Apple’s iPhone 16 series introduced larger batteries and promises of faster charging. While the exact battery capacities and charging speeds weren’t officially disclosed, a Chinese regulatory filing revealed that all models support up to 45W charging.
However, recent tests by ChargerLAB have shown that the actual charging performance of the iPhone 16 Pro Max falls short of expectations. Despite the 45W rating, the phone’s charging speed is capped at around 30W.
Factors Limiting Charging Speed:
- Lack of E-Marker Chip: The iPhone 16 series lacks an E-marker chip, a crucial component for managing power delivery and data communication in USB Type-C cables. This limits the phone’s ability to utilize higher charging speeds.
- Apple’s Proprietary Charging Protocol: Apple’s proprietary charging protocol and the specific tuning of its hardware and software can also impact charging performance.
Testing Results:
- Official Apple Chargers: When tested with Apple’s official charger and the included cable, the iPhone 16 Pro Max only reached a maximum charging speed of 30.19W.
- Third-Party Chargers: ChargerLAB also tested the phone with various third-party chargers, but the results were similar, with a maximum charging speed of 31.86W.
While the iPhone 16 series offers larger batteries, the actual charging speed is limited to around 30W. The actual charging speed improvement over the iPhone 15 Pro Max is relatively small, with only a slight increase from 27W to 30W. This is due to factors such as the lack of an E-marker chip and Apple’s proprietary charging technology. Consumers considering the iPhone 16 series should be aware of these limitations and factor them into their purchasing decision.
