Today’s “I’ll believe it when I see it” iPhone rumor-mongering concerns not the iPhone itself, but its charger—the most important accessory you’ll find in its meticulously crafted packaging. As the speculation goes, Apple is allegedly considering bumping up the default charger for the iPhone 9 or iPhone X2: iPhones United (or whatever) from 5W to 18W.
I’m skeptical, because I don’t think Apple gives two shits about helping its customers charge their devices faster—not when it can charge more for adapters that support faster charging speeds.
After all, Apple could upgrade all of its iPhone’s chargers right now—tossing a speedier 12W charger in the box for the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, or iPhone X, for example. A 29W charger is the sweet spot for all three iPhones, but I doubt Apple would ever be that generous. This is the same company that demands an extra $20 for a different keyboard color, after all.
If Apple proves me right—or if you’re just looking for a way to charge your iPhone even faster right now—let’s recap the basics:
Which Apple power adapter should you get?
If you’re apprehensive about buying any third-party charger—a justified fear, though you’ll probably be safer sticking with a reputable brand over an eBay knock-off—here’s what Apple offers:
Apple 5W USB Power Adapter ($19)
Comes in the iPhone box
Requires a USB Type A to Lightning cable (comes in the iPhone box, too)
Slowest possible charge for your iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X
Don’t buy this (when Apple’s 12W USB Power Adapter costs the same amount)
Apple 12W USB Power Adapter ($19)
Should come in the iPhone box, but doesn’t (but does come with an iPad or iPad Pro)
Requires a USB Type A to Lightning cable (comes in the iPhone box)
Performs similarly to higher-watt chargers for the iPhone 8; slower for the iPhone 8 Plus; and slowest for the iPhone X (but still a lot faster than the 5W charger)
The best budget charger you should buy from Apple
29W USB-C Power Adapter ($49)
Doesn’t come with your iPhone, but does come with your standard-issue MacBook
Requires a USB Type C to Lightning cable (not in the iPhone box; starts at $19 from Apple)
Fastest charger for your iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X; more expensive chargers match it, but don’t beat it
Buy this, even though you’ll spend nearly $70 to double your iPhone’s charging capabilities
61W USB-C Power Adapter ($69)
This comes with your 13-inch MacBook Pro
Requires a USB Type C to Lightning cable (not in the iPhone box; starts at $19 from Apple)
Don’t buy this to charge your iPhone, because it’s not any faster than the 29W charger
If you aren’t using it to charge your MacBook Pro, feel free to use it to charge your iPhone
87W USB-C Power Adapter ($79)
This comes with your 15-inch MacBook Pro
Requires a USB Type C to Lightning cable (not in the box; starts at $19 from Apple)
You really, really shouldn’t buy this to charge your iPhone.
You can use it to charge your iPhone, but it’s a wee overkill, no?
What about wireless charging?
This one’s easy. If you’ve upgraded your iPhone to iOS 11.2—and there’s no reason not to, unless you have an older device that simply can’t—you’ll now be able to enjoy 7.5W wireless charging on your iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X. (That’s a 2.5W increase over pre-iOS 11.2 devices.)
So, when you’re looking for a Qi-compatible wireless charger, make sure it can output at least 7.5W for an iPhone. (Some can output 10W, but will note in tiny print that only 10W is supported on Android devices and everything else gets 5W.)
You can always get a wireless charger that does more, but you’ll be future-proofing. Your iPhone can only charge so quickly, much like how plugging your device into a 87W USB-C Power Adapter won’t make it charge any faster than the 29W Power Adapter.