Apple Reportedly Planning Smaller and Lighter GaN-Based Chargers

[yurc]

I have GaN one from Hyper, used daily, which capable 100W for my MBP. For 100W charger, that's quite compact, soap size. For mobile device like iPhone I think it should able to more compact, ultra small footprint, nice for portability.

 

[Abstract]

They definitely won’t be $19.

That’s the reason Apple are going to release GaN chargers: they can sell so many to iPhone users.

 

[PC_tech]

It's about time. With smaller chargers they can actually still include them in the box and be environmentally conscious. As we all know that's what the charger removal was about...

You actually expect them to start including them again? Lol

 

[1rottenapple]

Navitas Semiconductor is expected to obtain orders from Apple in 2021 for fast charging solutions based on gallium nitride or "GaN" technology, according to Taiwanese industry publication DigiTimes. The report claims that Apple's chipmaking partner TSMC will supply Navitas with GaN chips as part of an existing partnership.

This supply chain news suggests that Apple is planning GaN versions of its USB-C power adapters, allowing them to be smaller and lighter, more power efficient, and less heat conductive compared to its current chargers, which are based on silicon. Many other brands like Anker and Belkin have introduced GaN chargers over the last few years. It's unclear if Apple's first GaN chargers would be ready for release this year.

Navitas is the creator of GaNFast, a gallium nitride solution that the company says is found in some of the most popular fast chargers in the world. GaNFast has been adopted by several brands, such as Aukey, Dell, Lenovo, and Xiaomi. Last year, the company said GaNFast-based solutions include wall chargers ranging from 24W to 300W.

Apple no longer includes power adapters in the box with iPhone and Apple Watch models that it sells, but it continues to sell a variety of power adapters on a standalone basis, including 5W and 12W USB-A options and 20W, 30W, 61W, and 96W USB-C options.

Article Link: Apple Reportedly Planning Smaller and Lighter GaN-Based Chargers

About time apple! It'd be nice if i don't have to haul around a brick to charge my Laptop! At least I can use their big charger as a medieval mace for self defense.

 

[farewelwilliams]

This article is from 2012, which was correct at that time, this days there is no difference between Apple and Quality charges

did you just assume that or do you have actual sources to backup that claim?

 

[Hammerd]

a lot of people don’t realize the quality of Apple chargers far exceed many third party chargers http://www.righto.com/2012/05/apple-iphone-charger-teardown-quality.html

considering usb-c type chargers are a much more risky investment, $19 isn’t all that bad for a 20w

Quoting:
These chargers sell for about $30

(if not counterfeit), but that must be almost all profit. Samsung sells a very similar cube charger

for about $6-$10, which I also disassembled (and will write up details later). The Apple charger is higher quality and I estimate has about a dollar's worth of additional components inside.[14] But it sells for $20 more.

 

[farewelwilliams]

I think its a little disingenuous to not mention that the article is over 8 years old. Lots of high quality 3rd party alternatives now, but yes, if you go for the $2 amazon charger regardless of 2021 or 2012, you're just asking for it.

Edit: Ninja'd by gallico916

is there something that proves this claim?

my Anker GaN charger went on fire. what "high quality 3rd party alternatives" do you have in mind?

 

[az431]

It's about time. With smaller chargers they can actually still include them in the box and be environmentally conscious. As we all know that's what the charger removal was about...

It's not obvious to me how manufacturing a charger that 90% of people will never use is environmentally conscious, regardless of what technology it uses.

Enlighten us please.

 

[jz0309]

better late than never to jump on this bandwagon Apple ...

 

[az431]

GaN has had a rocky path to commercialization. The GaN power supplies from a few years ago tended to last for a year or two then randomly die. A company like Anker can get away with that, Apple can not (if 1000 Apple power supplies die, the media will have a field day talking about "Apple Quality Control Issues").

Of course Apple knows about GaN (Apple is investigating tech that won't be commercially viable till ten years from now); the delay has been not because they are stuck in the mud but because GaN needed to becomes reliable enough for long enough.

Are you kidding? MR only needs 3 people to post on the forums that something Apple made broke, and it's a front page article.

 

[coachgq]

You actually expect them to start including them again? Lol

You are probably right.

