Fast-charging on Apple's new iPhone 8 and iPhone X
By David Flynn, September 15 2017
Low smartphone battery levels are a serious pain point for business travellers, so it's no surprise that Apple's promise of fast-charge technology in the new iPhone 8, 8 Plus and iPhone X models will be a drawcard for many buyers of the shiny kit.
Already an established feature of the best Android smartphones, fast-charging lets you quickly top up the battery with just a short period plugged into any handy AC socket.
Apple says the iPhone 8, 8 Plus and iPhone X will juice up from flat to 50% (which translates to about another six hours) in just 30 minutes – which could be a brief recharge in an airport lounge, during a meetings or even at the local cafe.
But here's the catch: Apple won't provide the necessary fast-charge kit in the box, even if you shell out a hefty $1,829 for the flagship iPhone X.
Instead, you'll need to buy a special Apple charger fitted with a USB-C connector – the same type of connector which enables fast-charging on the likes of Samsung and Huawei phones, and which those phones bundle from the get-go.
Apple sells three USB-C chargers rated at outputs of 29 watts, 61 watts and 87 watts – which sell from to $69 to $109, although it's unclear if the modest 29W charger has sufficient oomph to deliver the promised "zero-to-50% in 30 minutes" capability.
Oh, and you'll also need a USB-C to Lightning cable to connect the USB-C AC charger to your iPhone. That's another $35, thanks.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
13 Jan 2015
Total posts 580
At the end of the day people can do what they like with their own money. If they buy into all of apple's hype for old tech then that's their decision to be ripped off with every purchase. As an android person I would never waste my money on anything from apple (especially not $2k on a phone that'll probably die after a year or 2) but I piss away money on things that other people would consider to be a waste.
05 May 2016
Total posts 616
I've had iPhones that have lasted for several years. In fact I know people who have the iPhone 5 and are only considering upgrading to a newer iPhone because Apple is stopping software updates for it and they need more storage capacity.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 May 2014
Total posts 35
Every iPhone that I've used have (or had) a life of more than 4 years - significantly longer than any of the Android phones that my parents used. Add to the annoying Android system that many of the iOS users find unable to navigate (myself included)....
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
23 Mar 2015
Total posts 53
iPhones last for years and get continuous system updates. It's most Android phones that wither on the vine, abandoned by their makers and vendors with old operating systems.
03 May 2012
Total posts 120
The 29W charger is not modest, in a relative sense. The new iPad Pros do not charge any differently whether they use a 29, 61, or 87, and my Pro gets to 50% in about 40 mins on the 29W. That is because all the USB-C chargers are able to push the 14.5V/2A output that is the max that even the 12.9 Pro can handle. It is very unlikely that the much smaller battery on the iPhone will differentiate between the chargers. If the 29W charger gets the beast battery on the 12.9 Pro to 50% in about 40 mins, it will get the little battery on the iPhone there in 30.
29 Mar 2014
Total posts 78
29W should be more than enough. Samsung uses a 15W system, OnePlus, the fastest, has 20W. Biggest ever, was Moto, 30W.
Velocity
23 Feb 2016
Total posts 21
Look I'm keen to get the new iPhone X so I'm hardly one to talk - but it's hard not to feel gouged by a death of a thousand dongles!
05 May 2016
Total posts 616
It'll be interesting to hear real world reports of how fast charging affects the life of the battery. For those who keep their phones a long time a shorter time before the battery needs replacing could be a big drawback. However if you replace your phone every few years that's not so big of an issue.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
23 Mar 2015
Total posts 53
Millions of users who own 2015/17 USB-C MacBooks and MacBook Pros, already have USB chargers and the laptops themselves deliver enough power to charge phones via the USB-C sockets on the machines. USB-C is rapidly becoming the global charging standard so a charger purchase now will not be wasted. I no longer carry any additional chargers at all, as my MacBook Pro plus a couple of leads charges everything I travel with.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Oct 2014
Total posts 691
For this sort of money, why have a 'corded' charger in the first place? I would expect better.
