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2018 iPhone may need official charger to reach the fastest speeds

The 2018 Apple iPhone handsets will include an 18W power adapter for faster charging, recent reports have suggested. Whether the company will bundle-in the faster solution remains the subject of conjecture.

However, regardless of whether Apple throws iPhone fans a bone, it appears most people will be relying on the official solution.

According to a report from Mac Otakara, third-party charger support may be limited. The sources say any third-party fast chargers would require USB-C Authentication (or C-AUTH), in order to charge the phones at the maximum rate.

The sources say the 2018 iPhones could display a warning that would even limit charging snail’s pace at 2.5W maximum, rendering uncertified chargers useless.

Related: Best iPhone 2018

Of course, the USB-C Authentication platform is there for a reason. It’s designed cut down on the number of hokey third-party chargers making it to the market. If the report is accurate, Apple’s chief concern seems to be maintaining security. Some of these knock-off chargers are known to carry embedded malware with the idea of infecting USB devices.

MacRumors points out there are 1,000 members of the USB Implementers forum, so iPhone users will be advised to check whether the company building the third-party charger is a member before they buy one.

Last week, Samsung revealed an advertisement mocking Apple for refusing to bundle in the fastest possible charging solution with the iPhone X.

In order to reach the fastest speeds, iPhone users need to buy a Lightning-to-USB-C cable and requisite wall socket. However, Apple only ships a 5W standard USB to Lightning charger with the 2017 phones.

The 2018 iPhone handsets will arrive in September this year, if Apple convention is followed. Three handsets are expected with three different display sizes. The 5.8-inch and 6.5-inch successors to the iPhone X are rumoured to be joined by a more affordable 6.1-inch model with an LCD screen.

Are you expecting Apple to bundle in the fastest possible charging option? Or will it ask buyers to fork out an additional amount? Drop us a line @TrustedReviews on Twitter.

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