How CNET Lab Tested 33 Phones for Charging Speed
CNET Lab put 33 phones from Apple, Samsung, Google, Motorola and several Chinese brands through a controlled phone charging speed test. Each device was drained to 10% or less, then plugged into its own cable and a wall adapter that matched or exceeded its maximum wired charging rating. After 30 minutes, testers recorded how much battery percentage each phone had gained. The same process was repeated for wireless charging using Qi, Qi2 or Qi2.2 chargers, again matched to each phone’s top supported speed. For devices with proprietary ultra-fast wireless systems, such as those bundled with specialist chargers, CNET scored those separately to keep the main comparison fair. Finally, CNET averaged each phone’s wired and wireless results into a single charging score. This approach revealed not just headline wattage claims, but how much real-world energy each phone could actually take on in a fixed time window.
Overall Fastest Charging Phone: iPhone 17 Pro
When CNET combined wired and wireless results into a single metric, Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro emerged as the fastest charging phone overall. On paper, it doesn’t match the most extreme Chinese competitors for raw wattage, but its design gives it a crucial edge. The 17 Pro uses a 4,252mAh battery, smaller than the 5,000mAh-class cells common in many rival flagships, so it simply has less capacity to refill. That smaller pack, paired with efficient hardware and software, means the phone climbs from near-empty to a usable level quickly in both wired and MagSafe wireless tests. In practice, this translates into shorter top-ups before you head out, and less time tethered to the wall during a busy day. Importantly, CNET’s data shows this advantage isn’t theoretical—it’s based on repeatable lab measurements rather than manufacturer estimates or marketing claims.
Fastest Wired Charger: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
For pure wired charging speed, Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra took the CNET Lab Award. Its key advantage is support for 60-watt wired charging, which, under CNET’s 30-minute test, allowed it to pull ahead of every other phone. That high ceiling lets the S26 Ultra pump in significantly more power during short charging sessions, even when its battery capacity rivals or exceeds other premium devices. The result: you can add a big chunk of battery percentage over a lunch break or between meetings, reducing anxiety on heavy-use days. CNET’s testing also underscores a crucial point: headline wattage isn’t everything, but it matters when it’s fully utilized and thermally managed, as it is here. While the S26 Ultra doesn’t top the overall combined chart, anyone who prioritizes wired top-ups over wireless convenience will appreciate how quickly it recovers from single-digit battery levels.
Why Chinese Phones Still Charge So Much Faster
CNET’s lab work confirms what many spec sheets hint at: Chinese-designed phones still hold a substantial lead in extreme fast charging. Devices like the OnePlus 15 support up to 100W wired and 50W wireless in some regions, with an unrestricted peak of 120W. Even with a very large battery, that’s enough to hit 50% in around 20 minutes and full capacity in under an hour. This gap exists partly because Chinese brands compete in markets where Android dominance and intense rivalry drive aggressive hardware differentiation. They’ve leaned into split battery designs and newer chemistries such as silicon-carbon cells, which allow higher charging currents and faster turnaround times. By contrast, Western-focused brands often prioritize long-term battery health, heat control and regulatory simplicity over headline-grabbing wattage. The net effect for users is a stark divide: if you want the absolute quickest top-ups, Chinese phones still set the pace.
What These Results Mean When You’re Choosing a Phone
CNET’s charging comparison shows that real-world top-up time depends on more than just a wattage number on a spec sheet. Battery size, chemistry and software all influence how quickly your phone moves from 10% to a safe, usable zone. The iPhone 17 Pro is the best all-rounder, balancing strong wired and wireless results with a smaller battery that refills quickly. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is the wired-speed champion, ideal if you rely on frequent short plug-ins. Meanwhile, Chinese flagships such as the OnePlus 15 highlight what’s possible when manufacturers push fast-charging technology to its limits, even if those versions aren’t always widely sold. When shopping, look for lab-tested data—like CNET’s 30-minute percentage gains—rather than marketing claims alone. That way, you’ll choose not just the best fast chargers on paper, but the fastest charging phones that actually save you time day after day.