July 12, 2021, 5:25 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Although iPhones have had a fast-charging feature for some time, Apple long included only a weak power adapter. Here’s how to charge best!
For several years, iPhones came with a very compact 5-watt power adapter. While it was great for transport, it wasn’t particularly powerful. Charging an iPhone quickly with its own adapter? No chance. iPad owners are likely pleased, as they have access to the larger 10- or 12-watt adapter (depending on the iPad model). Buyers of the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max already received a stronger adapter (18 watts). However, the iPhone 12 no longer includes any adapter. But do stronger adapters really charge all other iPhones faster? And do they damage the battery? The quick answer is in the video:
Charging iPhone with the iPad Adapter
Since the iPhone X and iPhone 8, Apple smartphones support a fast-charging feature. You can check on the Apple site which iPhones officially charge faster with iPad adapters. Although older iPhones don’t have this fast-charging feature according to Apple, the iPad adapter can practically be used for charging. More importantly, it significantly reduces charging time, at least since the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, which also benefit from stronger adapters. Even older iPhones like the 5s don’t allow a stronger charging current than the 5-watt adapter.
A complete charging cycle for an iPhone 7 Plus is reduced by up to 98 minutes. In a test by the British YouTube channel SuperSaf TV, the battery was 35 percent full after an hour with the 5-watt adapter, but 64 percent with the 12-watt adapter. After 2:05 hours, the iPhone was fully charged with the iPad adapter, while the original adapter only reached 73 percent. After a lengthy 3:43 hours, the iPhone was finally fully charged.
There are also differences among current iPhones. Models with larger batteries benefit more from larger adapters, as they can draw more power. Still, switching adapters is very worthwhile even for the base model, the iPhone 11.
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Using Third-Party Adapters
To quickly charge the iPhone, it doesn’t necessarily have to be the iPad charger. Since the smartphone charges via USB like any other, any USB charger can be used, as long as it has a higher wattage than the standard 5-watt adapter. It’s best to opt for a device with 15 watts or one that has the “USB Power Delivery” feature. Starting with the iPhone 8, Apple smartphones also support this fast-charging technology.
Does Faster Charging Damage the iPhone Battery?
The clear answer: No! Simply put, it’s not the adapter that determines how much power is pumped into the device, but the device itself. The iPhone draws as much power as it needs. The built-in limit protects the iPhone battery from overloading.
The final proof that the 12-watt iPad adapter doesn’t harm the iPhone battery comes from Apple itself: In the compatibility list, the manufacturer includes not only all iPad models produced so far but also all iPhones since the 1st generation, most iPods, and even the Apple Watch.
On the other hand, the small 5-watt iPhone adapter isn’t compatible with all iPad models. It can only be used to charge iPad mini 2, 3, and 4. For larger iPads, it’s simply too weak.
So if you’re looking to buy a new adapter, it’s better to go for the more powerful 12-watt adapter, as it costs the same as the 5-watt adapter. And the iPad adapter definitely ensures faster charging–without side effects.