.com store suddenly showed 200-lb-rated caster wheels for the Mac Pro, vs the older 100-lb-rated casters. Does that mean the next Mac Pro WILL weigh 200 pounds?! No. It may just be 105-lb, but even those +5lb would not be allowed on the 100-lb-rated casters.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
I7guy Avatar
24 weeks ago
For me charging with the 20W brick is fast enough.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rotvaldi Avatar
24 weeks ago
Thanks I was going to trade in my 15P for a 16PM but I’ll wait till 17PM
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)