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t.n.d.

macrumors member
Original poster
May 20, 2021
36
4
Hi guys,

I'm looking to buy a new charger for my iPad Air 3.

From the official documentation it seems that the max wattage for it is 18W (it has PD fast charging).

But I came across this experiment here: https://www.inviolabs.com/blogs/new...rger-is-needed-ipad-air3-mini-5-charging-test

It seems the maximum wattage might be indeed almost double (30W).

There was also this test that was done on Reddit where it shows the charging power is around 15W: https://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comments/ba47dz
So does anyone know for sure which is the real value for this? I'm considering buying either a 30W adapter or a 20W adapter. If I buy one, I'd rather buy the faster one.

Thanks!
 

jakeuten

macrumors regular
Apr 5, 2016
203
249
Minnesota
Just buy the 30W one. No harm in that. FWIW, the iPad Pro 10.5 supported 30W charging and they're sort of the same device internally (same logic board layout and design).
 

Digitalguy

macrumors 601
Apr 15, 2019
4,634
4,461
As far as I know only USB 3.0 lightning devices support 30W, fast charging on the others is around 15-18watts... (and only iPad pro, except the 9.7, have 3.0)
 

jakeuten

macrumors regular
Apr 5, 2016
203
249
Minnesota
As far as I know only USB 3.0 lightning devices support 30W, fast charging on the others is around 15-18watts... (and only iPad pro, except the 9.7, have 3.0)
The iPhone 11 Pro Max was benchmarked at charging around 25W and is not USB 3.0. It seems that a charger limited to the 14.5V 2A standard can force a faster current, such as Apple's 29W charger (if you can find one).

 

Digitalguy

macrumors 601
Apr 15, 2019
4,634
4,461
The iPhone 11 Pro Max was benchmarked at charging around 25W and is not USB 3.0. It seems that a charger limited to the 14.5V 2A standard can force a faster current, such as Apple's 29W charger (if you can find one).

I have several Mac 12in chargers. They charge my 1st, 2nd and 3rd gen pro at 29w, my 9.7 pro at around 10 watts and my iPad mini at around 15w (fast charging but half that of the pro), based on my usb c power meter. I suspect that the air 3 behaves like the mini, but I don't have the air 3 to test...
 

AutomaticApple

Suspended
Nov 28, 2018
7,401
3,378
Massachusetts
Hi guys,

I'm looking to buy a new charger for my iPad Air 3.

From the official documentation it seems that the max wattage for it is 18W (it has PD fast charging).

But I came across this experiment here: https://www.inviolabs.com/blogs/new...rger-is-needed-ipad-air3-mini-5-charging-test

It seems the maximum wattage might be indeed almost double (30W).

There was also this test that was done on Reddit where it shows the charging power is around 15W: https://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comments/ba47dz
So does anyone know for sure which is the real value for this? I'm considering buying either a 30W adapter or a 20W adapter. If I buy one, I'd rather buy the faster one.

Thanks!
You will have no issues using a 30W adapter.
 
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