Apple Watch Series 7 Fast Charging Requires 5W or Greater USB-C PD Adapter

[MacRumors]

The Apple Watch Series 7 includes a new charging architecture that allows it to refuel up to 33% faster than the Series 6, charging from 0 to 80% in 45 minutes.

The fast-charging capability requires a new USB-C charging cable that Apple includes in the box with the watch and also sells separately, but until now Apple hasn't provided details on what wattage of power adapter is required for fast charging. Apple no longer includes a power adapter in the box with the Apple Watch, so users will need to provide their own.

In a new support document published today just as the first Apple Watch Series 7 orders have started arriving, Apple reveals that any of its USB-C power adapters rated at 18 watts or higher will support fast charging on the new watch. In addition, third-party USB-C adapters rated at 5 watts or higher will allow for fast charging as long as they support the USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) protocol.

Fast charging requires an Apple USB-C Magnetic Fast Charging Cable. This cable has aluminum around the magnetic charger and a USB-C connector.

You also need one of these power adapters:

• Apple 18W, 20W, 29W, 30W, 61W, 87W, or 96W USB-C Power Adapter
• A comparable third-party USB-C power adapter that supports USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) of 5W or greater

Apple says that fast charging is not available in Argentina, India, or Vietnam, but the company has not offered a reason for this limitation.

Article Link: Apple Watch Series 7 Fast Charging Requires 5W or Greater USB-C PD Adapter

 

[nitramluap]

Ah, yes... the fantastic USB-C 'standard'...

 

[jz0309]

unsurprisingly ...

 

[jav6454]

Perhaps legal requirements precludes them in those countries.

 

[herocero]

I swear my series 6 charges faster with this cable, only reason I know is the new bedside outlets has two USB-C. Anecdotal, not empericaled yet.

 

[Caliber26]

Who needs a USB-C 20W brick. We’ve been collecting them for years and years. Everyone has a couple extras somewhere in their kitchen junk drawer, right? 😏

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

USB-C sweet. So, we have to buy the fast charging charger? Apple really eliminated the charger from an Apple Watch?

Apple, can you please come up with something like this so I can charge my iPhone and Apple Watch with one charger continuously? Now this is how you save the environment! 🌍

 

[minik]

That's totally fine by me. I usually put my Apple Watch on the charger in between I woke up and leave work. Anyway I have a few Apple 18/20W USB-C chargers lying around, from iPhone and iPad.

 

[ANDJOE]

A jeez I just bought a bunch of 2.5 watt USB-C chargers. Boy is my face red.

 

[allapplesinceinfancy]

Will this work? I know it’s technically not PD certified…

Anker 511 Charger (Nano)

Fast Charging for iPhone: Anker Nano’s 20W output is designed to charge the iPhone 13 series up to 3× faster than with an original 5W charger. Charge in Style: Choose from Lavender Grey, Mint Green, Black, and White finishes to find the perfect style partner for your phone. Space-Saving Design...

us.anker.com

 

[_Spinn_]

Hopefully that means my Anker chargers will work with it.

USB C Charger 20W, Anker 511 Charger , PIQ 3.0 Durable Compact Fast Charger, Anker Nano for iPhone 14/14 Plus/14 Pro/14 Pro Max/13, Galaxy, Pixel 4/3, iPad/ iPad mini (Cable Not Included)

The World's No. 1 Mobile Charging Brand, In terms of retail sales value in 2020. Data source: Euromonitor International (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., measured in terms of retail sales value in 2020, based on research conducted in 11-2021. Brands are defined as mobile charging brands if more than 75% of t...

www.amazon.com

 

[allapplesinceinfancy]

Hopefully that means my Anker chargers will work with it.

USB C Charger 20W, Anker 511 Charger , PIQ 3.0 Durable Compact Fast Charger, Anker Nano for iPhone 14/14 Plus/14 Pro/14 Pro Max/13, Galaxy, Pixel 4/3, iPad/ iPad mini (Cable Not Included)

The World's No. 1 Mobile Charging Brand, In terms of retail sales value in 2020. Data source: Euromonitor International (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., measured in terms of retail sales value in 2020, based on research conducted in 11-2021. Brands are defined as mobile charging brands if more than 75% of t...

www.amazon.com

Wondering same thing!

