iPad Pro iPad Pro 11-inch charges faster with 29W/30W adapter than 87W

[DeanL]

Hello!
I conducted tests, and it seem like the optimal charger for the 11-inch iPad Pro is the 29W.
The 87W outputs less wattage than the 29W, and I suspect that it's because only the 29W charger has the right combination of voltage/amps to achieve the max power the iPad Pro can take.

Can anyone else test this to confirm?

 

[profets]

Yup, been some discussion on this since last year.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/87w-usb-c-charger-doesnt-charge-12-9-ipad-pro-29w.2015416/

Sounds like it's the same for the 2018 based on your testing.

 

[BeatCrazy]

Correct, because the 87w charger doesn’t support USB Power Delivery at 15V/2A (i.e. 30watts).

 

[GDF]

Hello!
I conducted tests, and it seem like the optimal charger for the 11-inch iPad Pro is the 29W.
The 87W outputs less wattage than the 29W, and I suspect that it's because only the 29W charger has the right combination of voltage/amps to achieve the max power the iPad Pro can take.

Can anyone else test this to confirm?

Thanks - did you also test how much faster the 29W charger charges compared to the one that came with the iPad 11? Just curious.

 

[DeanL]

Yup, been some discussion on this since last year.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/87w-usb-c-charger-doesnt-charge-12-9-ipad-pro-29w.2015416/

Sounds like it's the same for the 2018 based on your testing.

Correct, because the 87w charger doesn’t support USB Power Delivery at 15V/2A (i.e. 30watts).

Apple needs to change the wording of their support documents because it gives the impression that all chargers above the one that comes with the iPad are equal when they're not. https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT209186#charge

 

[profets]

Apple needs to change the wording of their support documents because it gives the impression that all chargers above the one that comes with the iPad are equal when they're not. https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT209186#charge

Agreed.

...and you might see faster charging...

Lol, thanks Apple, that certainly clarifies things.

 

[BeatCrazy]

Apple needs to change the wording of their support documents because it gives the impression that all chargers above the one that comes with the iPad are equal when they're not. https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT209186#charge

Which part of that doc is incorrect? The 61w/81w MacBook chargers will still charge these new iPads faster than the old 10/12w style.

 

[profets]

Which part of that doc is incorrect? The 61w/81w MacBook chargers will still charge these new iPads faster than the old 10/12w style.

It's not incorrect, but it's not very clear at all either. Someone with the 61W or 87W charger might think they're going to get a faster charge when in reality they're going to get 12W.

From the site:

If you have a higher-wattage USB-C power adapter — such as the one that came with your Mac notebook — you can use it with iPad Pro, and you might see faster charging. You can also charge iPad Pro by connecting it to the USB-C port on your computer.

You might also see slower charging.

 

[BeatCrazy]

It's not incorrect, but it's not very clear at all either. Someone with the 61W or 87W charger might think they're going to get a faster charge when in reality they're going to get 12W.

From the site:


You might also see slower charging.

Well, there are several factors at play. If the iPad is at >50% charge, the max it will pull is about 10w regardless of which charger you’re using. Also, there are actually two different 61w USB-C chargers (A1947 and A1718). The A1947 will charge the new iPads at 30w (15v/2A) So, there are few caveats to be aware of.

 

[Applicationz]

Hello!
I conducted tests, and it seem like the optimal charger for the 11-inch iPad Pro is the 29W.
The 87W outputs less wattage than the 29W, and I suspect that it's because only the 29W charger has the right combination of voltage/amps to achieve the max power the iPad Pro can take.

Can anyone else test this to confirm?

How about the 18w supply given with it?
How long does it take?

 

[DeanL]

Well, there are several factors at play. If the iPad is at >50% charge, the max it will pull is about 10w regardless of which charger you’re using. Also, there are actually two different 61w USB-C chargers (A1947 and A1718). The A1947 will charge the new iPads at 30w (15v/2A) So, there are few caveats to be aware of.

Not true. Just tried with my iPad at 60% and it pulled 30W

 

[BeatCrazy]

Not true. Just tried with my iPad at 60% and it pulled 30W

What are you using to measure draw? And when are you seeing it drop below 30w?

 

[masotime]

Apple needs to change the wording of their support documents because it gives the impression that all chargers above the one that comes with the iPad are equal when they're not. https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT209186#charge

To charge iPad Pro, connect the included USB-C cable to the device's USB-C port and to the included 18W power adapter. Then plug the adapter into a wall outlet.

If you have a higher-wattage USB-C power adapter — such as the one that came with your Mac notebook — you can use it with iPad Pro, and you might see faster charging.

Apple doesn't promise greater than 18W charging, which is exactly what the new iPad Pros ship with. I'm not saying I agree with Apple, but they are not saying anything wrong. It's not even particularly misleading - they never mentioned 30W charging in that web page.
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Not true. Just tried with my iPad at 60% and it pulled 30W

This chart may be useful, but admittedly for the previous generation of iPad Pros - https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/29w-fast-charging-tests-and-3rd-party-adapters.2052414/.

I could re-test everything again, but it's a little tedious.

 

[CB98]

I’ve got a 30 watt charger for fast charging my iPhone X, so would you all reckon that when I get my new iPP that using the 30 watt charger for that and the 18 watt for the iPhone would make sense?

 

[DeanL]

What are you using to measure draw? And when are you seeing it drop below 30w?

I'm using this voltage and amperage meter

 

[BeatCrazy]

I'm using this voltage and amperage meter

Perfect. So at what battery % does it drop to less than 30w?

 

[Applicationz]

Anyone? 18w charging time?

 

[DeanL]

Apple doesn't promise greater than 18W charging, which is exactly what the new iPad Pros ship with. I'm not saying I agree with Apple, but they are not saying anything wrong. It's not even particularly misleading - they never mentioned 30W charging in that web page.
[doublepost=1541898493][/doublepost]

This chart may be useful, but admittedly for the previous generation of iPad Pros - https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/29w-fast-charging-tests-and-3rd-party-adapters.2052414/.

I could re-test everything again, but it's a little tedious.

Just tried it at 77%, and it's charging around 14.3 v at 1.65 a which is 23.6 watts, so still well above 10 watts
[doublepost=1541903138][/doublepost]

Anyone? 18w charging time?

Sorry, I haven't even used the 18 W charger yet haha! Since I had a bunch of 29 W I just used them right away. I can test it when my battery is depleted

 

[masotime]

Just tried it at 77%, and it's charging around 14.3 v at 1.65 a which is 23.6 watts, so still well above 10 watts

I can corroborate that it does appear to charge at faster rates even at higher percentages (I currently have the 12.9”)

It would seem the adopting the USB-C port has brought additional advantages. It would have been better if the iPad supported 20V charging though - then the 61W / 87W chargers should be able to deliver 30W charging as well (via 1.5A).

 

[lbass]

Hi everyone, I would really appreciate a comparison between the 18w and 87w charger if anyone has the equipment to do so.

 

[pepperjobs]

Hello!
I conducted tests, and it seem like the optimal charger for the 11-inch iPad Pro is the 29W.
The 87W outputs less wattage than the 29W, and I suspect that it's because only the 29W charger has the right combination of voltage/amps to achieve the max power the iPad Pro can take.

Can anyone else test this to confirm?

36W (15V/2.4A) is the best for 2018 iPad Pro.