"12 watt" vs "5 watt" charger on iPhone 6 Plus

[Azzin]

I've seen my 5s charge a lot quicker using the iPad charger. If there's a real source for the 'can't take the charge any faster' claim, I'd like to see it.

I honestly don't think you have.

Take at look at this post, where the iPhone is refusing anything over 5W from a MacBook Pro.

Of course the device dictates how quick it charges. It's the same voltage just capable of more possible current. I'm an Electrical Engineer, I know how a fricking battery charger works .

I'm not sure what you're saying there, but if it can/will only accept a 5W charge, it doesn't matter whether you've got a 5, 10, 12, or 1 million (exaggerated to prove a point) watt charger on the end, it will on,y ask for 5W.

 

[ElectronGuru]

The maximum charge rate for lithium ions cells, depends on the cell's size:

http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/what_is_the_c_rate

"Most portable batteries are rated at 1C, meaning that a 1,000mAh battery that is discharged at 1C rate should under ideal conditions provide a current of 1,000mA for one hour. The same battery discharging at 0.5C would provide 500mA for two hours, and at 2C, the 1,000mAh battery would deliver 2,000mA for 30 minutes. 1C is also known as a one-hour discharge; a 0.5C is a two-hour, and a 2C is a half-hour discharge."


http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/charging_lithium_ion_batteries

"Li-ion does not need to be fully charged, as is the case with lead acid, nor is it desirable to do so. In fact, it is better not to fully charge, because high voltages stresses the battery. Choosing a lower voltage threshold, or eliminating the saturation charge altogether, prolongs battery life but this reduces the runtime. Since the consumer market promotes maximum runtime, these chargers go for maximum capacity rather than extended service life."

 

[ToroidalZeus]

I just checked my MacBook Pro and it's showing 2100 mA or 11.55W being used for my 6.

 

[coolfilmaker]

They should included the higher chargers then with the 6, especially the plus

My guess is that they're trying to figure out how to put more power into the smaller adapters. The UK and Australian iPhone adapters have more than enough room.

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I just checked my MacBook Pro and it's showing 2100 mA or 11.55W being used for my 6.

Are you using Yosemite?

 

[ToroidalZeus]

Are you using Yosemite?

Yes; Latest Beta Version.

 

[BeeJee]

i saw somewhere that the 5s and before only pulled the normal 5w even with a 12w charger.

But only the 6 & the 6 Plus can charge faster than the 'out of the box' 5W charger yes?

So if I stuck my 5S on charge using my 12W Apple charger (which I do), it wouldn't charge any faster than charging it with the supplied 5W wall plug yes?

But using the same 12W Apple charger to charge my 6 Plus will charge it faster than the one that comes in the box?

My 5s definitely charged faster with the 12w iPad charger. Haven't tried it with the 6 yet.

 

[Azzin]

My 5s definitely charged faster with the 12w iPad charger. Haven't tried it with the 6 yet.

Ok, but according to the specs of your phone, it can/will only ever draw 5W, whether you've got a 5, 10, or 12W charger plugged in to it.

It's got to be placebo, but the only way to test is to charge from empty using the 5W and then the 12 charger.

 

[Shadowbech]

Isn't it better to charge slowly than to charge faster? I've heard some say that charging slower makes your battery health stay strong opposed to charging faster will deteriorate your battery health faster.

I could be wrong but I would like to hear some of your opinions on what you think?

 

[Newtons Apple]

This is pretty interesting. I'm debating whether I should use the 5W or the 12W.

I use my iPad Air charger to charge all of my devices. Phone, iPod and Air.

It will just be fine.

 

[Mercenary]

Isn't it better to charge slowly than to charge faster? I've heard some say that charging slower makes your battery health stay strong opposed to charging faster will deteriorate your battery health faster.

I could be wrong but I would like to hear some of your opinions on what you think?

Yes and no. What causes damage is heat and if charged too quickly this can generate more heat and thus more damage. You shouldn't worry though as your phone battery isn't going to charge that fast. Plus, while it may feel warm this is a good thing as what your feeling is the heat being drawn away from the battery by the aluminium housing.

 

[Azzin]

I use my iPad Air charger to charge all of my devices. Phone, iPod and Air.

It will just be fine.

Me too, I also bagged some cheap 12W Apple chargers from the Apple store to replace all the 5W chargers I've got round the house.

 

[jpcarro]

I've been charging my iPhones 4S, 5, 5s, and now 6 on the iPad 12w chargers for years. Some of these phones have been kept in the family past warranty and we've seen no battery issues.

