How much power does the usb-c port in the macbook pros deliver?

[unagimiyagi]

Hi,

Couldn't find this information, but just want to know if the newest macbook pro's type c port charge an iphone as fast as the older usb-a macbook pros. What is the power output of the usb-c ports? 5 watts, or 12 watts, 18 watts? I think USB is always 5 volts, but the current could be .5A 1A, 2.1A, or even more.

What I really care about is if there is a regression in charging speed when using the latest macbook pros. I actually have come to use my laptop (old mbp 2015) to charge my phone alot and it's quite fast (2.1A I believe).

 

[iMacDragon]

it goes at least as high as the 2015, I think usb c output spec on it is 15w max, via usb a I think it limits to 12w.

 

[meme1255]

USB-C has more voltages levels. The highest mode is 20V @ 5A.

 

[iMacDragon]

USB-C has more voltages levels. The highest mode is 20V @ 5A.

I meant the macbooks usb c output, I don't think it outputs anything but 5v at upto 3A ( 15W )

 

[unagimiyagi]

Thank you, but does anyone know what power output level Apple has elected to give their usb-c port's outputs? iMacDragon, so you're saying that I can expect to charge the iphone with 15Watts of power? If so, not bad at all!

 

[iMacDragon]

Thank you, but does anyone know what power output level Apple has elected to give their usb-c port's outputs? iMacDragon, so you're saying that I can expect to charge the iphone with 15Watts of power? If so, not bad at all!

It certainly gives 12W to iphone.

 

[unagimiyagi]

Great, well that is good to hear, b/c most laptops don't do that. They give 5W, i.e., they slow charge.

 

[unglued]

I don't know for sure but I know the latest MacBook Pro's are all USB 3.1 Gen 2 which is also USB PD and supports up to 5A/100W. That would make sense because all USB ports on the latest MBP's are also Thunderbolt 3 which is 100W.

 

[iMacDragon]

I don't know for sure but I know the latest MacBook Pro's are all USB 3.1 Gen 2 which is also USB PD and supports up to 5A/100W. That would make sense because all USB ports on the latest MBP's are Thunderbolt 3 which is 100W.

They can accept upto 87W, but not deliver.

 

[unglued]

They can accept upto 87W, but not deliver.

I see, I was thinking the device being charged will draw as much power as it is spec'd out for. Maybe somebody here with the latest MBP can check System Information and see what the USB controller spec. is.

 

[iMacDragon]

They could not possibly deliver 100W, there would be no power to run the laptop itself.

PD spec is a negotiation, device can ask for x amount of power, and device providing power will respond I can give you upto y amount. I can't find the help page right now, but for macbook that is 15w per side if only one device plugged in, ot 7.5 per device if two.

 

[LogicalApex]

My guess on the reason Apple won't say for certain is that this can vary based on conditions. I am not lucky enough to have another USB C Mac laptop to cross test hooking up and seeing how it gets reported. But I imagine a 15" 2018 MBP would deliver over 50W via USB while plugged in and "passing through" what is isn't using from its charger to the next device. That would be considerably less on battery though as otherwise its would drain the MBP battery faster than you can say Macbook lol.

 

[iMacDragon]

apparently this page: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207443 used to say almost what I described, but has been removed at some-point to be more generic without promising anything specific ( the following I have found quoted from that page: MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2016) and MacBook (13-inch, Late 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports) can power two devices that use up to 15 watts, and two more devices that use up to 7.5 watts. It doesn't matter which side of your MacBook Pro that they're connected to—power is delivered on a first-come, first-served basis. )

 

[robvas]

Here's what Coconutbattery says on my 13" when I plug it into my 15" using the USB-C cable from the Apple charger. Charges it with 15 watts.

 

[unagimiyagi]

Thank you this is all helpful!

 

[prometheus12]

Here's what Coconutbattery says on my 13" when I plug it into my 15" using the USB-C cable from the Apple charger. Charges it with 15 watts.

Fantastic tool!! Thanks for sharing

 

[ndouglas]

What about USB C vs the Magsafe, anyone know which on charges faster? Or maybe they’re about the same…

 

[prometheus12]

From the coconutFlavour site

For iOS devices: The faster your battery is charged the more this affects battery health in a negative way. Charging via USB will often be better for the battery as using a wall charger.