Every type of iPhone charger explained in 2025

Gone are the days when you could leave your iPhone charger behind and use your friend’s instead. When Apple first launched the iPhone in 2007, it relied on a 30-pin dock connector and replaced it with the Lightning connector with the launch of iPhone 5 on September 12, 2012. Soon, the Lightning port became the default way to charge or connect your iPhone to other devices, but Apple finally caved to regulators and added a USB Type-C port to the iPhone. With the launch of the iPhone 15 in 2023, the iPhone charger changed once again.

In 2025, you will be either using a Lightning connector or the latest USB-C standard to charge your iPhone. Yes, the simplicity that made Apple devices much beloved around the world has become complicated. From wired to wireless, MagSafe to fast charging, here’s every type of iPhone charger explained in 2025.

Type of iPhone charger

In 2025, the type of iPhone charger depends mainly on the iPhone model you are currently using. There are iPhones with USB-C port and older models with the Lightning port but then there is MagSafe and other wireless charging standards to consider as well. Here’s every type of iPhone charger currently in use.

– USB-C to USB-C charger
– Lightning to USB-C/USB-A charger
– MagSafe wireless charger
– Qi wireless Charger
– Fast charging adapters

ALSO READ: What is USB Type-C?

USB-C to USB-C charger

With the release of iPhone 15 in 2023, Apple transitioned its iPhones from Lightning to USB-C port, aligning itself with the regulators in Europe. With the iPhone 15 lineup, Apple finally adopted an industry standard that had come to rule a wide range of device segments. Apple’s USB-C to USB-C charger looks identical to its Lightning chargers from the past but enables universal compatibility with MacBooks, iPads, and Android devices. It works with most USB-C power adapters to support faster charging and data transfer.

Lightning to USB-C/USB-A charger

The Lightning to USB-C or USB-A charger is the charging standard used by older iPhones, up to iPhone 14 models launched in 2022. They are still one of the most popular methods to charge an iPhone, and their popularity cannot be diminished since it has been around for more than a decade. The Lightning to USB-C/USB-A charger is still compatible with millions of devices, and its accessory support is second to none. If you have several Lightning accessories at home, then you will regret the loss of this charging standard on newer models.

MagSafe wireless charger

As wireless charging gained popularity, it also became known for its notoriety, where the charger would fail to charge the device. Apple fixed that with the launch of iPhone 12, the first iPhone to feature a magnetic wireless charging system called MagSafe. As the name implies, it is a Qi wireless charging technology with added magnets for alignment. With MagSafe, Apple put an end to this issue, where the charger perfectly snaps onto the back of your iPhone. It only supports up to 15W wireless charging but offers additional accessories like MagSafe battery pack, wallets, cases, mounts, etc.

Qi wireless Charger

This is the wireless charging standard supported by iPhone 8 and newer models. With this standard, you get access to a range of Qi-compatible chargers and accessories, and it works well with multiple devices, including iPhone, AirPods, Apple Watch, etc.

ALSO READ: Understanding different types of USB cables for mobile charging

Fast charging adapters

As iPhones became powerful and capable, Apple refrained from making them charge as fast as its Android counterparts. However, you can charge your iPhone faster with fast charging adapters that work with USB-C to USB-C or USB-C to Lightning cable. These fast charging adapters are capable of charging your iPhone up to 50 per cent in nearly 30 minutes.

In addition to these chargers, there is also a MagSafe battery pack, a portable wireless charger for wireless charging on the go. Whether you plug your iPhone into the wall or snap a wireless charger, there is no one-size-fits-all and in 2025, embracing a USB-C port and MagSafe delivers faster, cleaner, and smarter charging.