Apple has always been known for keeping certain details about its products under wraps, and the charging power of its iPhones is no exception. This year, many hoped that Apple would boost the charging capabilities of its new iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models, with rumors suggesting support for 45W charging. These rumors largely stemmed from leaks and reports from Chinese regulatory bodies. However, when the new models were released, it became clear that this expectation had not been met.
iPhone 16 Pro Charging Power Falls Short of Expectations
At its peak, the iPhone 16 Pro Max can indeed draw about 40 watts of power. But this happens only for a brief moment early in the charging process. In reality, the overall charging power remains unchanged from the previous generation. Capping at around 27W for most of the charging cycle. This means that despite the initial surge in power, the phones quickly drop back to a more standard charging rate.
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What’s important to understand is that smartphone charging is rarely consistent. Modern devices, including the iPhone, don’t maintain a steady power intake throughout the entire charging process. Instead, they operate on bursts of higher power early on and then taper off as the battery fills. This means that the charging power manufacturers list is often an idealized or “peak” value rather than a figure that represents the typical charging experience.
In terms of practical results, the charging time for the iPhone 16 Pro Max doesn’t show a significant improvement over its predecessor. The new device charges from 2% to 100% in about 1 hour and 45 minutes. It is only a slight improvement compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max. It took 1 hour and 55 minutes to reach full charge. This 10-minute difference is negligible, especially considering the fact that the iPhone 16 Pro Max comes with a 5% larger battery.
Ultimately, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max is a powerful and capable device, its charging capabilities have not advanced as much as some had hoped. This reveals that even with incremental improvements, the real-world benefits of faster charging are often smaller than anticipated.