Report Suggests Apple to Release GaN USB-C Charger With 65W Fast-Charge This Year

[MacRumors]

Apple is among a number of tech companies with plans to release a GaN-based power adapter this year, claims a new report out today. According to IT Home (via Gizchina), Xiaomi, Huawei, Samsung, Oppo, and Apple all have plans for the Gallium Nitride technology, which can provide fast charging solutions through a USB-C interface and support fast-charging up to 65 Watts.

Choetech GaN charger​

According to Caifa News, in addition to Xiaomi, Huawei, Samsung, OPPO, and Apple all have deep accumulation in GaN technology. Xiaomi, a supplier of Xiaomi GaN solutions, said that following Xiaomi, "this year, several manufacturers of the same size as Xiaomi will release GaN power adapters."

GaN technology uses fewer components than standard silicon chargers, and allows them to be manufactured in a smaller casing than a standard power adapter. For example, Choetech's new 61W Wall Charger is half the size of the original 61W MacBook charger.

GizChina notes that Xiaomi recently released a new GaN charger that utilizes the technology. It comes with a USB Type-C interface that supports up to 65W fast-charge and can deliver a full charge of a Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro in 45 minutes.

Thanks to the new semiconductor material GaN (gallium nitride), the size of this charger is about 48% smaller than that of the Xiaomi notebook's standard adapter. In addition, Xiaomi's GaN charger Type-C 65W's USB-C interface supports intelligent adjustment of output current in multiple gears. It can charge up to 65W for high-power devices such as the new MacBook Pro and Xiaomi notebooks.

The report is unclear on what plans Apple might have for the technology, but it notes that GaN benefits from an ability to adjust output automatically depending on the connected device, so one possibility is that we could see more versatile Apple chargers that support multiple Apple devices like iPhones and Macs.

Article Link: Report Suggests Apple to Release GaN USB-C Charger With 65W Fast-Charge This Year

 

[andycarver]

Finally a technological advancement I can get interested in. Pity it’s on the wrong website.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Lets hope Apple will finally also provide us with a charger with multiple USB-C ports.

 

[Joesg]

Oops! Typo on the slide. “Silicone“ is the material used in breast implants. “Silicon” is the semiconductor used for electronics.

 

[Appleman3546]

Forced compliance by the EU finally unifying our cables

 

[TechRemarker]

"GaN benefits from an ability to adjust output automatically depending on the connected device, so one possibility is that we could see more versatile Apple chargers that support multiple Apple devices like iPhones and Macs."

Huh? Apple devices already can use the a single charger only accepts as much power as the device supports. For instance using MBP charger charge my mac, or my iPhone with the usb-c cable. With the noted change if anything it means less being able to use a single charger, because its limited to 65w so you will have to use one charger for full size mac laptops and another for iPhones rather than a single as we can now and have for years.

 

[Scottsoapbox]

LOL the text and icons on that website grab don't match what they are beside.

 

[jacjustjac]

Lets hope Apple will finally also provide us with a charger with multiple USB-C ports.

This is the company that had a laptop with a single USB-C port for 4 years. I think they expect people to charge their iPhones from their MBP or MBA’s second USB-C port. They support it with the iPad which is kind of neat.

I recommend you check out Satechi’s 108W Charger. It has 2 USB-C (90+18W) and two USB-A that give 12W combined. I don’t know how it distributes the power under full load but I use their previous-gen 72W (60+18) with my MBP 16” + iPad iPhone & Apple Watch daily and it’s a godsend. I’m a frequent traveler and I can power everything from one outlet. Customer support is great too.

 

[nicho]

Oops! Typo on the slide. “Silicone“ is the material used in breast implants. “Silicon” is the semiconductor used for electronics.

What a boob!

 

[jlc1978]

Forced compliance by the EU finally unifying our cables

I doubt it. By the time a common standard is agreed upon and compliance is mandatory Apple will probably have moved on to wireless with no port.

While USB-C may seem like the choice many phones use micro USB and manufacturers may want to stick with that for a while longer. Not only that, if they have to settle on standard voltages and amperage ratings you probably will wind up with chargers that only work on phones.

 

[barbu]

Oops! Typo on the slide. “Silicone“ is the material used in breast implants. “Silicon” is the semiconductor used for electronics.

also the fact that they mixed up the bullet images and put the “twice as small” icon with “twice the speed” and the rocket icon with “half the size”.
some attention to detail
Edit to add: I see I was slow on the draw.

 

[roncron]

GizChina? Who came up with that name?

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

Only 65w? I guess that rules out MacBook Pros.
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I don’t know how it distributes the power under full load but I use their previous-gen 72W (60+18) with my MBP 16” + iPad iPhone & Apple Watch daily and it’s a godsend. I’m a frequent traveler and I can power everything from one outlet. Customer support is great too.

Doesn't the 16" ship with a new 96w charger? And doesn't that mean that you're not going to be charging your 16" at 60w, if you're using it?

 

[Daum]

waiting for my 100w hyperjuice. 2 usbc and 2 usba.

