Charging iPhone 16

[jimmy156]

Hi all,

I've just bought an iPhone 16 after my second hand iPhone 7 finally threw in the towel.

Despite not being bothered by having the latest technology, I do quite enjoy new tech when I get it and am looking forward to testing out the new phone. I do tend to hang on to stuff for a while though, hence the iPhone 7, and having some charging questions.

I guess Apple had gone to USB-C as they have been told they need to have a universal charging lead? This might be helpful for people with lots of kit or who swap phones often, but I have a loads of lightened leeds and USB-A blocks and nothing else! So I guess I am going to need to buy a USB-C block.

- Is fast charging the battery a good idea for battery life? Considering I had my (second hand) iPhone 7 for about 5 years myself, am I better off not fast charging it if I want to keep it long term and preserve battery life?

- I do have 1 USB-A to USB-C lead (for charging a bike light) will this be okay plugged into a wall mounted USB socket for the iPhone?

- Is Anker the brand to go for for buying charging accessories? I am a little confused over what I need to get the best out of the charging capabilities in terms of blocks and leads!

[mikef]

Apple just launched a set of decent Beats cables, including USB-A to USB-C

I always do wireless charging these days, that might be a better bet

[jimmy156]

Thanks Mike,

I'd heard wireless charging was not great for battery longevity?

[flight147z]

jimmy156 said:

Thanks Mike,

I'd heard wireless charging was not great for battery longevity?

Problem with wireless is how slow it is. Rather than plugging your phone in for 30 mins you leave it on the wireless pad for like 2 hours. Also generates a lot of heat. I don't bother with it

[mikef]

jimmy156 said:

Thanks Mike,

I'd heard wireless charging was not great for battery longevity?

The iPhone 16 has charging limits and optimised charging, designed to preserve the battery

If you need a simple USB-C 20W wall charger, this one from Belkin has been OK

[Captain_Morgan]

If battery is a key point go to the battery settings & set the charge point to 80%.

You will top out at 80% and keep the battery life for longer if using up some usability but potentially needing additional charging.

[danb79]

I have this for my 16PM

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anker-Charging-PowerPort-...

But also have a Magsafe stand for both phone and AWU2

Both work as they should and charge the phone/watch correctly - both phone and watch manage the charing and only charge to 80% normally; unless run low and then they'll charge to full

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DT4GMTGG

If you do use Magsafe and use a case; obviously ensure the case is a magsafe one

[Somebody]

Like the OP, I’m the first in household to move away from lightning ports; so bought some lightning to usb-c adapters. Works for me. 3 for a fiver at Amazon.

[MitchT]

I just bought a 16 Pro. It didn't occur to me when I ordered it that the cable that came with it wouldn't fit the mains plug for my old iPhone 8, so I bought a couple of Anker USB-A to USB-C cables so I could continue using the old plugs. I also have an Anker wireless charging pad which I bought to use with my 8 at work as the battery wasn't lasting anymore.

I've heard that wireless charging can accelerate battery degradation (I don't know if there's any truth in that) so I'm going to resist using it with my 16 Pro until I know for definite that it won't. A useful feature of the 16 Pro and, I guess, any device running the latest iOS, is that you can limit charging to 80%, which helps battery longevity. It will occasionally charge to 100% with this activated, I guess to remind the battery of its full capacity.

[Ham_and_Jam]

MitchT said:

I just bought a 16 Pro. It didn't occur to me when I ordered it that the cable that came with it wouldn't fit the mains plug for my old iPhone 8, so I bought a couple of Anker USB-A to USB-C cables so I could continue using the old plugs. I also have an Anker wireless charging pad which I bought to use with my 8 at work as the battery wasn't lasting anymore.

I've heard that wireless charging can accelerate battery degradation (I don't know if there's any truth in that) so I'm going to resist using it with my 16 Pro until I know for definite that it won't. A useful feature of the 16 Pro and, I guess, any device running the latest iOS, is that you can limit charging to 80%, which helps battery longevity. It will occasionally charge to 100% with this activated, I guess to remind the battery of its full capacity.

One of the best developments in mobile phone tech is wireless charging. So easy to use both at home and in the car. I’ve been using it since my 13pro, I now also have a 16pro.

My battery lasted fine, using wireless charging every day for the 3 years I had it. Finally degraged to 80% battery life remaining before I upgraded.

I wouldn’t worry about it. You have a few of options at <80% battery life.

1. Live with it, it’s not that bad.
2. Upgrade, always a good excuse.
3. Worst case - Replace the battery. An official battery replacement from Apple is c.£100 and will give you another 3-5 years.

[Craikeybaby]

I usually charge my iPhone wirelessly, but when I do plug it in I use a new, higher power adapter and the phone charges so quickly. I would certainly advise buying a new adapter over reusing ones from old iPhones. If battery longevity is an issue, use the new features to stop charging at 80%.

[flight147z]

Craikeybaby said:

I usually charge my iPhone wirelessly, but when I do plug it in I use a new, higher power adapter and the phone charges so quickly. I would certainly advise buying a new adapter over reusing ones from old iPhones. If battery longevity is an issue, use the new features to stop charging at 80%.

This is why I don't get wireless charging. It's too slow

[mikef]

flight147z said:

This is why I don't get wireless charging. It's too slow

Surely people charge while they sleep?

[flight147z]

mikef said:

flight147z said:

This is why I don't get wireless charging. It's too slow

Surely people charge while they sleep?

If you do that then why is wireless charging better?

Wireless charging is good for if you put your phone down and pick it up aot and want it to be charging between the times you're using it and when you're not, to save constantly plugging it in and unplugging it

[mjcneat]

flight147z said:

If you do that then why is wireless charging better?

Wireless charging is good for if you put your phone down and pick it up aot and want it to be charging between the times you're using it and when you're not, to save constantly plugging it in and unplugging it

I've got a 16 Pro and the battery lasts all day without fail, so I only ever charge wireless at night. I charge wirelessly as I use one of these Anker stands. With the phone stored horizontally, it goes into a clock display / nighttime mode.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anker-Wireless-Charging-P...

[bodhi]

I'm not on iPhone (use Xperia phones instead), but the best results I've found are to use the USB C charger that came with my Chromebook. USB C will always supply the most your device can handle, so it means I can charge various things as quickly as possible with one charger. Works for my phone, headphones, IQOS and of course the Chromebook itself.

Only outlier is my Fitbit Sense, but that will charge fine of anything with USB A - so sockets, extensions, old AC adapters etc.