What's the Fastest Charging Speed Your iPad or iPhone Port Can Handle?

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Getting the most out of your iPhone or iPad’s battery is about more than keeping an eye on how much power your apps consume. Your charging speed can also have a significant effect on your battery’s longevity — and on how quickly you can get back out the door.

According to a recent report from Engadget, many Apple users are unknowingly leaving charging performance on the table by pairing modern devices with outdated bricks. Here’s what you need to know.

iPhone and iPad Charging Speeds: The Numbers

Apple’s latest iPhone 17 lineup supports charging speeds of up to 40W for the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The ultra-thin iPhone Air, however, tops out at just 20W — a tradeoff necessary to achieve its slim profile.

On the iPad side, the base model iPad released in 2025 charges at a respectable 45W, on par with competing tablets from Samsung. The flagship M5 iPad Pro pushes even further, charging at up to 60W.

But here’s the catch: Apple stopped including charging bricks with iPhones years ago, and the 20W charger that still ships with iPads is far too weak to hit those maximum speeds. Anyone still using an old 5W brick from the iPhone 11 era is getting an incredibly slow charging experience with their modern device.

How Charging Speeds Are Measured

Battery capacity is measured in milliamp-hours (mAh), which represents how much power a battery can deliver over an hour. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a 5,088mAh battery, while the base iPhone 17 uses a 3,692mAh cell. The 13-inch M5 iPad Pro packs a massive 10,290mAh battery.

Charging speed is measured in watts. Thanks to improved technologies like USB Power Delivery (USB-PD), even compact smartphones can charge at increasingly high rates. For comparison, some Android competitors like the OnePlus 15 already charge at a blistering 120W.

Choose the Right Charger

Since Apple no longer includes a fast charger in the box, customers who want to take advantage of top speeds must purchase one separately. The good news is that you don’t have to buy Apple’s own adapters. Third-party brands such as Anker, Ugreen, and Satechi offer excellent alternatives that can deliver the full 40W–60W these devices support.

When shopping for a charger, make sure its rated output meets or exceeds your device’s maximum charging speed. A 20W charger will still work with an iPhone 17 Pro Max, but you’ll only charge at half the achievable speed — meaning more time tethered to the wall and less time using your device.

Source: Engadget

Charging on Know the Tech

What's the Fastest Charging Speed Your iPad or iPhone Port Can Handle?

iPhone and iPad Charging Speeds: The Numbers

How Charging Speeds Are Measured

Choose the Right Charger