 

[jarman92]

Forced compliance by the EU finally unifying our cables

...what? Your comment makes no sense—Apple already makes multiple USB-C chargers.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

I recommend you check out Satechi’s 108W Charger. It has 2 USB-C (90+18W) and two USB-A that give 12W combined. I don’t know how it distributes the power under full load but I use their previous-gen 72W (60+18) with my MBP 16” + iPad iPhone & Apple Watch daily and it’s a godsend. I’m a frequent traveler and I can power everything from one outlet. Customer support is great too.

Thanks, but I have already moved to an all USB-C setup for everything, so I have no need for USB-A ports anymore...

 

[temna]

Apple is among a number of tech companies with plans to release a GaN-based power adapter this year, claims a new report out today. According to IT Home (via Gizchina), Xiaomi, Huawei, Samsung, Oppo, and Apple all have plans for the Gallium Nitride technology, which can provide fast charging solutions through a USB-C interface and support fast-charging up to 65 Watts.

Choetech GaN charger​

GaN technology uses fewer components than standard silicon chargers, and allows them to be manufactured in a smaller casing than a standard power adapter. For example, Choetech's new 61W Wall Charger is half the size of the original 61W MacBook charger.

GizChina notes that Xiaomi recently released a new GaN charger that utilizes the technology. It comes with a USB Type-C interface that supports up to 65W fast-charge and can deliver a full charge of a Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro in 45 minutes.
The report is unclear on what plans Apple might have for the technology, but it notes that GaN benefits from an ability to adjust output automatically depending on the connected device, so one possibility is that we could see more versatile Apple chargers that support multiple Apple devices like iPhones and Macs.

Article Link: Report Suggests Apple to Release GaN USB-C Charger With 65W Fast-Charge This Year

If they really want to impress me, add multiple USB C ports to the charger. Apple users don't just have one Apple device.
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Forced compliance by the EU finally unifying our cables

God I hope not, I'd rather they remove the ports completely than fold to the EU.

 

[ksec]

GaN parts still cost 10x more than good old Silicon. Comparatively speaking gives very little benefits to low watt charging, ( 5 - 28W ) I would be very surprised if Apple decide to use it. May be for MacBook.

 

[PestoBalsamic]

Forced compliance by the EU finally unifying our cables

Ah yes, the same EU that tried this same BS with Micro-USB, the worst connector ever designed by man.

You can keep your forced nonsense.

 

[jaytv111]

Only 65w? I guess that rules out MacBook Pros.
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Doesn't the 16" ship with a new 96w charger? And doesn't that mean that you're not going to be charging your 16" at 60w, if you're using it?

You can use lower power supplies with the larger Macbooks (that use USB-C). I've tested it out (with a 15"), it takes as low as 12 watts, but I'd recommend at least 30 watts due to the long charging time of anything lower than that. 60 watts is plenty for the 15" and 16" Macbook Pros.

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

You can use lower power supplies with the larger Macbooks (that use USB-C). I've tested it out (with a 15"), it takes as low as 12 watts, but I'd recommend at least 30 watts due to the long charging time of anything lower than that. 60 watts is plenty for the 15" and 16" Macbook Pros.

*that use USB-PD.

So while those chargers might charge the MBP with them off, practically every review I've ever seen has suggested that they won't keep the laptop up if it's being used.

 

[jaytv111]

*that use USB-PD.

So while those chargers might charge the MBP with them off, practically every review I've ever seen has suggested that they won't keep the laptop up if it's being used.

It worked with a non-PD charger (the 12 watt one). Though it does not take lower than that.

In terms of whether they charge under use, it depends on the power needs. At idle or light use, it's probably using around 10 watts. Even a 30 watt power supply will still charge. If you're exporting video or playing intense games, it could use around 60 watts (with possible spikes higher). Obviously it's best practice to ensure you buy a charger that matches the Macbook Pro's original charger, but you can use a lower power adapter in a pinch if needed.

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

It worked with a non-PD charger (the 12 watt one). Though it does not take lower than that.

In terms of whether they charge under use, it depends on the power needs. At idle or light use, it's probably using around 10 watts. Even a 30 watt power supply will still charge. If you're exporting video or playing intense games, it could use around 60 watts (with possible spikes higher). Obviously it's best practice to ensure you buy a charger that matches the Macbook Pro's original charger, but you can use a lower power adapter in a pinch if needed.

Good to know, thanks.

 

[cmaier]

, but it notes that GaN benefits from an ability to adjust output automatically depending on the connected device,

This is a garbage statement. GaN is a semiconductor, same as Si. With either one you can make a circuit that can "adjust output automatically depending on the connected device," and, in fact, every silicon charger already does this.
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waiting for my 100w hyperjuice. 2 usbc and 2 usba.

Me, too. Waiting for two of them. Been in the "preparing for shipment" stage forever. Probably covid-19.

 

[konqerror]

GaN parts still cost 10x more than good old Silicon. Comparatively speaking gives very little benefits to low watt charging, ( 5 - 28W ) I would be very surprised if Apple decide to use it. May be for MacBook.

It's follow-on effects. GaN allows the switching circuit to run at a higher frequency, letting them use a smaller transformer, reducing the use of expensive copper wiring and the environmental impact of such.

This leads to design factors, which Apple is certainly interested in. The volume of the US 18 W iPhone charger right now is roughly 4-5x that of the original 5 W charger. I can see them wanting to shrink the size back down.