I did a few quickie tests with that Apple 20W power adapter and USB-C-to-Lightning cable that I talked about the other day. Charging my third-generation iPad Air, the new 20W charger took it from 52% charge to 57% in just seven minutes, whereas the old 13W charger and USB-A cable was able to get it from 66% to 68% in the same timed seven minutes. So 5% vs. 2%.
On the newer iPhone 13 Pro, the 20W charger and USB-C cable took the charge percentage from 31% all the way to 48% in exactly 10 minutes, whereas with the old 13W charger and USB-A cable it went from 48% to 52% in the same timed 10 minutes. So that's 17% of charge vs. only 4% in 10 minutes.
You don't have to pay "the Apple tax." Amazon sells a pair of generic 20W power adapters that are very inexpensive. But don't forget to get the right cable. Be sure to look for that MFi certification.
The new charger/cable combo really is a lot better if you're scrambling and need to add a little juice in a hurry.
Mike
'Golden Oldie' Books o' the Week
I was going to link to The Life of a Photograph by National Geographic ace Sam Abell, the book version of Sam's video talk we've been discussing, but guess what? Sold out since we mentioned it the other day. You can still score one of the few remaining copies of the 4-volume Sam Abell Library from 2013, but buy it directly from the publisher—they still have it at the $75 publication price (I called them in Santa Fe to check), and Amazon is already charging four times more. We need a reprint of Sam's classic Stay This Moment!
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Featured Comments from:
Larry Gebhardt: "Your tests should be from the same starting point. As batteries get more full they charge slower. It's possible some of the slow down from the lower power charger is actually due to the battery not being able to accept even that lower rate of charge."
Mike replies: Okay: starting at 68%, I charged for a timed 10 minutes using the 13W power adapter and USB-A cable, and reached 70%.
Then I ran the phone back down to 68% by playing Dave Chappelle videos, and charged for 10 minutes using the 20W adapter and USB-C cable, and reached 76%.
Same outlet, same temperature, about 14 minutes between the two tests, and it was the same phone.
Watch out with those comparisons. I'm sure the heftier charger supplies more juice, but charging rate varies with the state of charge in the battery as well as the available charging current. Unless you're starting at the same base, they aren't exactly comparable. Also, the phone itself may be regulating how fast it charges in order to minimize battery heating.
Posted by: Bill Tyler | Wednesday, 28 September 2022 at 02:31 PM
Should use those small but fast GaN charger if you want speed and size. But there are many things going into that charger and get a better one to avoid fire etc. hazard.
Posted by: Dennis Ng | Saturday, 01 October 2022 at 01:27 AM