Apple iPhone 16 Pro to support improved fast charging via USB-C and MagSafe

Over the past few months, there have been several rumors about the expected battery upgrades of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, ranging from a higher capacity to improved battery chemistry for a higher energy density. A stainless steel casing is expected to make battery replacement easier and prevent batteries from being punctured and bursting into flames.

The latest rumors now suggest that the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max can be charged much faster than the iPhone 15 Pro, and the metal casing of the batteries should help to dissipate the waste heat more effectively. Specifically, the rumors speak of a 40 watt fast charge via USB-C, while the iPhone 15 Pro is limited to around 27 watts. Apple is expected to increase the wireless charging power from 15 watts to 20 watts, although new MagSafe chargers will probably be needed in order to benefit from this upgrade.

Such an upgrade is long overdue: smartphones such as the Realme GT6 can charge a much larger 5,800 mAh battery from 0 to 50% in just twelve minutes, while the iPhone 15 Pro takes almost half an hour to charge its much smaller 3,274 mAh battery to 50% and almost two hours for a full charge (according to DxOMark's analysis). Wirelessly, it even takes 2:41 hours to fully charge an iPhone 15 Pro, as charging power is reduced to around 9 watts after one hour in order to limit heat development.