All the iPhones pull more amps from the 12w charger and charge faster with only slightly more heat. If you use your phone intensively while 12w charging, it will get even warmer. But, you would have to do this consistently to shorten battery life.

 

[TraceyS/FL]

My 4 was at 2% when I plugged it in last night to my 10w iPad charger. I got a phone call 15 minutes later and it was up to 46%.

When my kids unplugged it while we were in ca to charge their mini, they moved my cord to a 5w charger. In 2 hours it wasn't fully charged yet.

It might be mental, but my phone charges faster with the iPad charger. I've seen it.

My phone must be broken?

Thankfully I can share my 12w air one with the new 6!

 

[Azzin]

All the iPhones pull more amps from the 12w

What equipment did you use to test this?

 

[coolfilmaker]

Yes; Latest Beta Version.

Yeah. They said it's only enabled in Yosemite.

 

[Daniel L]

Yeah. They said it's only enabled in Yosemite.

I don't think it's Yosemite that's allowing the extra current. Probably just a coincidence where they're using a Macbook loaded with Yosemite.

 

[Mercenary]

My 4 was at 2% when I plugged it in last night to my 10w iPad charger. I got a phone call 15 minutes later and it was up to 46%.

When my kids unplugged it while we were in ca to charge their mini, they moved my cord to a 5w charger. In 2 hours it wasn't fully charged yet.

It might be mental, but my phone charges faster with the iPad charger. I've seen it.

My phone must be broken?

Thankfully I can share my 12w air one with the new 6!

That's because all iPhones fast charge to 80% and then trickle charge.

There is evidence all over the Internet and myself included that anything other than a 6 only takes 5w/1amp. Anyone noticing their iphone3/4/5 charging faster with an iPad charger is purely imagining it. I have tested this several times and can say 100% that an iPhone charger charges is the same time.

I'm talking official chargers. Those knock offs often only output half that of the official apple ones.

 

[2IS]

iPhone 5 results below... Looks like those claiming placebo are correct.

EDIT: Pics didn't show up... working on it

EDIT2:

 

[cynics]

What equipment did you use to test this?

Assuming the context was 12w versus a lower wattage then you can use your brain to measure it.

i = p / v

As long as voltage remains a constant, higher watts = higher amps.

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For those of you that swear your iPad charger charges your iPhone (non 6 model) faster you really need to check your cables.

Adding the slightest amount of resistance can have a noticeable effect. I had a few 6' chinese cables and plugged into the same outlet (wall mount built in USB) a new OEM cable can charge my phone in half the time.

 

[2IS]

Assuming the context was 12w versus a lower wattage then you can use your brain to measure it.

i = p / v

As long as voltage remains a constant, higher watts = higher amps.

Watts don't get forced into the phone like volts do, so no, you can't just look at the wattage of the charger and assume it's all going into the phone. Unless I'm misunderstanding what you're saying.

 

[Azzin]

iPhone 5 results below... Looks like those claiming placebo are correct.

EDIT: Pics didn't show up... working on it

EDIT2:
Image

Image

Nice one, thanks for that.

That should hopefully put to rest the "My 10/12W iPad charger charges my iPhone faster than the standard 5W charger" myth.

 

[edlex]

My 6+ charges faster with the 12w than with the 5w but the fastest charging is with my anker 40w desktop charger with smart iq.

 

[cynics]

Watts don't get forced into the phone like volts do, so no, you can't just look at the wattage of the charger and assume it's all going into the phone. Unless I'm misunderstanding what you're saying.

You are. I was quoting another member that was quoting someone else. Although I'm not sure what you mean anyway. I was stating, given a constant voltage, when watts increase, amps increase.

 

[craigc_]

I have used a 12w charger with my 5s and now 6 and both get a full charge very quickly. I very rarely charge my phone with the included adapter unless I am borrowing a friends.

 

[Azzin]

Assuming the context was 12w versus a lower wattage then you can use your brain to measure it.

i = p / v

As long as voltage remains a constant, higher watts = higher amps.

----------

For those of you that swear your iPad charger charges your iPhone (non 6 model) faster you really need to check your cables.

Adding the slightest amount of resistance can have a noticeable effect. I had a few 6' chinese cables and plugged into the same outlet (wall mount built in USB) a new OEM cable can charge my phone in half the time.

No.

As I understand it, the *DEVICE* takes the current it was designed to take.

In the case of an iPhone, this is 5W, regardless of the fact that there may be a 12W charger plugged in to the mains-the iPhone will only take the 5W it was designed to take and therefore won't charge any faster when connected to a 10 or 12W charger.