Introduction

ChargerLAB has previously tested the charging performance of the iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, and iPhone 16. Today we will test the last model in the 16 series: the iPhone 16 Plus.

Charging Review of iPhone 16 Plus-Chargerlab

Next, let’s take a look at the charging performance of the iPhone 16 Plus.

Product Appearance

The front of the box shows the appearance of the iPhone 16 Plus.

Model: iPhone 16 Plus (A3291). The version we got has a storage capacity of 128GB.

The box contains the phone, cable, and some documents.

The iPhone 16 Pro has a 6.7-inch screen and uses an all-screen Super Retina XDR display.

The iPhone 16 Plus is available in five colors: Black, White, Pink, Teal, and Ultramarine.

The camera module design of the iPhone 16 is arranged in a top-down manner. It uses a 48-megapixel fusion camera + 12-megapixel Ultra Wide camera. And it adopts the sapphire crystal lens cover.

It adds a "Camera controls" button, which can realize various functions such as Exposure, Depth, Zoom, Cameras, Styles, Tone, etc., through different gestures such as tap, long press, double-click, and slide.

The USB-C port supports USB 2.0 data transfer specifications.

The frame of the iPhone 16 Plus is made of aviation aluminum alloy, and the exquisite new micro-sandblasting process brings a more delicate and exquisite appearance. The disadvantage is also obvious, the black model is easy to leave fingerprints.

The inside of the USB-C port is laser engraved with A3297 China.

This is the included USB-C cable.

The connecter is engraved with the model and code.

Consistent with previous iPhone 15 series cables, the woven outer layer twists the fibers into strands before arranging and weaving them together, preventing tangling and enhancing durability.

And the connector adopts a special pin design.

ChargerLAB POWER-Z KM003C shows it doesn't have an E-marker chip.

The length of this cable is exactly 1m (3' 3.37'').

The length of the phone is about 161.1 mm (6.34 inches).

The width is about 77.8 mm (3.063 inches).

The thickness is about 7.6 mm (0.3 inches).

The weight is about 199.2 g (7.027 oz),

The iPhone 16 Plus’ 6.7-inch large screen is a bit difficult to control in one hand.

Compatibility Test

Next, let's do the charging compatibility test.

Original Chargers

We use some Apple chargers with the original cable to test the real-time power. To test the maximum charging power of the iPhone 16 Plus, the phone will record video throughout the test.

Charge with the Apple 140W charger (model: A2452), the power is about 14.54V 2.16A 31.43W.

All original chargers of 35W and above can provide about 30W charging power for the iPhone 16 Plus. Except for the 87W, which can charge it at only 25.32W, the other original chargers above 29W can reach the PDO of 15V.

We summarize the test results into a bar chart. In addition to the influence of the maximum power of the charger, it can be seen that the charging power of the iPhone 16 Plus is about 30W, and the other original chargers below 20W can reach their maximum power.

Third-party Chargers

We also used a variety of third-party chargers with the original cable during the test. Let’s take a look at the results.

There are no compatibility issues.

We summarize the test results into a bar chart. Most chargers above 30W can provide a charging power of 28-31W, while 20-25W chargers can provide a charging power of 18-24W. The compatibility performance is quite impressive.

Wireless Charging Test

It's worth noting that the iPhone 16 series, in addition to supporting the existing MagSafe charging, also supports the Qi2 wireless charging standard.

When charging the iPhone 16 Plus with the Apple MagSafe Charger (A2140), the power at the input end is about 8.95V 2.03A 18.18W. Excluding losses, the actual power is about 15W.

Use a third-party wireless charger to charge the iPhone 16 Plus, and the charger output power is about 6.94W.

Reverse Charging Test

The iPhone 16 series has a reverse charging function, allowing it to charge several devices.

Use a 5A USB-C to USB-C cable to connect the iPhone 16 Plus and AirPods Pro. You can see that the earphone charging indicator lights up. The measured output power on the phone is 5.21V 0.24A 1.30W.

Full Charging Test

Next, we'll use the Apple 70W charger to fully charge the iPhone 16 Plus. And put them into a 25°C (77℉) thermotank throughout the test.

The voltage is around 15V at first, and the charging curve can be divided into five parts. In the first part, the peak power stayed at 28W for the first 17 mins. Then, the power gradually drops to 21W, 15W, and 8W in turn. Meanwhile, the voltage dropped to 5V at 52 mins. The final part begins at one hour and 11 mins, the power slowly drops to almost zero. It takes 2 hours and 11 mins to be fully charged.

We also turn it into another curve. The Apple 70W charger can charge the iPhone 16 Plus to 50% in 27 mins. And it can reach 80% in 59 mins, 100% in 2 hours and 11 mins.

Temperature Test

We also recorded the highest temperature on the front and back after charging for 10 mins, 20 mins, and 30 mins.

10 Mins Charging

After 10 mins of charging, the maximum temperature on the front is 36.2℃ (97.16 ℉).

The back is 37.2℃ (98.96 ℉).

20 Mins Charging

After 20 mins, the maximum temperature on the front is 36.8℃ (98.24 ℉).

The back is 37.5℃ (99.5 ℉).

30 Mins Charging

After 30 mins, the maximum temperature on the front is 36.2℃ (97.16 ℉).

The back is 37.2℃ (98.96 ℉).

From this bar graph, the overall temperature of the phone is between 36.2-37.5℃ during the 30-minute charging process. The highest temperature is about 37.5℃ (99.5 ℉). on the back at 20 mins. During the charging process, the temperature of the phone rises by less than 1°C in 10-20 minutes. At 30 minutes, the temperature of the phone is the same as at 10 minutes. The heat dissipation performance has improved.

Summary of ChargerLAB

The iPhone 16 Plus features an aviation aluminum alloy frame design, and a 6.7‑inch (diagonal) all‑screen Super Retina XDR display on the front. At the same time, the entire series is equipped with a "Camera controls" button, which can realize various functions such as Exposure, Depth, Zoom, Cameras, Styles, Tone, etc., through different gestures such as tap, long press, double-click, and slide.

Except for the Apple 87W charger, other Apple chargers can reach a PDO of 15V, and the charging power is maintained at around 30W. Most third-party chargers above 30W and third-party power banks can provide a charging power of 28-31W. There are no compatibility issues, and it is compatible with most chargers and power banks on the market. Using the Apple 70W charger, it can be fully charged in about 2 hours and 11 minutes.

Overall, the iPhone 16 Plus performs well in terms of performance, imaging, screen, etc., and is suitable for users who pursue a large-screen experience and have high requirements for mobile phone performance and shooting functions. However, limited by the 60Hz refresh rate of the screen, it may be a shortcoming for some users who pursue a high refresh experience.

Charging Review of iPhone 16 Plus