If you have an iPhone or iPad and want it to charge as quickly as possible, you should know that the cable is also important. It's not just about having a charger that delivers more power than the original 5W. So, here's everything you need to know about fast charging on Apple devices , from the iPhone 8 to the iPhone SE. And, as a bonus, a selection of interesting cables and chargers.
Fast charging on iPhone and iPad
Explaining fast charging isn't really necessary, but if we're just focusing on Apple devices, you should know the following:
- Fast charging is an option that allows you to reach a 50% of total autonomy in just 30 minutes
- Requires the use of a charger and cable that allow the maximum power supported by the device
- Apple USB-C Power Adapters offer 18, 30, 61, and 96 W depending on the device (from iPhone to MacBook Pro)
Knowing this, the charging time will logically depend on the charger, the cable used and the power that the device supports. Could you charge an iPad with a MacBook Pro charger? Yes, even if they offer different powers you can use it. But you have to know that the time will be the same, since the device will be the one that will limit the input of more power.
As a bonus, a 15″ or 16″ MacBook Pro can be charged with the 13″ model, but you won't be able to use it and the charging time will be longer, since it offers less power and the battery drains faster than normal. what is recharged
Given this, the next step is to know what the different Apple chargers and cables offer according to their connection and type.
- The cables USB-C to Lightning y USB-C to USB-C Apple cost from 25 euros to 39 euros Depending on their length, they can be used with any charger and support fast charging.
- El thunderbolt 3 cable that uses the USB-C connectors costs 45 euros, but it is designed for the Mac, with an iPad Pro you would not take advantage of it
- The official chargers The 35 W model costs 18 euros, 55 euros for the 30 W model and up to 85 euros for the 96 W model for the 16″ MacBook Pro
Now, what is the maximum charging speed that the iPhone and the different iPads support. Let's see it:
- From the iPhone 8 and iPhone X onwards the maximum fast charge supported is 29 W
- iPads also support 29W charging
Knowing all this information, choosing the ideal charger to take advantage of fast charging with an iPhone or iPad is easy. It's also easy to choose the best combination if you have multiple devices. If you also have an iPad, it's best to buy a charger specifically for the iPad.
However, seeing the prices that Apple manages, there are cases in which it is more interesting to opt for accessories from other brands that offer identical quality. In some cases higher after daily use, especially in the cables.
The best cables for your iPad and iPad
If you want to quickly charge your iPhone or iPad, in addition to a suitable charger you will also need a compatible cable. These are some interesting proposals for price, reliability and some other details such as greater resistance in daily use.
Anker PowerLine with Lightning connector
Anker offers different products related to charging on iOS devices. This cable offers a USB A connector on one end and Lightning on the other. However, together with the fast charging support, the best thing is that it is covered with a nylon braid that provides resistance. And as they themselves say, it is a cable with a lifetime guarantee.
Available in various lengths, you can choose a model that is only 30 cm long, 90 cm or 1,8 m. You choose which one interests you the most.
View Anker PowerLine+ II LightningAnker PowerLine USB-C
On this occasion, this cable from the same manufacturer Anker offers two USB-C connections. Through them you will not only be able to take advantage of fast charging (up to 100 W), but also data transfer of up to 10 Gbps or audio and video at 4K resolution.
The standard supported by this cable is USB 3.1 Gen 2 and its price is more attractive than that of other options available from the device manufacturers themselves.
See Anker PowerLine + USB C cableUGREEN 100W USB-C to USB-C Cable
This cable is useful whether you have an iPad or want an extra cable for your MacBook . You can buy it in 1-meter or 2-meter lengths (the price difference between the two is quite small, so we recommend the longer one). It's a quality cable with good connectors and a braided nylon coating to ensure durability.
It supports a maximum of 100 watts , so you can use it to quickly charge your iPad, or to power the most powerful MacBook Pro currently on the market—although you will have to use its charger, of course.
See offer on AmazonUSB C
Nomad is another of the classic manufacturers of accessories for Apple devices. This USB C to USB C cable offers very good quality and the same nylon mesh that provides resistance and greater appeal compared to the classic plastic one. Likewise, it offers charging up to 100 W, data transfer at 10 Gbps and 4K video.
See Nomad USB C to USB C cableBelkin Boost Charge
Belkin is another classic manufacturer of accessories for iPhones and other Apple products. This USB-A to Lightning cable supports fast charging of 18W or higher, depending on whether you're using it with an iPhone or iPad that has that connector. There's also a USB-C to Lightning option , so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
View Belkin Boost ChargeFast chargers for iPhone and iPad
As with cables, chargers from other brands may be more interesting than Apple's own for reasons such as price or number of connections, with which you could charge several devices at the same time if you need it. And yes, they will ring a bell because they are practically the same brands seen before.
Anker Dual Charger
With two USB-A ports , this Anker charger allows you to quickly charge two devices simultaneously. Each port delivers 24W of power.
View Anker Quick ChargerAnker Power Port C Charger
This Anker multi-charger isn't so much a portable option as it is a home charging station for multiple devices. It offers four USB-A ports and one USB-C port, delivering up to 60W of power— ideal for devices like a MacBook. And, of course, it's also suitable for iPads and iPhones, though the charging speed would be limited to the device's maximum.
View Anker Power Port COfficial Apple Dual Charger
This dual charger isn't the cheapest you'll find, but it is an official Apple product. It's a power adapter with a maximum output of 35 watts . You can charge two devices simultaneously using a USB-C cable, which is sold separately.
The range of Apple products supported by this charger is incredibly diverse. As we mentioned at the beginning of this post, you'll be able to quickly charge your iPhone 8 or later. Furthermore, this charger can charge almost all iPads released in recent years at a decent rate. Similarly, Apple also considers this charger suitable for charging its entry-level laptops. In this case, you can use it to recharge your MacBook Air M1 and M2 , as well as some Intel-based laptops like the 2018 MacBook Air and MacBooks from 2015 to 2017.
This charger is sold directly on the Apple website and at official stores and distributors. It costs around €65 , so you might prefer to consider some more affordable alternatives.
Aukey USB-C charger
With two USB-C connectors , this Anker charger offers two 18W outputs, allowing you to quickly charge an iPhone and any other device when used simultaneously. If you only use one connection, the maximum power output is 36W . An interesting option if you also want to take it with you everywhere.
Verg charger Aukey Dual USB CIs fast charging bad for the battery?
With fast charging, no matter how much time passes, there will always be those who question whether fast charging is harmful or not. The answer is no, fast charging does not damage your smartphone's battery . Even less so if you use quality cables and chargers.
In other words, the devices are already prepared to withstand this type of load and include protection mechanisms so that more power does not enter than what really has to enter. Therefore, using a good charger and quality cables is very important. Because if not, then yes we could have problems.
So, if at some point they tell you that it is better to use the charger that includes your iPhone with its 5 W instead of one that offers faster charging, do not listen. It is true that if you are not in a hurry, you will not care about one or the other, but you will not spoil or last less battery by using fast charging daily.
Bad charging habits are more detrimental than fast or classic charging could be. Hence, it is interesting not to frequently reach percentages below 15% or always be between 80% and 100% battery. Ideally, throughout daily use, the battery always moves between 20% and 100% of the total charge. This way you guarantee that all the ions that make up the battery act.
By the way, all this is applicable to the rest of the devices. But taking into account that some Android phones already support higher charges than iPhones, to take advantage of it you will have to see the manufacturer's documentation to opt for specific cables and chargers such as those of OnePlus, Huawei or Xiaomi, for example. And if not, you can also take advantage of the wireless charging that the phones offer as well.
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