ok so i actually just went through this whole rabbit hole when I got my 16 Plus. i spent a few days testing different bricks with a power meter because i highkey wanted to see if the new thermal design actually handles higher speeds. basically, while the phone *can* technically handshake at higher wattages, it throttles pretty fast once it gets warm. honestly, third-party GaN chargers are wayyy better than the official Apple ones right now. here is what i found after testing a few options: Option A: Anker 511 Charger (Nano 3) 30W
this is my daily driver. it's literally the size of the old 5W cubes but packs a punch. since it uses GaN tech, it stays remarkably cool. pros: super compact, foldable prongs, very stable voltage. cons: only one port. Option B: Apple 30W USB-C Power Adapter
i mean, it works, but it's massive compared to the Anker. pros: guaranteed compatibility, safe. cons: huge, no foldable prongs (in the US version), and more expensive. Option C: Ugreen Nexode 45W Dual USB C GaN Charger
if u want a bit more overhead, this is a solid pick. the 16 Plus can peak around 27W-29W, so having 45W ensures the charger isn't running at 100% capacity, which helps with longevity. plus u get a second port for ur watch. lesson learned: make sure to get something with PPS (Programmable Power Supply) support. it allows the phone to request specific voltages which reduces heat during that 0-50% sprint. i'd suggest sticking to 30W or 45W... anything higher is basically overkill for this specific phone. gl!

Similar situation here - i spent way too much time comparing the Baseus 30W GaN5 Fast Charger and the Spigen ArcStation Pro 30W GaN to save money. The Baseus is dirt cheap and hits those 30W peaks, but the Spigen has better thermal efficiency and stays cooler. Both are decent options if ur like me and hate overpaying for the Apple logo!

Seconding the recommendation above! Honestly, i went through a similar phase of testing bricks with my usb-c power meter when I got my phone. I'm super happy with the Satechi 30W USB-C GaN Compact Charger i picked up last week. Basically, while the phone negotiates the charge speed via the PD handshake, the 16 Plus can actually sustain higher wattages for longer than the older models because of the improved thermal dissipation... it's pretty wild to see it hold 27W-29W for so long!! If you want something ultra-reliable and compact, look for chargers that support the PD 3.0 standard. I've also been using the Belkin BoostCharge Pro 30W USB-C GaN Wall Charger and it works well without getting hot at all. Third-party GaN tech is literally way ahead of the official apple bricks in terms of size-to-power ratio. so yeah, stick with 30W+ and you'll be set. gl!

100% agree

For your situation, i agree third-party is the way to go for safety. - Apple vs Third-party: Belkin or Mophie stay way cooler than standard bricks in my experience over the years.
- Pros: Better surge protection and safety features.
- Cons: None really if you buy quality. Best choice: Definitely third-party for long-term reliability... im still learning the tech but it feels way saferrr!