Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max Charging Compatibility Test: ChargerLAB Overview
Apple’s recent launch of the iPhone 15 series has ushered in a significant shift in its charging technology, as the company has transitioned to a USB-C port. This change enhances compatibility with a wider range of devices and accessories. The iPhone 15 Pro Max, featuring a robust 4852mAh battery and bundled with a braided USB-C to USB-C charging cable, is already making waves in the tech community.
Charging Compatibility Test Overview
In our latest assessment, we put the iPhone 15 Pro Max through the ChargerLAB Compatibility 100 test, examining its performance with over 100 charging devices. This extensive evaluation includes Apple’s own chargers, various third-party options, power banks, and portable charging stations, ensuring a comprehensive overview of its charging capabilities.
Apple Chargers
Starting with Apple’s offerings, we tested the 29W charger (model: A1540). According to ChargerLAB POWER-Z KM003C, this charger can deliver 14.5V at 1.75A, translating to approximately 25.43W of power to the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Our tests revealed that while most Apple chargers operate at the 9V3A level, the 29W variant stands out by exceeding 25W thanks to its unique fast-charging strategy.
When visualizing the data, the 29W charger comes out on top, demonstrating a slight edge over higher-rated chargers. Even the 20W model reaches its specified limits, with overall power output remaining stable around the 25W mark.
Third-Party Chargers
Next, we explored third-party chargers, focusing on the AOHi 140W charger (model: AOC-C012), which delivered 8.98V at 2.98A—equating to 26.72W of power. Repeatedly, our tests indicated that all evaluated chargers primarily output power at the 9V3A level.
A graphical representation of the results reveals two primary charging power categories for the iPhone 15 Pro Max: 18W and 27W. The lower figure is determined by the charger’s capabilities, while the higher figure is limited by the phone’s charging architecture. Notably, the HONOR 65W charger fell short, consistently delivering only 17W.
Power Banks
Moving on to power banks, we found that all tested models, except for the IDMIX Magnetic 10000mAh, activated the 9V voltage level. Again, our data visualization confirmed that the power output hovers around 25W, indicating that power banks designed for PD 9V/3A are adequate for meeting the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s charging needs.
Power Stations
Lastly, we examined power stations, which typically come with USB output ports rated at 60W or 100W. Predictably, all tested devices also triggered the 9V voltage level, with no instances of 5V detected. The charging power for the iPhone 15 Pro Max remained consistent at around 25W across various chargers, power banks, and other devices.
ChargerLAB Findings
Overall, whether using Apple’s chargers or third-party options rated at 30W or higher, the iPhone 15 Pro Max consistently achieves its maximum charging capacity around 25W. This level of compatibility places it among the best in the market today. However, it’s worth noting that in a competitive landscape where many Android devices boast charging speeds of 45W, 100W, or even 200W, the iPhone’s maximum output may feel somewhat limited.
As we look ahead, there’s hope that future iterations will address this aspect, providing users with an enhanced charging experience that aligns with their expectations for a premium device in this price range. Below, you can find the detailed results from our ChargerLAB Compatibility 100 test.
