One of the most highly anticipated upgrades in the iPhone 17 lineup is charging speed. With just 30 minutes of charging, users can now enjoy nearly a full day's worth of battery life.

Apple finally speeds up iPhone charging

For years, even decades, Apple has remained conservative in its approach to charging speeds. The company’s official website has long listed a maximum charging power of just 20W, drawing criticism for lagging behind rivals.

However, that changes with the iPhone 17 series. Apple has finally doubled charging speeds, offering up to 40W via cable - not just for the Pro models, but even the standard iPhone 17. The exception is the ultra-thin iPhone Air, which remains limited to 20W.

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Photo: PhoneArena

According to Apple, the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max now support up to 40W wired charging. The standard iPhone 17 also supports 40W, while the iPhone Air is capped at 20W.

While brands like Xiaomi and OnePlus offer even faster charging, they typically use proprietary standards that limit compatibility. Apple, on the other hand, has adopted the industry-wide USB-C Power Delivery (PD) standard.

This means users can use third-party chargers from brands like Anker or Ugreen and still enjoy optimal performance - just like with Samsung Galaxy devices. By contrast, with brands like Xiaomi and OnePlus, third-party charging doesn't always deliver maximum efficiency.

Apple has also integrated the latest USB PD 3.2 standard, which includes AVS (Adjustable Voltage Supply) protocol. This allows for dynamic voltage adjustment, ensuring stable and efficient charging.

Real-world iPhone 17 charging test results

Real-world tests show substantial improvements over the iPhone 16 series. After 30 minutes of charging, the iPhone 17 Pro reaches 67% battery, compared to just 58% on the iPhone 16 Pro. A full charge takes approximately 1 hour and 16 minutes, down from 1 hour and 40 minutes for its predecessor.

This is a major leap, particularly for users constantly on the go who need fast top-ups during short breaks.

Apple introduces new Dynamic Power Adapter

Alongside the iPhone 17, Apple unveiled a new charger called the Dynamic Power Adapter, priced at USD 40. Currently, it's only available in select markets like the United States.

The key feature is in the name “Dynamic”: it can deliver 60W for a short period before settling into a steady 40W. In a Reddit test, when charging a high-capacity device like a power station, the adapter maintained 60W for 18 minutes, then throttled down to 40W.

This labeling approach - “40W with 60W peak” - is considered more honest than many third-party chargers that advertise peak outputs without clarifying limitations.

Do you need Apple’s Dynamic Power Adapter for fast charging?

Not necessarily. While Apple’s charger may provide slight efficiency benefits, most third-party USB-C PD chargers rated at 40W will charge the iPhone 17 almost as fast.

Tests with four popular chargers - Samsung 45W, Spigen ArcStation ProGan 65W, Baseus PicoGo 45W, and Asus ROG Phone 65W - showed that all delivered around 36W when charging the iPhone 17.

This proves Apple is not locking fast-charging behind proprietary accessories, breaking from its usual ecosystem strategy.

The enhanced charging speed on the iPhone 17 isn’t just a number - it provides a real-life boost: a 30-minute charge gives users enough power to last through the day.

As smartphones increasingly handle productivity, entertainment, and even on-device AI tasks, fast and stable power replenishment becomes a crucial feature.

After years of being labeled slow in the charging race, Apple has officially joined the game with the iPhone 17. While its 40W still trails behind Xiaomi and OnePlus offerings of 100W or 120W, Apple’s approach - favoring consistency, broad compatibility, and real-world usability - is arguably more practical for everyday users.

Hai Phong