The simple answer is no; the iPhone 15 models do not come with a charger. This, however, is nothing new. Since the iPhone 12 lineup debuted in 2020, Apple has not included chargers or headphones in the box.
Meanwhile, more recent iPhone models came with USB-C-to-Lightning cables but no charger. The iPhone 15 series is the first to feature a USB-C port rather than a Lightning port.
Why Apple Doesn’t Include a Charger With the iPhone 15?
It’s difficult to believe that every iPhone used to come with a charging brick. When Apple introduced the iPhone 12 series, it stated that not including a power adapter meant less packaging. Apple claimed at the time that it could fit 70% more devices on a shipping pallet, lowering transportation costs and the company’s carbon footprint.
Apple was chastised for omitting chargers from iPhone boxes. Some claimed that it was primarily a business decision to increase profits. Some claimed that by not including chargers, Apple encouraged users to purchase its MagSafe option or buy a charger separately, raising the overall cost of the iPhone.
Whatever the reason, the charger you’ve been using with your current iPhone will likely continue working with the iPhone 15 series. However, updating to take full advantage of the iPhone 15’s fast charging capabilities may be prudent. Fast charging your iPhone is simple if you have the right tools!
However, switching to USB-C may still cause some issues, beginning with the cost of new power bricks.
What Does the iPhone 15 Come With?
With the switch to USB-C on the iPhone 15, Apple’s newest smartphone comes with only a USB-C charge cable. A USB-C-to-Lightning cable is included with the iPhone 14, iPhone 13, and iPhone SE. Those who do not have any Apple power adapters will need a USB-C power adapter to charge right away.
Furthermore, the newer iPhones do not come with EarPods, so you will need to supply your own headphones to listen to music and podcasts. Apple sells its own AirPods wireless earbuds (the second-generation AirPods Pro also received a USB-C upgrade this week), but there are plenty of alternatives that won’t break the bank, not to mention our picks for the best wireless headphones and those designed for runners.
As Apple explained during its iPhone 12 event a few years ago, excluding the power adapter reduces the size of the box. The move is part of Apple’s 2020 pledge to be carbon neutral in its supply chain and products by 2030. It unveiled its first carbon-neutral product, the Apple Watch lineup, this week and claimed that the packaging for every iPhone 15 model is over 99% fiber-based.
How Should I Charge My iPhone 15?
Thanks to a nudge from the EU, Apple finally made the switch to USB-C with the iPhone 15.
Previous iPhones used Apple’s proprietary Lightning charging port. This means you can charge using an existing Lightning cable and a standard USB-A wall adapter. However, using the included USB-C-to-Lightning cable, you can also connect your iPhone to your Mac or another device with a USB-C port, such as a lamp or light switch.
Furthermore, the most recent iPhones are compatible with Qi wireless charging pads. However, Apple’s main charging focus is its built-in, fast-charging MagSafe magnetic power connector.
What About Those Magsafe Charging Cables?
You could completely avoid USB-C and charge your iPhone 15 wirelessly instead.
When the iPhone 12 was released, Apple launched a whole new accessory ecosystem with MagSafe. It employs magnets to align a Qi-based charging coil on the back, allowing for novel charging options such as floating iPhone docks. In iOS 17, Apple even added a cool StandBy software feature that turns the iPhone’s screen into a fancy clock with widgets when it’s docked.
To use Apple’s MagSafe charging puck, you’ll still need a USB-C power adapter capable of at least 20W of charging. Certified MagSafe options will charge iPhones at a maximum of 15W. Non-Apple-approved “MagSafe-compatible” options provide only 7.5W of power to iPhones.
However, Apple announced that the iPhone 15 will support the magnet-based Qi2 charging standard, which will likely open up the phone to faster and cheaper options that won’t destroy your iPhone like a bad USB-C cable could.
What Exactly Is MagSafe?
For many years, Apple referred to the charging cable connectors on its computers as MagSafe. Their magnetized tips “snapped” into the magnetized MacBook charging ports—and snapped out if disturbed, for example, to avoid crashing a Mac laptop to the floor. They went away a few years ago when Apple switched the MacBook lineup to USB-C charging and data transfer, but they made a comeback in the M1 Pro/M1 Max-based MacBooks as “MagSafe 3.”
In recent iPhones, Apple has included a magnetized “hockey puck” disc that looks like a large Apple Watch charger and snaps to the back of the phone. This MagSafe connector has a USB-C cable connecting to a power source and charges at 15W.
What Is the Quickest Way to Charge an iPhone 15?
