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iPad Pro 29W Fast charging tests and 3rd party adapters

jmpage2 said:
So is the consensus that there's still no 3rd party cable that will provide fast charging? For me fast charging would be a bit of a novelty but I would use it from time to time... not enough to pay the Apple tax on a 2M cable though.
Click to expand...

Nope - however if you are willing you can sometimes find good deals on eBay. For example I ordered this - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Apple-MK0X2AM-A-3-3-USB-C-to-Lightning-Charging-Cable/292174987631 - works out well so far.
 
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nameste said:
I got the apple 29w usb-c adapter yesterday and it works flawless and no heat at all.I should have never bought 3rd party product at the first place ...
Click to expand...

When it comes to power and cables, I prefer to just buy Apple. The extra cost is worth it for saving some hassle and aggravation.
 
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Brammy said:
When it comes to power and cables, I prefer to just buy Apple. The extra cost is worth it for saving some hassle and aggravation.
Click to expand...

It depends yes?

There are multiple advantages to third party options:
  • You can use power banks that fast charge
  • You can charge more than one device at a time with one charger
  • You can charge other non-Apple USB-C devices (Apple’s chargers support a limited set of the PD protocol)
  • They are potentially cheaper while still doing the job well.
Personally I’ve had no problems with most of the 3rd party options I’ve tested so far. This thread is great to share experiences of chargers that work well.

However for the USB-C to Lightning cable, I’d strongly recommend sticking with the Apple branded ones until proper MFi certified ones appear.
 
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masotime said:
It depends yes?

There are multiple advantages to third party options:
Click to expand...

Sorry, I should have been more clear. I meant for things like fast charging, or where power sensitivity is important. I won't use a 3rd party charger for my MacBook Pro 15, for example.
 
masotime said:
(10/8/2017) tldr; Chart of % gain over minutes for the Anker 30W charger described below, in case you just want to verify that your charger is charging at full speed.

View attachment 724470

---

Original post follows:

I finally managed to get my hands on both the 2nd gen iPad Pro 12.9" and the new iPad Pro 10.5", and I figured I'd run some tests on how they perform, both on the original Apple 29W USB-C to Lightning adapter, as well as some third party adapters.

I originally reviewed Anker's original 60W USB-C adapter, which reportedly supplies 29W of power to the 12" MacBook. Unfortunately it wasn't able to fast charge the iPad Pro.

With the new iPad Pros and the passage of time, I hoped that the situation would improve on both sides - Apple and 3rd Party adapters - so that 29W charging would be feasible without having to spend so much on Apple's 29W adapter. I did a quick search on Amazon, and I found 2 that looked promising:
The Aukey is cheaper and comes with an odd USB-C to 2 USB-A adapter, whereas the Anker has a more straightforward design.

Here are the electrical specifications:

Aukey

View attachment 704986

5V x 3A, 9V x 3A, 14.5V x 2A

Anker

View attachment 704987

5V x 3A, 9V x 3A, 15V x 2A, 20V x 1.5A

Apple (reference)

View attachment 704988

5.2V x 2.4A, 14.5V x 2A

The Anker is a little heavier, but seems better built, and also has the additional 20V output which would be suitable for MacBook Pros.
  • Battery Drain Methodology: I downloaded GFX Metal Bench and used the Battery loop test. I'm not sure if there's another tool that has a better way of draining the battery.
  • Power Drain Meter: I used the Zhurui PR10-E US15A. It seems to have a good review.
  • Cable used: Apple's official USB-C to Lightning cable, 1m
Here are the results of the testing:

iPad Pro 12.9" Gen 2

Battery Level: ~33%

View attachment 704991

All 3 seem to charge at 29W!

iPad Pro 10.5"

Battery Level: ~34%

View attachment 704992

Again, all 3 seem to charge at 29W, although it seems to be slightly lesser for the 10.5" iPad Pro.

Overall, I think this is good news! It looks like either the USB PD circuitry in the new iPad Pros or the 3rd party adapters are now in sync.

If you're deciding on which one to buy, the Aukey seems like a good option if you're on a budget. It's also lighter and has the option to convert to 2 USB-A ports, although that seems like a gimmick.

The Anker seems better built, and I suspect that the 20V output can be useful if you want to use it to charge the latest USB-C MacBook Pros.

Either way, I think it can be safely said that we no longer have to rely on the Apple 29W USB-C adapter to charge at full speed.

