Apple just introduced the iPhone 16 lineup, and with it comes a small but meaningful upgrade: MagSafe wireless charging is now up to 25W. It’s not the fastest in the world—some Chinese OEMs offer faster speeds—but it’s worth taking a closer look at what this subtle change reveals about Apple’s product strategy.

A Quick History of iPhone Wireless Charging:

It’s also interesting to compare this to Apple’s wired charging approach. Officially, iPhone 16s are marketed with 20W fast chargers. However, third-party testing (see below) has shown that iPhones can already support higher than 20W charging, while Pro Max models can support almost 30W inputs, likely due to better thermal management. Yet Apple has never explicitly said you should use a 30W charger to charge faster—even though it works.

Apple’s official specs make no mention of faster speeds with a 30W adapter but have a more details description regarding wireless charging:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/121032

ChargerLab: iPhone 16 Pro charges at 24W
https://www.chargerlab.com/charging-review-of-iphone-16-pro/

ChargerLab: iPhone 16 Pro Max charges at 30W
https://www.chargerlab.com/improved-charging-power-review-of-iphone-16-pro-max/

So here’s the question: why does Apple give wireless charging a specific, tiered power spec—like 15W or 25W—but not do the same for wired charging? Why not tell users a 30W adapter will charge their phone faster, if that’s the case?

Let’s Talk About “Embrace, Extend, and Extinguish”

This is a strategic framework once famously attributed to Microsoft. Here’s a clear breakdown from Skeptric:

"Embracing a technology with an existing market is an effective way to quickly gain adoption... Extending a technology on a shared platform helps the market leader lock in existing customers... When users start requiring these extensions it means that other users must migrate to the extended implementation if they want to continue to communicate."
https://skeptric.com/embrace-extend-extinguish/

Intentional or not, Apple’s playbook with MagSafe eerily follows this pattern:

1. Embrace: Add Qi wireless charging to iPhones.

2. Extend: Introduce MagSafe—adding magnetic alignment and eventually becoming part of Qi2—while capping standard Qi speeds to make MagSafe feel superior.

3. Extinguish (or differentiate): Boost MagSafe charging to 25W, making it a standout feature.

Is this gonna be Apple's end game for lightning/USB ports?

What Does This Mean—and What’s Next?

1. iPhone now charges wirelessly faster than Samsung flagships.
With Samsung still topping out at 15W, Apple gains a clear competitive edge here. No more wired-vs-wireless compromises—at least not in speed.

2. A rebirth of the MFi program through MagSafe?
With the EU pushing for USB-C standardization and Lightning now gone, many have speculated MagSafe could become the new foundation for Apple’s accessory ecosystem. Faster charging and the potential for hidden hardware/software hooks (like the underused NFC coil for case color detection) could pave the way for more powerful, smart accessories.

MagSafe Animation Has Same Color as Cases

3. The long-term goal: kill the port?
By keeping wired charging at parity—or even making it less convenient—Apple could be laying the groundwork for a portless future. Removing the port saves cost (~$2 per unit) and simplifies waterproofing. If Apple phases this in slowly, the market could be filled with wireless chargers by the time they pull the plug—literally.

4. The “ultimate” iPhone: no ports at all.
A portless iPhone isn’t a crazy idea. Look at the Apple Watch (also a computing device) on your wrist, it’s been reliably working for years without any issues. With rumors of an ultra-thin iPhone 17 Slim, maybe that’s where Apple makes the leap. Foldable phones are already out in the wild—but a portless iPhone? That sounds more like Apple magic. Apple’s even used non-contact firmware updates "Presto" in its stores.

If something as complex and risky as firmware upgrade can be done wirelessly and safely, why keep a port that’s prone to damage?

Conclusion

Speculation is just that—speculation. But I wouldn’t be surprised if this time next year, Apple does what it does best: something bold, disruptive, and a little magical.