Apple has long been known for its secrecy when it comes to revealing certain specifications of its devices, and one of the often-mysterious aspects is charging speeds. While Apple states that the iPhone 15 series, including the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max, supports “up to 50% charge” in either 30 or 35 minutes “with 20W adapter or higher,” the wording leaves some room for interpretation.
Past Tests and Charging Speeds
Previous tests of the iPhone 14 line, which also featured similar quoted text from Apple, revealed charging speeds ranging between 25W and 27W, depending on the model. This discrepancy in charging speeds raises questions about the actual capabilities of the iPhone 15 series.
New Claim for iPhone 15 Charging Speeds
A recent report from Japanese blog Macotakara (via MacRumors) suggests that the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro can achieve charging speeds of up to 27W. While the source of this information remains unclear, it aligns with the observed charging speeds for the iPhone 14 series. However, the report’s wording makes it slightly ambiguous whether the same claim applies to the iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Believable Yet Unverified Claim
While the source of this information remains unverified, the claim is plausible, given the previous charging capabilities of Apple’s iPhones. There were pre-launch reports hinting that some iPhone 15 models might support 35W charging. However, if that were the case, one would expect Apple to mention 30W chargers in its official statement instead of 20W ones.
Comparing Charging Speeds
If the reported charging speeds apply to all four iPhone 15 models, it would represent a modest increase compared to the iPhone 14 series, which charged at approximately 25W in independent tests. However, it would also mean that the iPhone 15 Pro Max matches the charging power of the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Notable, but Not Groundbreaking
While these charging speeds are notable, especially for Apple users seeking faster charging, they are not groundbreaking when compared to competitors in the smartphone market. Some rivals, like the OnePlus 10T, support rapid 150W charging, showcasing the disparity in charging capabilities among different manufacturers.
Apple’s Ambiguity in Spec Listings
One intriguing aspect of this situation is Apple’s ambiguity in listing charging specifications. Despite the potential for faster charging speeds, Apple chooses to provide only a broad range in its official specs, leaving users to rely on third-party tests and reports for more detailed information.
