Latest rumor calls for some iPhone 15 models to support faster 35W charging

The iPhone 15 series will soon be upon us and as we get closer to the rumored September 12th unveiling date, more specs are being "leaked." For example, 9to5Mac was told by "industry sources" that some of the new iPhone models will support charging up to 35W. This would be a nice hike over the 27W charging speed for the iPhone 14 Pro line and the 20W charging speed of the iPhone 14 non-Pro models.

The current 27W charging capabilities of the iPhone 14 Pro Max will take the 4323mAh battery from 0% to 100% in about two hours. The faster 35W charging speeds will mean quicker charging times using the new USB-C ports that will replace the proprietary Lightning ports on the 2023 iPhone models. Last year, Apple introduced a dual-port 35W USB-C charger that is priced at $59 in the App Store. As long as only one device is hooked up to the charger, if this rumor is true, this accessory will be able to charge the iPhone 15 line at full speed.

Since Apple does not include chargers in the box with a new iPhone, those of you planning on purchasing one of the iPhone 15 models being unveiled next month might want to buy the dual-port 35W USB-C charger for $59 from the Apple Store since it will take advantage of the iPhone 15 line's faster charging speeds. While 35W is faster than 27W and 20W, even at the rumored faster charging speeds, the iPhone 15 series will trail some of the faster charging smartphones available overseas.

All of the innovations involving super fast smartphone battery charging speeds have come out of China. The fastest-charging phone in the world right now puts the iPhone to shame even if this rumor is true. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Explorer has a 4300mAh cell that charges at an incredibly fast speed of 210W; the battery can charge from 0% to 100% in just nine minutes! Such fast charging generates heat which can shorten the lifespan of a battery. However, new techniques are being used to help with heat dissipation.

Earlier this year there were rumors, including one from highly respected TF International analyst Ming-Chi Kuo who said that Apple would limit faster charging speeds to those using MFi (Made For iPhone) certified third-party charging cables and chargers. And there is also some speculation that the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will charge at faster speeds than the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus.

For comparison purposes, we should point out that the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra supports charging as fast as 45W allowing the phone's 5000mAh battery to be charged from 0% to 100% in just under one hour. But no matter how you slice it, fast charging is a feature that Apple, Samsung, and Google must improve.