Charging times using chargers > 20W

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Level 1

35 points

Charging times using chargers > 20W

Many posts here claim using chargers with higher wattage than the customary 20W does not power the iPad Pro any faster.

My persistent experience is that while the old 10/12W chargers used to fully charge an iPad Pro in 6 hours, the newer 20W would do the job in 4. (Because, math!)

That said, plugging my 65W laptop charger into my iPad Pro charges it in a whopping fast two hours time — similar to the charging curve of a fast-charging iPhone Pro Max.

My question: Why are so many experts here so convinced that using a higher wattage charger results in charging an iPad Pro no faster than Apple’s 20W charger? A quick search reveals a myriad of these claims as official answers to similar questions. It’s abundantly clear that at least the iPad Pro is indeed capable of drawing a higher amperage when given the appropriately powered source, and I wish some would update their knowledge base to include this truth.

iPad Pro

Posted on Dec 3, 2025 1:12 PM

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Answer 1

TashTish Author

Level 1

35 points

Dec 4, 2025 3:31 AM in response to Rudegar

Well this is refreshing: So far you’re the only admitting this, despite the presence of the article.

This may be more pertinent to iPads:

Fast charge your iPad - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Rudegar

Level 10

180,060 points

Dec 3, 2025 3:13 PM in response to TashTish

no device will charge with higher watt than it was made to charge by

some newer devices can fast charge with higher current than 20watt devices can provide

you can read more about which how and why here

Fast charge your iPhone - Apple Support

the rest of us would have no more knowledge than what apple provides us with in their support pages.

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Answer 3

TashTish Author

Level 1

35 points

Dec 4, 2025 3:29 AM in response to Rudegar

Well this is refreshing: So far you’re the only admitting this, despite the presence of the article.

This may be more pertinent to iPads:

mFast charge your iPad - Apple Support

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Answer 4

Dec 4, 2025 5:16 PM in response to TashTish

Some recent models of iPad (and iPhone) are capable of charging at faster charge-rates when using USB-C Power Adapters rated at 40W or greater. Many earlier high-end models support fast charging at ~20W when charging from USB-C power sources that support USB PD (Power Delivery).

If you are searching ASC and other online resources, you will doubtless encounter posts that state fast charging is limited to ~20W when using USB PD compliant power sources - this being completely accurate at the time. Faster charging of up to ~40W is a relatively recent enhancement.

In summary, the maximum supported fast charge rate is determined by the internal charging hardware and associated battery - this being different between device models.

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