Since the iPhone 5, Apple has included a 5W USB power adapter in the box with each iPhone, with the exception of the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max, which came with an 18W USB-C power adapter. (Depending on the model, Apple’s iPads also come with 10W or 12W USB or 18W or 20W USB-C power adapters.) So, unless you bought your first iPhone after the iPhone 12, you will likely have one lying around.
Meanwhile, Apple’s smartphones have supported fast charging since the iPhone 8, allowing for a 50% charge in 30 minutes. An Apple USB-C-to-Lightning cable and one of the following adapters are required for older iPhones: Apple 18W, 20W, 29W, 30W, 35W, 61W, 67W, 87W, 96W, or 140W USB-C Power Adapter; or a third-party USB-C power adapter that supports USB Power Delivery (USB-PD). According to Apple, fast charging on the iPhone 15 lineup will require a 20W adapter or higher.
Apple iPhone 8 and later support Qi wireless charging, which charges those iPhones at 7.5W using a compatible wireless charging pad. The Apple-branded MagSafe charging system will power up your phone at 15W to achieve even faster wireless charging speeds than a Qi charger.
Furthermore, the magnetic snap of MagSafe ensures that your phone is charging, as opposed to a Qi charger, which can slip out of place, leaving you scrambling for power at the last second.
MagSafe will provide the fastest and most reliable charging times if you have a 5W charging adapter, a Qi wireless charging pad, and the MagSafe connector. The question is whether the extra $39 for the MagSafe connector is worthwhile. If you constantly need a charge, the answer could be yes. For others, an existing power adapter or charging pad may suffice, and $40 would be better spent on a rugged case to protect your expensive new smartphone.
Our Top iPhone 15 Chargers
Charging bricks can be expensive, but there are several options available at various prices. Depending on the brand and features, you can expect to pay anywhere from $15 to $60 for a single charger. Apple provides two of the best USB-C chargers.
#1. Apple 35W Dual USB-C Port Compact Power Adapter
The Apple 35W Dual USB-C Port Compact Power Adapter is convenient and lightweight. Its small size makes it easy to transport wherever you go, whether for business or pleasure. This adapter is ideal for anyone who needs to charge multiple devices simultaneously. With its two USB-C ports, you can charge two Apple devices simultaneously with a single adapter.
#2. Apple 20W USB-C Power Adapter
If you’re looking for a cheap but dependable way to charge your USB-C device, the Apple 20W USB-C Power Adapter is a good option. It is not only inexpensive, but it is also compatible with a wide range of devices. This power adapter can handle everything, whether you have an iPhone, iPad, or any other USB-C device. Furthermore, its compact design makes it easy to transport wherever you go.
Is MagSafe Compatible with Cases?
Yes, in a nutshell. However, there are some limitations.
Those who want to use MagSafe magnetic charging and protect their iPhone with a case will need a MagSafe-compatible accessory. Naturally, Apple sells several MagSafe-compatible cases as well as a magnetic wallet (but no leather). MagSafe products are also available from third-party vendors such as Belkin and Otterbox.
If you have a non-MagSafe case that does not have a magnet, you should be able to charge it with the MagSafe charger because it is Qi wireless compatible but will not snap onto the case.
Is MagSafe compatible with older iPhone models?
While the MagSafe charger was designed for iPhones 12 and up, it is technically compatible with older phones that support wireless charging, as well as AirPods models with a wireless charging case (see officially compatible models below).
However, because these older phone models lack the magnetic feature on the back of the device, you will be unable to “snap” your iPhone into its optimal charging position. Only the iPhone 12, 13, 14, and 15 models are compatible. Any other phone can be inserted into the MagSafe connector, but it will not lock into place.
Conclusion
Because the plug is more complex (and has the potential to get lint stuck in both the port and the plug), USB-C can feel more fragile than Lightning. Otherwise, the new connector is a significant improvement. Lightning is incapable of transferring data at high speeds and, more importantly, is incompatible with other devices.
With Lightning on its way out, there may be a surge in e-waste as Apple users upgrade to the new iPhone 15. It was one of Apple’s main arguments for opposing the European Union’s mandate that all smartphones use USB-C.
If you no longer require your lighting cable, see if you can sell or donate it to someone who does. Otherwise, Apple, Best Buy, and other retailers will recycle them for free.
Switching to USB-C will not be easy, and you will experience choice fatigue when it comes to selecting new cables, power adapters, and accessories. The main thing to remember is that USB-C is here to stay. And if Apple supports universal standards, you might never have to do this again.
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