Despite rumors suggesting Apple's 2018 iPhones might ship with an 18W adapter and a Lightning to USB-C cable to enable fast charging right out of the box, that didn't end up being the case.

The iPhone XS, XS Max, and iPhone XR ship with the same standard 5W Power Adapter that's traditionally included with iPhone models. The three devices also include a standard Lightning to USB-A cable, despite the fact that Apple's current Mac lineup has been transitioned to USB-C.

iphonepoweradapter
Those who want to use fast charging on the new 2018 iPhones will continue to need to purchase an 18W+ power adapter and a USB-C to Lightning cable.

There are plenty of third-party 18W+ power adapters on the market (or you can get a 30W MacBook charger from Apple for $49), but Apple sells the only certified Lightning to USB-C cable at this time. Apple is planning to let other manufacturers make these cables, but third-party USB-C to Lightning cables aren't expected until next year.

With fast charging, iPhone models are able to charge to 50 percent battery life in a 30 minute time span. iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR all support fast charging.

Top Rated Comments

whyamihere Avatar
95 months ago
Wow, the same 5W since 2007 on the newest biggest bestest battery in an iPhone ever. Courage.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
elhungarian Avatar
95 months ago
I don’t mind having a slower charger included as standar, as the normal charge cycle happens overnight and the slower you charge the better the charge. That still holds true for lipos too up to a certain point. The bummer is that any extra charger to fast charge from Apple is overpriced. Thank goodness for Anker.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mildredop Avatar
95 months ago
Why bother including a charger in the box when it's only 5W and the cable can't even plug into any Mac that Apple currently sell?

Seriously, they should have just removed the charger and said "And it works with your old iPhone charger or you can buy a fast charger."
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jonnyb098 Avatar
95 months ago
Wow, another nice middle finger from Apple. Wonder how many days it'll take the iPhone Excess Max to charge.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
matjamca Avatar
95 months ago
Apple has lost a sale this year. I was going to get the XS Max, but the cost and penny pinching is too much of a bitter pill to swallow.

Apple used to get £900 a year from me for each Plus upgrade I bought. Now they’ll get £367-£550 a year depending on whether I upgrade every two or three years.

I hope millions of other customers do the same. That’ll certainly impact their ASP and hopefully make them think twice.

I really love Apple products but they are certainly challenging customer loyalty with their greed.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple Knowledge Navigator Avatar
95 months ago
LOOOOOOOOOL

Guess Tim needs those moneys. Even funnier than when Steve Jobs said the 2010 MBP had "killer graphics" (GeForce 320)
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Where's the New Apple TV?

Monday December 22, 2025 11:30 am PST by
Apple hasn't updated the Apple TV 4K since 2022, and 2025 was supposed to be the year that we got a refresh. There were rumors suggesting Apple would release the new Apple TV before the end of 2025, but it looks like that's not going to happen now. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said several times across 2024 and 2025 that Apple would...
apple intelligence black

Report: Apple's AI Strategy Could Finally Pay Off in 2026

Tuesday December 30, 2025 9:01 am PST by
Apple's restrained artificial intelligence strategy may pay off in 2026 amid the arrival of a revamped Siri and concerns around the AI market "bubble" bursting, The Information argues. The speculative report notes that Apple has taken a restrained approach with AI innovations compared with peers such as OpenAI, Google, and Meta, which are investing hundreds of billions of dollars in data...
apple fitness 2026 1

Apple Teases 'Something Big' Coming Soon to Apple Fitness+

Tuesday December 30, 2025 2:11 pm PST by
The Apple Fitness+ Instagram account today teased that the service has "big plans" for 2026. In a video, several Apple Fitness+ trainers are shown holding up newspapers with headlines related to Apple Fitness+. What's Apple Fitness+ Planning for the New Year? Something Big is Coming to Apple Fitness+ The Countdown Begins. Apple Fitness+ 2026 is Almost Here 2026 Plans Still Under ...
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Next Year With These 12 New Features

Tuesday December 23, 2025 8:36 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another nine months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models. The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras Under-screen Face ID Front camera in...
maxresdefault

Hands-On With a Rough iPhone Fold Mockup

Monday December 29, 2025 10:55 am PST by
Apple is rumored to be introducing a foldable iPhone in September 2026, and since it will bring the biggest form factor change since the iPhone was introduced in 2007, curiosity about the design is high. A 3D designer created an iPhone Fold design based on rumors, and we printed it out to see how it compares to Apple's current iPhones. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more ...
iphone 17 pro dark blue 1

iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max Users Report Static Speaker Noise While Charging

Tuesday December 30, 2025 10:39 am PST by
iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max owners are having trouble with the speakers of their devices, and have complained about a static or hissing noise that occurs when the iPhone is charging. There are multiple discussions about the issue on Reddit, the MacRumors forums, and Apple's Support Community, where affected users say there is a noticeable static noise "like an old radio." Some people report...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Monday December 22, 2025 8:47 am PST by
Earlier this month, Apple released iOS 26.2, following more than a month of beta testing. It is a big update, with many new features and changes for iPhones. iOS 26.2 adds a Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more. Below, we have highlighted a total of eight new features. Liquid Glass Slider on Lock Screen A new slider in the Lock...
airpods color prototypes

Apple Tested AirPods in Bright Colors

Saturday December 27, 2025 6:06 am PST by
Apple reportedly tested a version of the first-generation AirPods with bright, iPhone 5c-like colored charging cases. The images, shared by the Apple leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami," claim to show first-generation AirPods prototypes with pink and yellow exterior casings. The interior of the charging case and the earbuds themselves remain white. They seem close to some...