 

[LV426]

Smaller size has nothing to do with being environmentally good. It's still a piece of electronics that is unneeded. all of the chargers in the past few years will work with any new device. There is no need for more new one...except to replace a dead one.

I replaced a couple of my (UK) chargers when Apple started making neat 3-pin foldable plugs for the UK market. They are a great improvement and are no longer an inconvenience when tossed into luggage. Excellent design.

 

[Johnny907]

That's nice. Too bad you're ridiculously late to the game. I'll be sticking with Anker chargers, thanks. If I have to buy my own from now on I'll go with the cheaper, better option.

 

[coachgq]

It's not obvious to me how manufacturing a charger that 90% of people will never use is environmentally conscious, regardless of what technology it uses.

Enlighten us please.

I bought about 10 GaN chargers over the past few months. Put them strategically in places that I need to have access to charging and the fast charging is important. Enlighten me on how 90% of people don't use chargers included in their phone purchase.

 

[PC_tech]

is there something that proves this claim?

my Anker GaN charger went on fire. what "high quality 3rd party alternatives" do you have in mind?

Of course it did

 

[farewelwilliams]

You mean USB-C chargers that aren't compatible with their own products (29W charger and magsafe duo)?

Look up what PD3.0 is. 29W was designed before PD3.0 was released which is what MagSafe Duo needs. Apple didn't design anything wrong given the circumstances of evolving technology.

I checked your link, but sadly it lacked the information necessary to back up your claim.

Did you read it?
"When I opened the charger up, I expected to find a standard design, but I've compared the charger to the Samsung charger and several other high-quality industry designs,[17] and Apple goes beyond these designs in several ways."

And if you poked around the site, you'd see the write up comparing the power quality between Apple and Samsung (and others). Apple delivered better power quality in "spike" and "noise" categories than Samsung while Samsung delivered better "ripple" quality (you can check what the categories mean by reading that particular article).

I never made the claim that Apple is #1, but it beats a lot of third party chargers.

Just a link after the story to teardowns of bargain bin chargers

Bargain bin chargers are "third party chargers". Regardless, the article compares against My statement remains true regardless.

I didn't see a comparison between Apple and other quality brands

Search harder. Took me one try with a Google search of that site.

Apple is still playing catch up to the likes of Anker, Aukey, and more in price, features, and tech.

Apple doesn't compete in price with respect to chargers. Chargers don't make Apple that much money (when comparing to overall revenue). They only lowered the price of the usb-c charger to $19 to increase adoption.

Features and tech? Apple came out with the PD3.0 profile before Anker's cube did (which is why you don't get the full speed charging with the Anker 18W). PD3.0 is needed for negotiating new power profiles between devices.

 

[BeefCake 15]

When will more countries be like Brazil and force Apple to include a charger?

Yes, because Brazil is who everyone should emulate on environmental decisions.

 

[citysnaps]

This article is from 2012, which was correct at that time, this days there is no difference between Apple and Quality charges

Are the other "quality" chargers UL Listed? If not, I certainly wouldn't use them.

 

[coachgq]

Smaller size has nothing to do with being environmentally good. It's still a piece of electronics that is unneeded. all of the chargers in the past few years will work with any new device. There is no need for more new one...except to replace a dead one.

And to charge in half the time...

 

[jonnysods]

A little smaller and lighter would be great!

 

[Fatyank]

The way the picture of the anker charger shows the plug folding up makes it look broken at first glance. Like one prong is bent or something.

View attachment 1706769

Maybe it’s just me.

It looks like a prototype Dalek from early Dr Who or something from Red Dwarf.

 

[nvmls]

delete

poor humor attempt

 

[now i see it]

As punishment for axing the charger in the iPhone box but keeping the price of the phone the same — everyone should buy their chargers from any other manufacturer BUT apl

 

[Apple_Robert]

I am already short so, anything small and light is in my wheelhouse.

 

[guzhogi]

I bought about 10 GaN chargers over the past few months. Put them strategically in places that I need to have access to charging and the fast charging is important. Enlighten me on how 90% of people don't use chargers included in their phone purchase.

Wonder how something like this would work for you? Note: I haven't used it myself so I'm not recommending it. Just curious how well it works.