Since Apple has introduced both wireless charging and fast charging to the latest iPhone lineup, there are now more ways than ever to charge your device. While every method is different – some are more expensive, some are slower which is the fastest way to charge your phone on the market?
A new study by MacRumors strives to discover just that, as the website tested several different charging methods, both from Apple and third-party manufacturers. These tests apply for both the iPhone X, the iPhone 8, and the iPhone 8 Plus.
According to the report, they “used the same iPhone X for all tests, plugged into the same outlet. Between tests, the battery was drained to one percent, and then battery percent was checked at 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, and 60 minutes while charging.”
“For all tests, the iPhone X was placed into Airplane mode with no apps running,” the report continued. “The display was deactivated except for the four time checks. Tests were conducted without a case on the iPhone X.
The report concludes that the fastest way possible to charge an iPhone 8, 8 Plus, or X is with a USB-C power adapter and an accompanying USB-C to Lightning cable.
On the other end of the spectrum, 5W wireless charging and 5W wired charging with the standard iPhone adapter were the slowest methods tested. 7.5W wireless charging was a bit faster than its 5W counterpart, but not by too much.
In conclusion, iPhone X, 8, and 8 Plus owners really don’t need anything over 18W, and an official Apple power adapter is not necessary – third-party options work just fine. However, it is advisable to use an Apple-official USB-C to Lightning rather than a third-party option.
Check out the entire test results from MacRumors‘ excellent article here.
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I would say it’s required to use the Apple USB-C Lightning cable to get the faster charging speed… I’ve tried 3 different brand with good reviews on Amazon… and none worked with fast charging… I was getting the same charging speed as a regular 10w charger.
now with the Apple cable, it looks like to be twice as fast when the battery level is low.
12W iPad charger looks like the sweet spot – no need to buy expensive cables, charges almost as fast as an 87W charger and doesn’t stress the battery as much either – so it’ll last longer.
I do that now with my iPhone 6s and the iPad charger through usb to lightning. Not sure what comes with the 8 usb-c to lightning?
Is it safe to charge iPhone X/8/8+ with iPad 12W charger in the long run? Any long lasting battery impact, leak, explode, etc?
It is ok to charge with a iPad charger and no it will not explode or do anything bad to battery. If you don’t want to wait.
Thanks!
I had read 50% charge in 30 minutes these numbers are way off the mark. Was something missing in testing or apples laboratory conditions not realistic?
If you follow the 30 minute line in the chart above, you will see that it charged to 49% with 18W+ chargers with a USB-C to Lightning cable. So 49% is not “way off” from 50%.