Apple iPhone 17 Series Fast Charging Remains at 35W: A "Toothpaste" Approach to Charging Speed and Battery Life

Apple iPhone 17 Series Fast Charging Remains at 35W: A "Toothpaste" Approach to Charging Speed and Battery LifeAnalyst Jeff Pu's report reveals that the highly anticipated Apple iPhone 17 series will not feature a significant fast-charging upgrade, maintaining its wired charging speed at 35W. This news is undoubtedly disappointing to users hoping for a substantial improvement in charging experience

Apple iPhone 17 Series Fast Charging Remains at 35W: A "Toothpaste" Approach to Charging Speed and Battery Life

Analyst Jeff Pu's report reveals that the highly anticipated Apple iPhone 17 series will not feature a significant fast-charging upgrade, maintaining its wired charging speed at 35W. This news is undoubtedly disappointing to users hoping for a substantial improvement in charging experience. However, analyzing Apple's "toothpaste" approach to fast charging reveals potential underlying reasons and considerations.

The report's mention of 35W charging is unclear, leaving ambiguity regarding whether this is the average or peak charging power. Even assuming it's the average power, the charging efficiency isn't exceptionally impressive. The iPhone 16 series boasts a peak charging power of approximately 30W under normal conditions, increasing under high load, but never exceeding 40W. This means the charging speed difference between the iPhone 16 and 15 series is negligible.

Based on this information, the iPhone 17's 35W charging power is likely the peak power at low battery levels. This strategy improves charging speed at low battery percentages but offers limited overall charging time reduction. This explains Apple's slow progress in fast charging technology, consistently avoiding significant advancements.

Apple's incremental upgrade strategy isn't entirely without merit. Users can continue using their existing 30W chargers and cables, avoiding the extra cost of higher-wattage chargers. The difference in actual charging speed between a 30W and a higher-wattage charger (e.g., 45W) is not dramatic unless users prioritize extreme charging speed; hence, the $50+ cost of a 45W charger may be unnecessary for most.

Nevertheless, Apple's fast charging performance consistently lags behind the industry, significantly slower than other high-end smartphone manufacturers. Even the relatively small-battery iPhone 16 Pro takes over 100 minutes to fully charge. In contrast, many Android phones with larger batteries often charge in under an hour.

While battery technology has significantly advanced, increasing battery capacity, faster charging can dramatically improve user experience by rapidly replenishing power. Apple's conservative approach to fast charging may relate to its overall design and user experience philosophy. They might prioritize innovation in other areas, such as camera technology and processor performance, relegating fast charging to a secondary position.

Apple users have long accustomed themselves to the company's incremental approach to fast charging. While this strategy has shortcomings, it also avoids potential risks associated with extreme fast charging, such as excessive heat generation and reduced battery lifespan. Apple likely prioritizes battery safety and longevity, accepting a trade-off in charging speed.

For wireless charging, the iPhone 17 series is expected to continue supporting up to 25W MagSafe wireless charging. Similar to wired charging, wireless charging speed isn't an Apple strength, lagging behind the higher-wattage wireless charging supported by some Android phones.

In summary, the Apple iPhone 17 series continues its "toothpaste" approach to fast charging, maintaining a 35W charging power without substantial improvement. While this avoids extra costs and potentially reduces battery wear, it keeps Apple behind competitors in charging speed. This is disappointing for users prioritizing extreme charging speeds, but acceptable for those satisfied with Apple's stability and user experience. Apple's conservatism reflects its unique product strategy and user experience considerations, requiring a holistic understanding. Apple's slower pace in fast charging isn't unreasonable, reflecting a balance with overall product strategy and user experience; this "slowness" might be a form of Apple's "fast." Apple maintains its lead in overall performance, system stability, and other aspects. For Apple users, the slower charging speed can be offset by other advantages. Ultimately, it depends on individual priorities. Some prioritize overall smoothness and system stability over charging speed; while others seeking ultimate charging speed may consider other brands.