The iPhone 17 Pro is surprising.

The iPhone 17 Pro is highly rated for its charging stability. Photo: Macrumors .

The iPhone 17 Pro has just been ranked by CNET as the fastest-charging smartphone in a real-world test across 33 devices. This is the first time an Apple product has topped the overall charging ranking in this test, and it's a noteworthy result considering the iPhone's fast charging power (40W) is generally lower than other brands (typically ranging from 65W to over 100W).

CNET 's testing methodology is quite rigorous. Each phone is charged for 30 minutes from 10% battery level or below, using the included cable and a charger at the maximum speed supported by the device. The overall score is calculated by averaging the wired and wireless charging results.

This result partly stems from the relatively small battery capacity of the iPhone 17 Pro, at only 4,252 mAh. This is significantly lower than the 5,000 mAh or more found in most high-end Android phones. A smaller battery means a shorter charging time in absolute terms.

However, the iPhone 17 Pro doesn't just win because of its smaller battery. It supports 40W wired charging and 25W Qi2.2 wireless charging, specifications that Apple has significantly upgraded compared to previous generations. In a 30-minute wireless test, the iPhone 17 Pro achieved 55% battery, the highest on the list. The iPhone 17 Pro Max came in second with 53%.

In terms of wired charging, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra takes the top spot with 76% battery charge in 30 minutes, thanks to its 60W charging speed, the fastest ever in Samsung's flagship line. The iPhone 17 Pro comes in second with 74%, on par with the Motorola Moto G Stylus.

However, the charging stability of the new iPhone 17 series is a key highlight. CNET noted that Apple's device had the most consistent charging performance among all brands tested.

Notably, some of the phones on the list utilize silicon-carbon technology, a type of battery that uses a silicon cathode instead of graphite, allowing for higher energy storage and faster charging. The OnePlus 15 is a prime example, capable of charging to 72% in just 30 minutes thanks to its proprietary 80W charger.

However, in the US market, this technology is currently only available in OnePlus, RedMagic, and Poco. Apple, Samsung, and Google have not yet adopted the new battery type. If Apple integrates silicon-carbon batteries into future generations of iPhones, charging test results could change significantly.

CNET also noted that battery capacity is only one factor in overall battery life. When considering chip and software efficiency, the new iPhone 17 Pro Max had the longest battery life in the endurance test.