 

[jz0309]

Since I charge my watch over night, I can continue to use my S0 charger that I have on the nightstand… 😎
But I also have some of the 18W chargers somewhere in my drawer full of charging bricks…

 

[jz0309]

Hopefully that means my Anker chargers will work with it.

USB C Charger 20W, Anker 511 Charger , PIQ 3.0 Durable Compact Fast Charger, Anker Nano for iPhone 14/14 Plus/14 Pro/14 Pro Max/13, Galaxy, Pixel 4/3, iPad/ iPad mini (Cable Not Included)

The World's No. 1 Mobile Charging Brand, In terms of retail sales value in 2020. Data source: Euromonitor International (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., measured in terms of retail sales value in 2020, based on research conducted in 11-2021. Brands are defined as mobile charging brands if more than 75% of t...

www.amazon.com

Since it’s touted “fast charger” and mentions iPhone 13 I would think so

 

[zorinlynx]

Is there a technical reason they couldn't implement USB-PD with type-A jacks? Or did they just want to kill type-A?

It's annoying because 99% of USB charging outlets provided to the public out in the real world are type-A.

 

[dannyyankou]

Is there a technical reason they couldn't implement USB-PD with type-A jacks? Or did they just want to kill type-A?

It's annoying because 99% of USB charging outlets provided to the public out in the real world are type-A.

The technology is just different. 5w on USB type A isn't the same as 5w with USB C PD

 

[Simmias]

Has anyone confirmed if fast charging is possible with the MagSafe Duo? The Duo is not mentioned in the support article, so I’m guessing it’s not. But it would be good to know for sure.

 

[ian87w]

Hopefully that means my Anker chargers will work with it.

USB C Charger 20W, Anker 511 Charger , PIQ 3.0 Durable Compact Fast Charger, Anker Nano for iPhone 14/14 Plus/14 Pro/14 Pro Max/13, Galaxy, Pixel 4/3, iPad/ iPad mini (Cable Not Included)

The World's No. 1 Mobile Charging Brand, In terms of retail sales value in 2020. Data source: Euromonitor International (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., measured in terms of retail sales value in 2020, based on research conducted in 11-2021. Brands are defined as mobile charging brands if more than 75% of t...

www.amazon.com

If it uses USB-C and USB-PD standard, it should.

 

[ian87w]

Is there a technical reason they couldn't implement USB-PD with type-A jacks? Or did they just want to kill type-A?

It's annoying because 99% of USB charging outlets provided to the public out in the real world are type-A.

I believe USB-PD requires certain pins and circuitry that is just not available on type-A.
And it's not like you cannot use the old type-A cable. It's just regular charging speed, and since the Apple Watch battery is small enough, I don't think it's a big deal for most people.

 

[matrix07]

third-party USB-C adapters rated at 5 watts or higher will allow for fast charging as long as they support the USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) protocol.

Is Anker Nano compatible?

 

[ian87w]

Is Anker Nano compatible?

Does it say it complies with USB-PD standard? If not, then no, you'll just get regular charging.

I think it's easy to check if your charger supports this or not. Simply look for USB-PD. It's a standard. Either chargers are compatible with it or not.

 

[DTphonehome]

Are there even any USB-C chargers <5w?

 

[1madman1]

As someone who owns exactly zero USB-C chargers (or devices) and has dozens of USB-A chargers I'm wondering if this cable will work with a C to A adapter.

 

[MadeTheSwitch]

New adapters, new adapters....so much for being eco-friendly on this issue...lol.

 

[iSayuSay]

I believe USB-PD requires certain pins and circuitry that is just not available on type-A.
And it's not like you cannot use the old type-A cable. It's just regular charging speed, and since the Apple Watch battery is small enough, I don't think it's a big deal for most people.

Apple somehow able to add 12watt charging (5V;2.4A) for iPad USB-A charger. While it’s relatively slow for iPad battery, it charges older iPhones faster, using a cheap USB-A to Lightning cable.