Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max add faster wired charging, but the practical requirement is not a special cable. To reach Apple’s best-case claim of 50% in about 20 minutes, you need a compatible charger that speaks the right USB Power Delivery language. Today, that effectively means Apple’s new 40W Dynamic Power Adapter, which is designed to negotiate the higher power profile the iPhone 17 Pro models can accept.
As highlighted in coverage this week, Apple’s brick supports a newer USB-PD profile that current third-party adapters largely do not. That is why a random 30W or 65W USB-C charger you already own may still deliver “fast charging” but won’t trigger the new top-speed behavior. The headline change is on the adapter side, not the cable side. Apple’s own specs state the 50% in 20 minutes figure with a 40W adapter or higher when paired with a USB-C charging cable, which confirms there’s no special cable certification requirement beyond using a proper USB-C cable that can safely handle standard PD currents.
There is also an availability wrinkle. Early reports indicate Apple’s 40W Dynamic Power Adapter is rolling out in select markets first and is not sold in the EU at launch. That matters because third-party makers will likely take time to ship adapters that support the exact PD profile Apple is using here, and initial models may cost more than typical USB-C chargers. If you want the absolute fastest wired results right now and you live in a country where Apple sells the 40W unit, that is the straightforward pick. If you are in the EU, you may be limited to previous Apple adapters or existing third-party bricks that will charge quickly but not at the new peak rate until compatible options arrive.
It is also worth separating wired and wireless. iPhone 17 series now support up to 25W with Qi2.2 and Apple’s updated MagSafe charger, so wireless speeds improve for many users. However, the new 40W headline applies to wired charging only. If your priority is the fastest possible top-up before heading out the door, the wired 40W path is still the way to go.
For clarity, here are the current options and what to expect. Times are based on Apple’s guidance and early reporting; the spread reflects real-world variation due to temperature, battery state, and background activity.
| Charger | Max output | Expected result on iPhone 17 Pro | Notes |
| Apple 40W Dynamic Power Adapter (with 60W max burst) | Up to 60W peak, 40W sustained | Enables Apple’s fastest wired charging, roughly 50% in about 20 minutes | Required to hit the new peak today. Not sold in the EU at launch. |
| Apple 35W Dual USB-C Adapter | 35W | Fast charging, but not the new top-speed window | Good travel pick if you need two ports, slower than 40W path. |
| Apple 20W USB-C Adapter | 20W | Standard iPhone fast charging, noticeably slower than 40W | Widely available and inexpensive, but not for peak speeds. |
| Apple MagSafe Charger (Qi2.2) | 25W wireless | Faster wireless than before on iPhone 17 series | Convenient, still slower than wired. Works across more devices. |
Cable guidance is simple compared to chargers. Use a reputable USB-C to USB-C cable. A typical 60W e-marked cable is more than sufficient for the iPhone’s 40W target. There is no evidence of a cable certification lockout for peak iPhone 17 Pro speeds. The right adapter is what flips the switch.
In short, if you care about maximum wired charging speed on iPhone 17 Pro, the near-term play is Apple’s 40W Dynamic Power Adapter where available. If you are in a region where it is not sold yet, plan on strong but slightly slower results from existing Apple or third-party USB-C adapters until compatible chargers using the same PD profile arrive. For wireless, the jump to 25W with Qi2.2 makes Apple’s updated MagSafe puck a more compelling everyday charger, especially if you swap between iPhone and other Qi2.2 phones at home or the office.