---

Data points / Special Note regarding 10.5"

@BeatCrazy has actually already tested the 10.5", but his results were different in that he got a reading of only 18W - ref https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/10-5-ipad-pro-fast-charging.2050391/page-3#post-24713109

I have done some quick tracking of the charging progression and here are some data points:
  • 0 mins - 35%, draw 30W
  • 10 mins - 46%, draw 30W, gain/min = 1.1% / min
  • 21 mins - 57%, draw 22W
  • 33 mins - 67%, draw 22W, gain/min = 0.83% / min
  • 40 mins - 72%, draw 18W
  • 48 mins - 77% draw 18W
It looks like the 10.5" iPad Pro switches to a lower charging rate (probably 9V/2A or 18W) once it goes past 50%. It seems to drop again after 70% to maybe 15W.

Follow up data points:
  • 0 mins - 78%, draw 18W
  • 6 mins - 82%, draw 22W (outlier?)
  • 31 mins - 93%, draw 7W
  • 47 mins - 96%, draw 3.8W
Once the iPad charge goes beyond 90%, the charging speed drops drastically.
Click to expand...

Wow!! What did you use to create that chart? Did you do in on iPad?
 
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I'd recommend the Anker 30W charger instead of those ZeroLemon/iClever/etc; it's on sale today for $21 with code BEST2079.
 
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Hey guys, got a 2nd charger for my iPhone 8, and can confirm with iPad pro 10.5" this charger plus apple cable will charge at 30w!
Charged my iPad and registered 33w from my power meter at 36% dropping to 21 after 50%
iClever Portable USB Type-C 30W Wall Charger with Power Delivery Adapter for Apple Macbook 12" 2015 (Not 2016), Galaxy Note 6, Nexus 5X/6P, HTC 10, LG https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CZLUIK8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_1mytA8NJ3KuBT
 
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I just purchased the Anker PowerPort+5 last week from Amazon UK and, contrary to prior reports, it does indeed fast charge my iPad Pro 10.5 at 15V/1.9A. Perhaps they updated the model? I noticed the product description on Amazon no longer says ‘incompatible with USB-C/Lightning cables’ where it used to.

Anyhow this is now my ideal charger, as it covers all bases :)

Model number says A2053 on the unit
E1DE890E-7570-4D65-AF9D-369F61FFABF4.jpeg
 
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y0zza said:
I just purchased the Anker PowerPort+5 last week from Amazon UK and, contrary to prior reports, it does indeed fast charge my iPad Pro 10.5 at 15V/1.9A. Perhaps they updated the model? I noticed the product description on Amazon no longer says ‘incompatible with USB-C/Lightning cables’ where it used to.

Anyhow this is now my ideal charger, as it covers all bases :)

Model number says A2053 on the unit
View attachment 729158
Click to expand...
Cool, thanks for posting. I always wondered why it said that.
 
y0zza said:
I just purchased the Anker PowerPort+5 last week from Amazon UK and, contrary to prior reports, it does indeed fast charge my iPad Pro 10.5 at 15V/1.9A. Perhaps they updated the model? I noticed the product description on Amazon no longer says ‘incompatible with USB-C/Lightning cables’ where it used to.

Anyhow this is now my ideal charger, as it covers all bases :)

Model number says A2053 on the unit
View attachment 729158
Click to expand...

Interesting....

I tested this combo in June (with iOS 11 beta) and it didn’t work.

I’ll retest, but my iPad is at 90% now so it won’t be low enough to charge for a bit.

The model number is the same as mine (and I’ve had it a while as it was bought for a 2015 MacBook)
 
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KrisLord said:
Interesting....

I tested this combo in June (with iOS 11 beta) and it didn’t work.

I’ll retest, but my iPad is at 90% now so it won’t be low enough to charge for a bit.

The model number is the same as mine (and I’ve had it a while as it was bought for a 2015 MacBook)
Click to expand...

I’m really looking forward to your test results. Keep us posted.
[doublepost=1509392391][/doublepost]
y0zza said:
I just purchased the Anker PowerPort+5 last week from Amazon UK and, contrary to prior reports, it does indeed fast charge my iPad Pro 10.5 at 15V/1.9A. Perhaps they updated the model? I noticed the product description on Amazon no longer says ‘incompatible with USB-C/Lightning cables’ where it used to.

