Apple says the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are upgraded with USB-C charging capability compared to the previous generation. A new test from the YouTube channel Xiaobai's Tech Reviews shows this difference quite clearly when placed next to the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
In the test, iPhone 18 Pro Max can charge from 0% to 100% in 55 minutes with the appropriate charger. Meanwhile, iPhone 17 Pro Max takes about 81 minutes to complete the same process.
Thus, the iPhone 18 Pro Max shortens the full charge time by about 26 minutes compared to the previous generation. Note that after the screen displays 100%, the phone continues to receive a small amount of power, so the actual charge time can continue to be extended.
Notably, iPhone 18 Pro Max reaches 50% battery after only about 15 minutes, instead of about 20 minutes on iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Charging power reaches 52W
The test also recorded that iPhone 18 Pro Max achieved a maximum charging power of about 52W in the first 12 minutes. This number is higher than the 36W level previously recorded by ChargerLAB when testing iPhone 17 Pro Max in 2025.
Charging speed then gradually decreases as battery capacity increases. This is how the system manages the charging process to limit the temperature increase and protect the battery. The smaller iPhone 18 Pro version is also announced by Apple to support similar charging speeds.
To achieve the fastest charging speed, Apple says iPhone 18 Pro users need a charger from 60W or more, supporting Voltage Adjustment (AVS) technology. The 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with a maximum power of 60W is one of Apple's accessories that meets this requirement.
However, the benefits of fast charging upgrades depend on how users use the device. For people who often charge their phone overnight, the time difference is not too significant. Meanwhile, people who regularly have to charge fast in the middle of the day can better take advantage of this acceleration capability.
