iPhone Air's USB-C Charging Speeds Tested With Apple Chargers - MacRumors
Skip to Content

iPhone Air's USB-C Charging Speeds Tested With Apple Chargers

As it did with the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Max, ChargerLAB has tested the iPhone Air's USB-C charging speeds with a variety of Apple chargers.

iPhone Air 3D Printed USB C Feature
In the test, the iPhone Air reached a peak charging speed of around 18W to 19W.

For comparison, ChargerLAB found the standard iPhone 17 reached a peak of 27W to 28W, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max reached a peak of around 36W.


Like the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple says the iPhone Air can be charged up to 50% in 30 minutes with a compatible 20W or higher charger. For comparison, Apple says the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max can charge up to 50% in 20 minutes, so the iPhone Air charges a bit slower. However, slower charging also means less heat will be generated, which is good for long-term battery health.

Related Roundup: iPhone Air
Buyer's Guide: iPhone Air (Neutral)

Popular Stories

iphone 17 models

Apple Raises Prices of iPhone 16, iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17e

Wednesday September 9, 2026 11:39 am PDT by
Behind today's iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo announcements, Apple has raised the prices of the existing iPhone 16, iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17e on its online store. The new starting prices for the three models now look like this: iPhone 16: $799 (+$100) iPhone 17e: $699 (+$100) iPhone 17: $899 (+$100) iPhone Air: $1099 (+$100)So that's a $100 price hike on all four...
iphone air 2

iPhone Air 2 Could Replace iPhone 18, Sketchy Rumor Claims

Tuesday September 8, 2026 4:23 am PDT by
Apple may be considering scrapping the standard iPhone 18 entirely and rebranding the iPhone Air 2 as its new $999 entry point when the more affordable iPhone models launch in spring 2027, a sketchy rumor claims. The claim comes from the X account "Early Apple," who said Apple is "exploring the idea" of having the Air 2 simply take over the iPhone 18 name and price point rather than...
iPhone Air One Year Later Thumb 1

iPhone Air Review: One Year With Apple's Super Thin $999 iPhone

Tuesday September 1, 2026 4:35 pm PDT by
It's been almost 12 months since Apple launched the iPhone Air, and because MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera has been using it daily since launch, he decided to do a one-year review covering what it's like using Apple's super-thin iPhone on a long-term basis. The iPhone Air is the thinnest iPhone Apple has released to date, and the form factor doesn't get old. It's pocketable, can be used...

Top Rated Comments

cocky jeremy Avatar
13 months ago

There will never be a portless iPhone
Saying "Never" about technology is kind of funny.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BelgianChoklit Avatar
13 months ago
I wish this had been the first portless iPhone.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
13 months ago

Yet another thing the Air is worse at
I am VERY happy with mine.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Reeneman Avatar
13 months ago

Exactly. My sister for example got a 15 Pro last year, she told me she has never ever plugged it in when she asked me to put her phone up for charging while she was busy the other day. I told her I can’t find a cable anywhere (only lightning cables for her son who has an iPhone 13). She then told me to put it on the wireless one that I hadn’t seen initially. When she got out of the bedroom she told me she’d never ever plugged it in. She’s also lucky to have wireless CarPlay.
Dream for me still would be:
- E-sim only (if we got a bigger battery)
- No ports
- No buttons but touch sensitive frame
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tomtad Avatar
13 months ago
Yet another thing the Air is worse at
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
13 months ago

I charge my phone while I sleep so if I could find my old 5w charger I would use that for my Air 😂 slower is usually better for the battery (less heat)
This. I don't think the charging speed matters that much. I wake up with a full charge every day and have no issue even with an older phone like the iPhone 13 and just a 10W Qi charger.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)