iPhone 17 Fast Charging: Up to 35W over USB-C

September 9, 2025

iPhone 17 40W Charging Upgrade

If you’ve been using the same 20W chargers that became standard with the iPhone 12, the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max support up to 40W wired charging over USB-C. With the right charger and cable, these models can now reach a 50% charge in about 20 minutes — a clear improvement over previous generations.

Important: iPhone Air continues to support up to 20W wired charging.

How iPhone 17 Reaches 40W Speeds

The iPhone 17 family uses USB-C Power Delivery (PD) to negotiate charging speeds. When you plug in, the charger lists what it can supply, and the iPhone selects the highest safe level.

iPhone 17, 17 Pro, Pro Max: Can request up to 40W.
iPhone Air: Capped at 20W, even if you use a higher-wattage charger.

This means faster charging is reserved for the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max, while iPhone Air continues with the familiar 20W speeds.

Cable Compatibility

All USB-C to USB-C cables rated 3 A (60W) are sufficient for all models.
5A (100W+) e-marked cables are not required, but useful if you also charge laptops.

Charging Speeds in Real Use

Apple’s charging curve delivers higher speeds in the 1-50% range, then tapers off to protect the battery.

iPhone 17, 17 Pro, Pro Max: Expect stable charging close to 40W sustained, making short top-ups significantly faster.
iPhone Air: Supports up to 20W wired charging, consistent with previous generations.

Requirements for iPhone 17 Fast Charging

1. A USB-C PD 3.1 (or newer) charger rated ≥40 W

For iPhone 17/Pro/Pro Max, 40–65W chargers give the phone room to negotiate its ideal profile.
For iPhone Air, anything above 20W won’t increase speed.

2. A good USB-C to USB-C cable

3A/60W cables are enough.
5A/100W e-marked cables are optional.
Look for USB-IF certified cables, as they are tested for safety and performance.

3. Smart charging habits

Plug directly into the wall.
Remove thick cases during fast charging.
Start your charge between 1%-50% for the fastest boosts.

Benefits in Daily Use

iPhone 17 family: A 10–15 minute charge gives a much bigger battery boost than older models.
iPhone Air: Still benefits from quick charging, but capped at 20W
One-charger travel kit: A compact PD charger can fast-charge your iPhone 17/Pro and still power a laptop.
Battery health: Apple’s charging curve avoids the stress of extreme wattages while still being much faster.

Compatibility with Existing Chargers

20W chargers: Work with every model; however, only iPhone Air achieves its full charging potential.
30W chargers: Suitable for iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max, but will not enable the full 40W charging capability.
65W and higher-rated chargers: Fully supported and safe to use. Power Delivery ensures the iPhone draws only the required amount.

iPhone Charging Evolution

Key Takeaway

The iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max introduce 40W wired charging and 25W Qi2 wireless charging, the biggest upgrade in years. Meanwhile, iPhone Air supports 20W wired and 15–20W wireless charging, delivering speeds in line with recent iPhone generations.

This makes the iPhone 17 family the best choice if charging speed is important to you — while the iPhone Air remains the more budget-friendly but slower option.