Introduction

In a surprising turn of events, recent tests have shattered the hopes of Apple enthusiasts banking on the rumored 45W charging speeds for the iPhone 16 series. Anticipation grew following a regulatory filing from China suggesting that all iPhone 16 models would support fast charging up to 45W. However, real-world testing has disclosed a different story.

Testing Overview

ChargerLAB conducted extensive tests on the iPhone 16 Pro Max using a selection of both Apple and third-party chargers. The results? The device achieved notable but not groundbreaking maximum sustained charging speeds of approximately 30W. While a peak speed of 37W was recorded using Apple's 140W USB-C power adapter, the duration of this peak performance remains ambiguous. Comparatively, these speeds are an upgrade from the iPhone 15 Pro's peak of 27W, yet far from the lofty 45W mark that was much talked about.

Further Investigations

Further investigations from PhoneArena echo the results, revealing the standard iPhone 16 managed to reach a peak speed of 38W, but only under extreme conditions such as rigorous benchmark tests or while gaming. In regular usage, the sustained charging speed hovered closer to 20W, highlighting a significant divide from the speculative benchmarks.

Apple's Claims

Apple has been cautious in its claims, stating that all iPhone 16 models can achieve a 50% charge in approximately 30 minutes with a 20W or higher USB-C charger—a declaration identical to the advertising for the previous iPhone 15 models. This begs the question: if the device supports the USB-C Power Delivery 3.0 protocol capable of 45W (15V/3A), why aren’t consumers seeing that performance?

Conclusion

The conclusion is stark: while the new iPhone models offer enhanced charging speeds in certain scenarios, the much-anticipated 45W is now confirmed as a misinterpretation of technical specifications. Apple fans will be left to manage their expectations, as these modest improvements may not provide the radical charging speed enhancements that many were hoping for.

Stay Tuned

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to dissect the advancements of Apple's latest tech!