Does iPhone 13 Come With A Charger? What You Should Know

The iPhone 13 and 13 Pro have a lot going for them — including better battery life, upgraded cameras, and more. But do they come with free chargers?

The iPhone 13 has been on sale for a while, but was Apple generous enough to include a charger in the box? It's become increasingly common for companies not to include charging accessories with their smartphones, particularly flagships. Apple popularized the trend in 2020 with the iPhone 12, Samsung followed suit with the Galaxy S21 series, and numerous other handsets over the years have also done the same.

For anyone who does decide to buy an iPhone 13, it's important to keep something in mind. Just like the iPhone 12 that came out before it, the iPhone 13 does not come with a charging adapter. Shoppers will find the iPhone 13 and a USB-C-to-Lightning cable in the box... and that's it. This applies to all iPhone 13 models: including the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max. Even if someone buys the most expensive model, Apple refuses to include a charging brick.

Related: Does The iPhone 13 Need A Screen Protector?

The iPhone 13 uses a Lightning port to charge. Apple ships a Lightning to USB-C cable in the box, which means users will need a charger with a USB-C port. As a result, older USB 2.0 chargers that users might have lying around at home won't work with the included Lightning cable. Apple supports a maximum of 20W wired charging speeds.

The iPhone 13 also supports Qi wireless charging, so any Qi-certified charging mat or stand can be used to charge it. Wireless charging is convenient, but it's also slower, maxing out at 7.5W speeds. Additionally, the iPhone 13 is also MagSafe compatible. MagSafe is Apple's proprietary magnetic charging technology. Users will need to use a MagSafe compatible case to charge their iPhone 13. MagSafe chargers come in various form factors, but they tend to be more expensive than wireless chargers. With MagSafe, the iPhone 13 can charge at up to 15W speeds.

If someone currently has a charging adapter with a connected Lightning cable, there's nothing to worry about. Just plug the iPhone 13 into that, charge up like normal, and call it a day. Similarly, if someone buying the iPhone 13 has Qi wireless chargers throughout their home, the iPhone 13 can use those just fine as well. In Apple's eyes, most people buying an iPhone 13 likely already have the proper accessories to charge its battery. By not including a potentially unwanted charging adapter, Apple gets to cut back on e-waste and keep some extra cash in its pocket. Whether this is the right move is up for debate, but that's how Apple's doing business these days.

Looking ahead, it's unlikely that Apple is going to change this strategy any time soon. The company hasn't included chargers since the iPhone 12. Unless something drastic changes in the future, it's all but guaranteed that future iPhones won't come with a charger either. This is undoubtedly annoying for some people, but it's also the simple truth of where the market is at. Free chargers are no longer expected for smartphones, especially ones from Apple.

On the off chance someone buying the iPhone 13 does not have a compatible wall adapter, there are seemingly endless charging accessories that'll get the job done. The easiest choice for most people is the official 20W USB-C Power Adapter sold by Apple. It delivers 20W charge speeds, works with the cable that comes with the iPhone 13, and costs $19. This is the best option for folks who want to only buy from Apple. Apple also sells a 30W power adapter for $39, but that's really only needed for larger devices like a MacBook or iPad.

For those looking at third-party fast chargers, one of the best options is the Anker Nano II 30W GaN charger. The output is a little higher than the iPhone's maximum charging speeds, but it can also charge iPads and MacBooks. The charger is pretty compact but doesn't feature folding prongs. Since it's a GaN charger, it charges more efficiently and keeps temperatures down as well. It's available for $34 on Amazon.

Another great option is Spigen's 20W ArcStation Pro. The GaN charger has a compact size, and unlike Anker's option, features foldable prongs that make it easier to store. With 20W charging speeds, iPhone 13 users can juice up their battery in a jiffy. It can charge most Type-C devices, including other iPhones, iPads, and Android phones too. Buyers can pick it up for $18 on Amazon.

Users who want a charger that easily fits behind furniture can also consider Belkin's 30W USB-C Wall Charger. It's longer than the other chargers, but thanks to its slimmer build, can fit in a power outlet behind a sofa or bed. Thanks to its 30W charging speeds, it can also be used to charge iPads and MacBooks. It also features foldable prongs like the Spigen charger. The only downside is that it's not a GaN charger, but it will still do the job. It's available for $23 on Amazon. While iPhone 13 users might be annoyed they have to buy a charger separately, these third-party options have better charging speeds and cheaper prices, making them a worthwhile investment.

Source: Apple, Amazon 1, 2, 3

Joe has been actively writing and talking about consumer tech since 2012. His biggest passion lies with smartphones, but he's happy to talk your ear off about just about anything with a CPU. He lives in Kalamazoo, MI with his wife, two cats, and pit bull/boxer mix.