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Calling all Apple users out there! We have an excellent guide, all about iPhone and MacBook chargers. Did you know, the first Apple MacBook was released in 2006? A whole year before the first iPhone. Since this release, Apple has certainly been taking the world by storm.
MacBooks and iPhones have become a staple for many of us, almost to the point where we could not even imagine swapping over to a rival brand. Despite, being extremely pricy, the latest iPhones and MacBooks still remain very popular.
As of today, the current flagship iPhone is the iPhone 14, which was released in the Autumn of 2022. As for MacBooks, Apple only currently stocks the latest versions of the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.
Whether you have the latest or older versions of these devices, the chargers they need can vary. So we are here to help you understand how your iPhone charger may differ from your MacBook charger. Keep reading our guide to find out more.
iPhone Charger
Apple’s iPhone charger is designed for a Lightning port. All iPhone models since 2012, will have this port but this is set to change in the coming years.
Expect to see a USB-C port on newer iPhones by 2024. This is because of the new European Union law. With the aim to tackle e-waste, European Parliament has made it mandatory for all smartphones to charge via USB-C by 2024. We expect Apple to implement this across all its products around the world.
MacBook Charger
Looking at the MacBook charger now, it is certainly more powerful and larger in size than an iPhone one. Typically, they are designed to have a Magsafe connector at one end, however, Apple has been updating these chargers to have a USB-C Power Adapter. From our own research, the highest wattage available for MacBook chargers is 140W, designed for the 16-inch MacBook Pro model.
The connectors seem to vary depending on your model. For example, the latest MacBook Air 2022 requires a Magsafe connector. If we compare this to an older version, such as the MacBook Air 2020, this model chargers via Thunderbolt or USB-4.
Now we have covered the main differences between the iPhone charger and the MacBook charger, let’s look at some frequently asked questions.
Can I Charge My MacBook With An iPhone Charger?
Without a doubt, we do not recommend using your iPhone charger to charge your Macbook. Bare in mind, the charging cables are different for these devices anyway.
However, regarding the wall adapter, the iPhone adapter will not be able to provide the necessary power to charge a MacBook properly.
Is It OK To Charge A Phone With A MacBook Charger?
In general, we would not recommend charging your iPhone with your MacBook power adapter. This is because the MacBook charger draws a higher wattage from the wall which may damage your iPhone.
It is important to note that there are not many MacBook wall adapters that a Lightning to USB-C cable can connect to. A bunch of MacBooks still use a combined wall adapter and charging cable. These cables can therefore never be swapped out for another, making this impossible even if you wanted to try.
Since we are on the topic, however, this is the list of MacBook models that comes with a removable charging cable in their box:
- MacBook Air (2018 onwards)
- MacBook Pro 15-inch (2016 onwards)
- MacBook Pro 13-inch (2016 onwards)
- MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019 onwards)
- MacBook (2015 onwards)
With that being said, Apple has released information online about using Mac chargers on your iPhone and iPad. According to Apple, you are allowed to charge your iPhone and Macbook using an Apple 12W USB Power Adapter.
Summary
As you can see, and as we expected the iPhone charger is different from the MacBook charger. However, when 2024 swings around this might change. As we mentioned, the iPhone will need to be designed to charge with a USB-C port, which some MacBooks at the moment do.
So with that in mind, perhaps one day in the future MacBook chargers may be the same as iPhone chargers. Let’s wait and see, shall we? If you enjoy articles like this, be sure to check out our dedicated PC Guide iOS section too.
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