High end Nokia / Microsoft Lumia models (circa 2013) employed the industry-standard, cordless Qi charging system using a mat. You just put down your handset on the mat and it charged automatically. Without a cord. Yet another example of an 'industry-leading' Apple playing catch-up with it's competition - and stinging the public in the process.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
23 Mar 2015
Total posts 53
You clearly don't read before you comment! All the new iPhones have Qi wireless charging and Apple are extending and improving the Qi standard. Starbucks and others are adding in-store Qi charging because the iPhone has it.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Oct 2014
Total posts 691
Some salient points to your post:
The only innovation here is the ability for marketing to fool so many people. Sorry if you don't like my post - but I'm sure you'll respect it accordingly - despite your disagreement.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Oct 2014
Total posts 691
Oh, and BTW, given that "Apple refine, do it better" etc, when do you think we might see a high-end OLED screen on the iPhone? Or is that being held up the sleeve for next years release (with another price increase)? A shame, given that many competing non-Apple handsets have OLED as a matter of course.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Jun 2015
Total posts 57
The iPhone X does indeed have an OLED screen.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Mar 2012
Total posts 211
Yes, but not sure why the regular 8's don't, except perhaps they could get enough of them from Samsung. It also arms a huge extra asking price for the better screen when so many phones already have OLED screens
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Mar 2012
Total posts 211
Oops...couldn't get enough
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
23 Mar 2015
Total posts 53
While I of course respect high to post, it's quite clear from this little rant that really don't read anything. The X has the first high-end OLED screen made. As Ars Technica said: "Apple’s iPhone X has the best phone display I have yet seen": Why bother commenting on something you clearly know nothing about?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Oct 2014
Total posts 691
Nice attempt at a 'comeback' but you still fail to answer the above points:
For AUD$1825+, I would certainly expect the Apple X to have an OLED screen .. and at the current exchange rate, I would also expect this on the lower (and probably more popular) Apple 8 Plus and Apple 8. After all, there is a huge price premium for all 3 models, compared to their Apple antecedents .. and similar highend handsets from other competing manufacturers.
As said, Apple marketing at its best. Please feel free to see how much your "loyalty" is costing you. Start with the AUD vs USD price. An AUD$1825 handset, plus the add-in costs for accessories'.
Nup, I'm not interested in supporting 'marketing' for companies whose Australian taxable income share is questionable .. nor products which lag the more innovative.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Oct 2014
Total posts 691
"The X has the first high-end OLED screen made."
That is clearly debatable. The Lumia 920 (of the 'dodo' type) had a high-end OLED screen in 2013. Also the Lumia 1030, which when introduced in mid-late 2014 had not only a superior OLED screen but also a 40Mb pixel camera.
High-end OLED has similarly been available on Samsung and a range of competing top-level Android phones as well. Perhaps the Ars Technica reviewer either needs to review his/her bias .. or at least research the overall market rather than giving 'personal' opinions?
10 Jul 2017
Total posts 32
im waiting on blackberry to make a comeback
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
23 Mar 2015
Total posts 53
Anyone know how to edit posts when you have made a typo?
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
23 Mar 2015
Total posts 53
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Oct 2014
Total posts 691
Yay ! At least we agree on something, robol. +1
When the redesign of AUSBT was introduced, this was initially possible. Now it only extends to posts made in the Community Forum, rather than the 'published' articles forum. It would be great to have a consistent 'edit' function across the board.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
23 Mar 2015
Total posts 53
Hey kimshep, yes I wanted to go back and tone my last comment down (-: fun sparring with you. Off to do some work now so got to leave this thread to other people. Fly well
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum
07 Feb 2013
Total posts 548
The deluded apple fanboys will still pay it - twice the price for features samsung had over a year ago - insane.
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