iPhone X charging with 2.4A

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Level 1

9 points

iPhone X charging with 2.4A

Hi I have read a lot about iPhone X fast charging and I have learnt that the most cost effective way to achieve fast charging is to use an 12W iPad charger to achieve "near" fast charging as opposed to 30W USB-C power adapter + USB-C to Lightning cable.

Now my question is since iPhone X can draw 2.4A/5V from an iPad charger (which I don't have), can I use any random power adapter that output 2.4A/5V and get the same result? Or iPhone X will fallback to 1A?

My other alternative to achieve near fast charge is to use my MacBook Pro (late 2016) with 4 USB-C + a USB-C to Lightning cable and I read that it can achieve 15W (which should be faster than 12W iPad charger) but I would love some clarification on this.

Thanks.

iPhone X, iOS 12.1

Posted on Dec 1, 2018 4:43 PM

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Answer 1

Dec 2, 2018 12:03 AM in response to CNLee90

The only official guidance on fast charging in regard to iOS devices is contained here:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208137

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Answer 2

Philly_Phan

Level 7

20,737 points

Dec 1, 2018 6:00 PM in response to CNLee90

Yes, you can use "any random charger" as the USB interface is an industry standard. At the same time, I recommend that you get a name brand "random charger" rather than a dime-store special.

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Answer 3

Philly_Phan

Level 7

20,737 points

Dec 1, 2018 6:12 PM in response to CNLee90

CNLee90 wrote:

...as I read somewhere that iPhone X will only draw 2A from an Apple/Apple-compatible power adapter.

That doesn't make sense to me but I bought a Rambler once so what do I know? Seriously, I think that you will get the 2.4A but, if you think about it, that's not really much more than 2 amps, especially considering that that's the rate only when your battery voltage is low. The charging rate tapers down as the battery gets charged.

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Answer 4

CNLee90 Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 1, 2018 6:07 PM in response to Philly_Phan

Well I meant say if I were to use a Samsung phone charger that's rated at 2.4A/5V, will my iPhone draw 1A or 2A as I read somewhere that iPhone X will only draw 2A from an Apple/Apple-compatible power adapter.

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Answer 5

CNLee90 Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 1, 2018 7:01 PM in response to Philly_Phan

Ah I found the source here https://www.quora.com/Can-I-charge-my-iPhone-with-a-2-4-A-charger where an answer from Dave Martindale seemed to imply iPhones will only draw >1A from an Apple power adapter.

I guess I just have to test it out, do you know of any app that measures the rate of charging? 😀

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Answer 6

CNLee90 Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 2, 2018 12:21 AM in response to panchososa694

Thanks! I have actually read that article before but I don't want to buy a new USB-C power adapter and a new cable. Quite some number of articles have proven that a 12W iPad charger is only about 10% slower than "true" fast charge but I was just wondering would I be able to reproduce the result of 12W iPad charger with third party ones.

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Answer 7

Dec 2, 2018 12:26 AM in response to CNLee90

Proven is a word I'd use lightly with third party information. This is the information provided directly by Apple who designed and built the devices in question. I think they're more likely to know what they're talking about.

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iPhone X charging with 2.4A

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