Full Breakdown
iPhone 17 Pro Crowned Fastest-Charging Phone in CNET Labs’ 33-Device Test
5/15/2026, 12:13:59 PM
Test Overview and Methodology
CNET Labs evaluated 33 current smartphones released over the past year, including models from Apple, Samsung, Google, Motorola, and others. Each device was discharged to a maximum of 10 % battery and then charged for 30 minutes, either via wired or wireless means. The amount of charge regained during this interval formed the basis for both wired and wireless scores, which were subsequently averaged to produce a composite “overall charging” ranking. The test emphasized real-world usage rather than idealized laboratory conditions.
Charging Performance Results
When wired and wireless results were combined, Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro achieved the top composite score, earning a CNET Labs Award for fastest overall charging. In the wired category, Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra led with a 76 % gain, while the iPhone 17 Pro tied for second place with Motorola’s Moto G Stylus (2025) at 74 % each. OnePlus 15 posted 72 %, and the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and Samsung Galaxy S25 FE each reached 69 %.
Wireless charging displayed a more pronounced Apple advantage. The iPhone 17 Pro added 55 % in the 30-minute test, securing first place. The iPhone 17 Pro Max followed at 53 %, the iPhone 17 at 49 %, and the iPhone Air at 47 %. Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra was the only Android device in the top five, ranking fifth with 39 %—16 percentage points behind the iPhone 17 Pro.
Technical Factors Behind Wireless Speed
CNET’s analysis attributes the iPhone’s wireless lead to MagSafe’s magnetic alignment, which keeps the phone precisely positioned over the charging coil, minimizing energy loss from misalignment. Although Apple licenses the Qi2.2 standard to third-party makers, the integration of Apple-designed chargers and devices appears to confer a measurable efficiency edge.
Official Summary from CNET Labs
CNET Labs reported that the iPhone 17 Pro’s performance reflects both hardware precision and the requirement of a 30 W or higher power adapter paired with a MagSafe charger capable of fast charging. The lab noted that using slower or non-Apple-certified accessories can reduce real-world charging speeds.
Verbatim Quotes
- “By holding the phone in perfect position over the charging coil every time, MagSafe minimizes energy loss caused by misalignment.” — CNET Labs
- “The iPhone 17 Pro doesn’t just hold its own — it leads the pack.” — CNET Labs
What's Next
CNET Labs recommends that consumers seeking peak charging performance pair the iPhone 17 Pro with a 30 W+ power adapter and a MagSafe charger that supports fast charging. Future testing cycles are expected to reassess charging speeds as newer devices and charging standards emerge.
