Apple has increased wired charging performance with the iPhone 17 Pro models. With a 40-watt (or higher) USB-C power adapter, you can reach about 50 per cent in 20 minutes—a meaningful improvement for professionals who need quick charges during a busy day.

The Tech

This upgrade isn’t just about delivering more power. It’s built on USB Power Delivery (USB PD) 3.2 and its Adjustable Voltage Supply (AVS) feature. AVS allows the charger and device to fine-tune voltage in 100 millivolt steps within the Standard Power Range (27–100 watts). This results in greater efficiency and better thermal management than older fixed-step systems. In PD 3.2, AVS is required for any charging above 27 watts in this range.

What You Need for Faster Charging

  • A 40-watt or higher USB-C power adapter. Must be a new adapter that supports PD 3.2 AVS SPR. Apple confirms the 50-per-cent-in-20-minutes performance with a 40-watt adapter or higher.
  • The included USB-C cable. No special electronically marked 5 A/100 W cable is required at these power levels.
  • Reasonable temperatures. Devices charge more efficiently when cool; iOS will reduce charging speed if the device overheats, per Apple’s thermal management system.

Older 20-30 watt adapters will still charge the iPhone 17 Pro safely, but more slowly than the newer high-power option.

Apple’s New Adapter

Apple’s compact 40 W Dynamic Power Adapter is designed to deliver brief high-power bursts and then scale back, making it optimized for smartphones and small devices rather than continuous high-power use. Early teardowns confirm support for PD 3.2 with AVS, aligning perfectly with the iPhone 17’s charging profile.

Pixel Flex: The Notable Third-Party Option

Google’s Pixel Flex Dual-Port 67 W USB-C Fast Charger is one of the first chargers to explicitly support USB PD 3.2 with AVS and PPS, with published ranges of 9–15 V up to 4 A and 15–20 V up to 3.35 A. It’s capable of fast-charging the iPhone 17 Pro while also powering a second device.

Currently, the only widely available retail chargers that clearly list PD 3.2 with AVS are Apple’s 40-watt Dynamic Power Adapter and Google’s Pixel Flex 67 W. More gallium nitride (GaN) chargers with this technology are expected to launch soon.

Wireless Charging (MagSafe and Qi2)

Apple lists MagSafe charging up to 25 watts when paired with a 30-watt or higher adapter. The latest MagSafe Charger is Qi2 25W-certified, and the iPhone 17 family supports Qi2 wireless charging up to 25 watts. These advancements give users more fast-wireless accessory choices, but wired USB-C remains the fastest method for a rapid charge.

Practical Recommendations

  • For the best results, use a PD 3.2/AVS-capable 40-watt or higher adapter with the included USB-C cable.
  • Keep older adapters as backups; they’ll work safely but charge at a lower speed.
  • Avoid charging in high-temperature environments. Heat degrades battery health, and the iPhone will automatically slow charging to protect itself.

Bottom Line

The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max pair Apple’s careful battery management with the modern USB PD 3.2/AVS standard. With the right adapter—Apple’s Dynamic Power Adapter or Google’s Pixel Flex—you’ll experience faster, cooler and more consistent charging that fits seamlessly into a busy schedule.