Accessories
Fast Charging Explained: Which Charger and Cable Your Phone Actually Needs
Get a 20–30W USB-C PD charger for any iPhone, and a 25W charger with PPS for Samsung. Here's why, and which cable to pair it with.
For any iPhone from the iPhone 8 up, get a USB-C Power Delivery (PD) charger of 20W or more. For Samsung Galaxy, get a 25W charger that supports PPS (45W for Ultra models). Pair it with a certified cable. Anything bigger is fine but won't charge faster.
Quick answer
- iPhone: 20W+ USB-C PD. 30W if you use MagSafe on an iPhone 16 or newer.
- Galaxy S / A: 25W USB-C PD with PPS.
- Galaxy Ultra (S22 Ultra and newer): 45W PD with PPS, plus a 5A cable.
- Pixel: 27W+ USB-C PD (Pixel 8 and newer).
Watts, simply
Watts is how much power the charger can push. Your phone decides how much to take. A 65W laptop charger won't hurt a phone that wants 20W; the phone just takes 20W. A 5W cube will charge anything, just slowly.
What each phone needs
| Phone | Fast charging | Charger to buy | Cable |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 8 to iPhone 14 | About 50% in 30 min | 20W+ USB-C PD | USB-C to Lightning (MFi certified) |
| iPhone 15 and newer | About 50% in 30 min | 20W+ USB-C PD | USB-C to USB-C |
| iPhone 16 and newer on MagSafe | Up to 25W wireless | 30W+ USB-C PD + new MagSafe charger | Built in |
| Galaxy S and A series | "Super Fast Charging" 25W | 25W USB-C PD with PPS | USB-C to USB-C |
| Galaxy S22 Ultra and newer Ultras | "Super Fast Charging 2.0" 45W | 45W USB-C PD with PPS | USB-C 5A cable |
| Pixel 8 | 27W | 30W USB-C PD | USB-C to USB-C |
The terms that matter
- USB-C PD (Power Delivery): the fast charging standard almost every modern phone uses. If a charger doesn't say PD, skip it.
- PPS (Programmable Power Supply): a part of PD that Samsung needs for its fastest charging. Look for "PPS" on the box.
- MFi: Apple's certification for Lightning cables. Uncertified Lightning cables can stop working after an update or damage the port.
- Qi2: the new magnetic wireless standard based on MagSafe. Works with iPhone 13 and newer and a growing number of Android phones.
- GaN: a charger technology that makes chargers smaller and cooler. Nice, not required.
Does fast charging hurt the battery?
Not in a way you'll notice. Phones fast charge to about 50–80%, then slow down to protect the battery. Heat is the real enemy. Charge on a hard surface, not under a pillow, and take thick cases off if the phone gets hot.
Turn on Optimized Charging (iPhone) or Adaptive Charging / Protect battery (Android) so your phone waits to finish charging until you need it.
Cables: cheap is expensive
- Any decent USB-C to USB-C cable handles phone charging (60W cables are plenty, except Galaxy Ultra 45W which needs a 5A cable).
- Avoid no-name gas station cables. They fray, overheat, and are a common cause of damaged ports. See phone not charging?
- Braided cables last longer in bags and cars.
Wireless charging
Convenient, slower, and warmer than a cable. Great for bedside and desk. Make sure your case is MagSafe or Qi2 compatible if you use magnetic chargers.
Shop accessories
Get chargers, certified cables, cases and screen protectors in our accessories shop. Every refurbished phone we sell is tested for charging speed and port health.
FAQ
What charger do I need for an iPhone?
Any USB-C Power Delivery charger of 20W or more. Use a USB-C to Lightning cable for iPhone 14 and older, or USB-C to USB-C for iPhone 15 and newer.
Can I use a laptop charger for my phone?
Yes, if it's USB-C PD. The phone only takes the power it needs.
Why isn't my Samsung super fast charging?
The charger probably doesn't support PPS, or the cable isn't rated for it. Use a 25W (or 45W for Ultra) PD charger with PPS and a good USB-C cable.
Is fast charging bad for my battery?
Not meaningfully. Heat does more damage than charging speed. Use the built-in battery protection settings.
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