The introduction of a USB-C port in the iPhone 15 Pro Max has brought notable features, including improved charging protocols and higher data transfer speeds. Regarding battery charging speed during gaming sessions, the USB-C port itself does not inherently affect the charging speed negatively or positively compared to previous models.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max supports USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) fast charging with a peak power draw of around 27 watts using compatible chargers. This allows the device to reach about a 50% charge in approximately 25 minutes under optimal conditions. The charging speed is primarily determined by the power adapter used at the other end of the USB-C cable rather than the cable itself, as all USB-C cables supporting the device deliver at least 60 watts, which exceeds what the iPhone draws. So, even if gaming demands battery power simultaneously, the USB-C charging system can deliver power efficiently up to the designed peak wattage without significant degradation of charging speed due to the port type.
Testing indicates that during a charging cycle with a certified 35W or 70W charger, the iPhone 15 Pro Max maintains stable charging power at around 25 to 26 watts for roughly the first 22 minutes before gradually tapering down as the battery fills. Full charging from zero to 100% takes about 1 hour and 50 to 55 minutes. During gaming, the power draw for running the game may reduce the net charging speed (charging plus usage), but this is true for any fast-charging technology and not unique to the USB-C port. The phone can also get warm during charging, and thermal management may affect how much current the battery accepts while gaming to avoid overheating and to preserve battery health.
Compared to the previous iPhone 14 Pro Max with the Lightning port offering a similar fast-charging wattage close to 27 watts, the charging speed while gaming with the new USB-C port on the iPhone 15 Pro Max is comparable. The USB-C port adds benefits such as higher data transfer rates (up to 10Gbps on Pro models) and versatility (e.g., reverse charging, connecting external displays or SSDs), but the raw battery charging speed during gaming is constrained by the phone's internal charging circuitry and thermal management rather than the port type itself.
In summary:
- The iPhone 15 Pro Max USB-C port supports fast charging up to about 27 watts.
- Battery charging speed during gaming depends on the charger output and usage but is not negatively impacted by the USB-C port.
- Charging curves show stable charging at peak power for the initial portion and gradual tapering after.
- Thermal management during gaming and charging may limit actual charging current to avoid overheating.
- The USB-C port increases versatility and data speeds but does not directly alter charging speed behavior during gaming compared to Lightning port models.