Apple planning to launch a Gallium Nitride-based 65W fast-charge power adapter

According to a new report Thursday from IT Home, via MacRumors, Apple is planning to release a new power adapter this year that will be based on Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology.

Apple, along with other technology companies like Samsunbg, Xiaomi, Huawei and Oppo, will all release GaN adapters at some point this year. GaN technology is suitable for USB-C adapters and supports Power Delivery fast-charge technology up to 65 Watts.

In fact, as Gizmodo China explains, Xiaomi recently released a 64W GaN charger that can fast-charge its Mi 10 Pro smartphone from dead to 100 percent in 45 minutes.

Xiaomi’s GaN charger uses Nanomicro’s NV6115 and NV6117 GaNFast power ICs with a volume of 56.3 x 30.8 x 30.8mm (53 cc). Thanks to the new semiconductor material GaN (gallium nitride), the size of this charger is about 48 percent 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 product package contains Xiaomi USB-C to USB-C data cable, equipped with an E-Marker chip, and supports a maximum current of 5A.

All iPhone smartphones from the iPhone 8 model onward support fast-charge solutions via 18W or higher USB-C power adapters compliant with the Power Delivery standard. Plus, all iPads support even 30 watts of charging.

TUTORIAL: How to fast charge iPhone and iPad

Apple currently supports fast-charging an iPhone from zero percent to fifty percent in about thirty minutes. Beyond the fifty percent mark, however, Apple’s current system begins throttling the charger in order to protect the iPhone components and prolong battery life.

Compared with silicon chargers, GaN counterparts use fewer parts, resulting in a lower bill of material and smaller casings. And since these things use the USB-C interface, they protect from overcharging because the devices negotiate their power needs when charging begins.