Charging times using chargers > 20W

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Charging times using chargers > 20W

Many posts here claim using chargers with higher wattage than the customary 20W does not power the iPad Pro any faster.

My persistent experience is that while the old 10/12W chargers used to fully charge an iPad Pro in 6 hours, the newer 20W would do the job in 4. (Because, math!)

That said, plugging my 65W laptop charger into my iPad Pro charges it in a whopping fast two hours time — similar to the charging curve of a fast-charging iPhone Pro Max.

My question: Why are so many experts here so convinced that using a higher wattage charger results in charging an iPad Pro no faster than Apple’s 20W charger? A quick search reveals a myriad of these claims as official answers to similar questions. It’s abundantly clear that at least the iPad Pro is indeed capable of drawing a higher amperage when given the appropriately powered source, and I wish some would update their knowledge base to include this truth.

iPad Pro

Posted on Dec 3, 2025 1:12 PM

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Answer 1

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LotusPilot

Community+ 2025

Level 10

301,424 points

Dec 4, 2025 5:16 PM in response to TashTish

Some recent models of iPad (and iPhone) are capable of charging at faster charge-rates when using USB-C Power Adapters rated at 40W or greater. Many earlier high-end models support fast charging at ~20W when charging from USB-C power sources that support USB PD (Power Delivery).

If you are searching ASC and other online resources, you will doubtless encounter posts that state fast charging is limited to ~20W when using USB PD compliant power sources - this being completely accurate at the time. Faster charging of up to ~40W is a relatively recent enhancement.

In summary, the maximum supported fast charge rate is determined by the internal charging hardware and associated battery - this being different between device models.

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