The iPhone 18 Pro only charges at full speed when the charger supports the AVS protocol and the iPhone actually accepts it. Apple’s matching charger costs about $49 and has a single port for that money. Many of you already own a decent charger and reasonably ask whether buying another one is worth it. So I charged the iPhone from 0 to 100 percent twice and timed it.
- Smart iPhone Recognition with Care Mode: Automatically recognizes supported iPhone models and adjusts charging for smarter, safer power delivery. Compatible only with iPhone 17 / 16 / 15 series, 11" iPad Pro (2024 / 2023 / 2021 / 2020), 12.9" iPad Pro (2022 / 2021 / 2020), and 13" iPad Pro (2024).Excluding iPhone 17e.
- 45W Max Fast Charging with Smart Power Adjustment: Delivers up to 45W of high-speed charging while adjusting output based on your battery level. Charge iPhone 17 Pro to 50% in just 20 minutes. (Note: Data based on internal lab testing. Actual performance may vary depending on usage conditions.)
- Smart Display Controls: Tap once to view real-time charging status, double-tap to switch between modes, and press for 2 seconds to rotate the screen. The display automatically turns off after a certain period of time. For more details, scan the QR code to view the user manual.
- Extends Battery Life: TÜV-certified Care Mode lowers charging temperature by up to 9°F compared to standard 45W chargers—ideal for overnight charging.
- Pocket-Sized with Dual Foldable Prongs: Approximately 47% smaller and 36% lighter than the original 30W charger. Features both 90° and 180° foldable prongs for easy use in tight spaces.
- The 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max is uniquely designed to dynamically deliver up to 60W of output, providing a powerful boost in charging speeds.
- With Dynamic Power, you get many of the same benefits of higher-wattage chargers in a compact, pocket-size form factor to make charging at home, in the office, or on the go faster and more convenient than ever.
- For fast charging, pair the Dynamic Power Adapter with iPhone 17 models (50 percent battery in around 20 minutes) or iPhone Air (50 percent battery in around 30 minutes).
- Compatible with USB-C–enabled devices. Charging cable sold separately.
The Setup
Both runs used identical conditions: iPhone 18 Pro Max, completely empty each time, the same original 3-amp cable from the iPhone box, and the same room. I switched the charge limit off beforehand, otherwise the iPhone stops at 80 percent and skews the result.
Run 1: Anker at 45W, without AVS.
Run 2: Apple’s 40W charger, which peaks at 52 to 53W with AVS.
The Results
✗ Anker 45W without AVS: 1 hour 20 minutes
✓ Apple 40W with AVS: 1 hour 11 minutes
That’s a difference of 9 minutes, or 11.3 percent. The back of the phone was at 35°C after the first run, so nothing unusual.
Honestly, I expected more. An hour and 20 minutes for a full charge feels long to me anyway, and the last percent alone seemed to take forever.
What About the Fast Start?
The main argument for AVS isn’t the full charge, it’s the beginning. Apple advertises 50 percent in 15 minutes, and I did hit that in a separate test, though only under cool conditions.
That’s why I checked the 15-minute mark for both chargers here:
Apple with AVS: 51 percent
Anker without AVS: 47 percent
Four percentage points. So even there, the gap is smaller than the marketing suggests.
Why the Difference Is So Small
AVS mainly helps in the first phase, while the battery is still empty and can take high power. After that every iPhone dials the power back to protect the battery, and above roughly 80 percent it gets slow regardless. The last few percent take just as long with any charger. So when you measure a full charge, most of what you’re measuring is a phase where the charger isn’t the bottleneck at all.
My Verdict
AVS is faster, both measurements show that. But the lead is small in everyday use. Over more than an hour of charging, 9 minutes makes no difference to me, and certainly not for that price.
If you already own a good charger, like a 45W Anker, keep it. You lose practically nothing day to day.
If you’re buying new anyway, get one with AVS. Then you get the faster start at no extra cost, provided the iPhone actually accepts that charger’s AVS. It doesn’t with every brand, as I showed in an earlier test.
To find out whether your own charger is fast enough, try my free Charge Check.
More iPhone 18 Pro Tests
For protecting your new iPhone, see my comparison of the best iPhone 18 Pro cases and my iPhone 18 Pro screen protector test. If you’re waiting for the foldable iPhone, check my tests of iPhone Duo cases and iPhone Duo screen protectors.