Anyhow this is now my ideal charger, as it covers all bases :)

Model number says A2053 on the unit
View attachment 729158
Click to expand...

I presume that’s with a genuine Apple cable?
 
steve23094 said:
I presume that’s with a genuine Apple cable?
Click to expand...
Yes, the 2m official one bought direct from Apple.

I tried two “genuine” 1m cables from eBay but both were fakes and would only charge at 5V regardless of charger used, incl the 29W Apple charger.

And just to follow up, I also tried my first gen 12.9” iPad Pro with the Anker and official cable. This combo also works and charges at 15V/1.9A :)
 
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y0zza said:
Yes, the 2m official one bought direct from Apple.

I tried two “genuine” 1m cables from eBay but both were fakes and would only charge at 5V regardless of charger used, incl the 29W Apple charger.

And just to follow up, I also tried my first gen 12.9” iPad Pro with the Anker and official cable. This combo also works and charges at 15V/1.9A :)
Click to expand...

y0zza, what iOS is ur first gen ipad pro 12.9? I m assuming perhaps a software update has helped with this issue which is great for me!

Separately, I saw a review on amazon for this product that implied it would only fast charge the ipad pro with a usbc-lightning cable, when the other ports were not in use. Are you able to verify this since you have the right equipment too? Thanks :) Maybe plug in an iphone into a powerIQ port to charge with the ipad pro simultaneously on the usb-c port?

Edit: I pulled the trigger and got the apple 2m usb-c to lightning cable and it does indeed fast charge my ipad pro 12.9 (1st gen) in a similar fashion to the graph that masotime posted. In fact, it was slightly faster. it took me approx 5 mins less to charge it from 32% to 70% Woohoo! (even while my iphone was charging using 1 of the other 4 usb-A ports)
 
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y0zza said:
I just purchased the Anker PowerPort+5 last week from Amazon UK and, contrary to prior reports, it does indeed fast charge my iPad Pro 10.5 at 15V/1.9A. Perhaps they updated the model? I noticed the product description on Amazon no longer says ‘incompatible with USB-C/Lightning cables’ where it used to.

Anyhow this is now my ideal charger, as it covers all bases :)

Model number says A2053 on the unit
View attachment 729158
Click to expand...

Thanks for this ... can you confirm it's this item please?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anker-Premium-Charger-PowerPort-Delivery/dp/B01C89H12K
 
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iandustries said:
y0zza, what iOS is ur first gen ipad pro 12.9? I m assuming perhaps a software update has helped with this issue which is great for me!

Separately, I saw a review on amazon for this product that implied it would only fast charge the ipad pro with a usbc-lightning cable, when the other ports were not in use. Are you able to verify this since you have the right equipment too? Thanks :) Maybe plug in an iphone into a powerIQ port to charge with the ipad pro simultaneously on the usb-c port?

Edit: I pulled the trigger and got the apple 2m usb-c to lightning cable and it does indeed fast charge my ipad pro 12.9 (1st gen) in a similar fashion to the graph that masotime posted. In fact, it was slightly faster. it took me approx 5 mins less to charge it from 32% to 70% Woohoo! (even while my iphone was charging using 1 of the other 4 usb-A ports)
Click to expand...
Glad it’s working for you too. I checked and mine’s running iOS 11.0.2. Just tried plugging an iPhone and iPad in to two of the USB-A ports along with my 1st gen 12.9” iPad Pro and it still draws 15.1V/1.9A from the USB-C port. See pic - taken before I plugged in the second USB-A cable but still the same.

0577993B-6B98-4411-A0C9-E1E2D7DC0CF6.jpeg

MrGimper said:
Thanks for this ... can you confirm it's this item please?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anker-Premium-Charger-PowerPort-Delivery/dp/B01C89H12K
Click to expand...
Yes, that’s the one :)
 
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Will this Quick Charge work over Apple accessories (e.g. Lightning AV and USB 3 Camera Connection Kit) too?

If no one is sure, may I know how I can test this so that I can contribute to this thread? I am thinking of getting Apple's this weekend at the Apple Store
 
Am now testing Apple's charger with USB 3 Camera Connection Kit. An Anker Ethernet adapter is also connected to the CCK. I discharged the iPad entirely with GFX Bench before letting it charge while letting its screen be on.

Here's my preliminary data:
0% @ 0 minutes
30% @ 30 minutes
45% @ 60 minutes
83% @ 120 minutes
 
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