We Tested 33 New Phones to See Which Charge Fastest and Crown 2 Winners
CNET • • general
Key Points:
- Apple's iPhone 17 Pro is the fastest overall charging phone tested, benefiting from a smaller 4,252-mAh battery and supporting 40-watt wired and 25-watt Qi2.2 wireless charging speeds.
- Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra leads in wired charging speed with 60-watt support, charging 76% in 30 minutes despite its larger 5,000-mAh battery, and also offers 25-watt Qi2.2 wireless charging.
- Silicon-carbon batteries, used in some phones like the OnePlus 15, enable higher capacity and faster charging speeds, but are currently limited in availability and mostly found in select Chinese and Motorola models.
- Wireless charging speeds have improved with the adoption of Qi2 and Qi2.2 standards, reaching up to 25 watts, with magnetic alignment (e.g., Apple’s MagSafe) enhancing charging efficiency and consistency.
- To achieve the fastest recharge speeds, users need compatible power adapters and chargers that match their phone’s maximum supported charging rates, with USB-C adapters and Qi2/Qi2.2 wireless chargers recommended for optimal performance.