Apple’s Mysterious New Dual USB-C Charger Will Solve This Big Pain Point

Now that almost all of Apple’s devices have embraced USB-C charging in one form or another, it looks like Apple may be getting ready to release its first-ever dual-port charger so we can finally charge more than one device at a time.

While not every Apple device includes a USB-C port yet, Apple has standardized USB-C for the charging end – even Apple’s Lightning-equipped devices and accessories come with a Lightning-to-USB-C cable in the box, rather than the older USB-A version.

That includes all current iPhone models, from the iPhone 11 to the iPhone 13 lineup, the new 2022 iPhone SE, and accessories like AirPods, the MagSafe Duo Charger, and even the MagSafe Battery pack.

Apple’s standard MagSafe Charger also has a USB-C cable permanently affixed to it, and the Apple Watch Series 7 now includes a USB-C fast charging puck. Even the HomePod mini uses a USB-C cable and power adapter rather than the fixed plug of its full-sized predecessor.

So, with USB-C now clearly being the way ahead, it’s not surprising that Apple wants to provide its own first-party power adapter for folks who have more than one Apple device that needs charging. Which, let’s face it, is most of us.

Apple’s 35W Dual USB-C Power Adapter

For a brief moment, a document appeared on Apple’s website revealing the existence of an “Apple 35W Dual USB-C Port Power Adapter.”

Use the Apple 35W Dual USB-C Port Power Adapter and a USB-C cable (not included) to charge your device. Connect a USB-C cable to either port on the power adapter, extend the electrical prongs (if necessary), then plug the power adapter firmly into the power outlet. Ensure the power outlet is easily accessible for disconnecting. Connect the other end of the cable to your device.

The document was quickly removed, but not before the folks at 9to5Mac spotted it. Since no such adapter exists, the article was obviously published inadvertently. Still, it’s a good sign that Apple is working on such an adapter, and if it’s already being drafted into support articles, it’s also a safe bet that it could appear very soon.

What’s particularly significant about this is that such an adapter would mark a first for Apple. With a 35W power rating, it’s likely not intended to handle the needs of most MacBook users, but it would be more than enough to fast charge both an iPhone 13 Pro Max (27W) and an Apple Watch Series 7 (5W) at the same time.

Naturally, this charger would follow the USB Power Delivery standard. According to the specs provided in the document, it would handle all the standard voltages, from 5V at 3A up to 20V at 1.75A.

We’ve also been hearing that Apple is working on chargers using Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology, which would allow Apple to build them smaller and lighter. Other companies have been doing this for a while, but Apple has only gone there with its 140W charger for the 16-inch MacBook Pro, which works with a USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable.

Apple’s 140W power brick is already pretty big — about the same size as an old-school Airport Express — so it’s frightening to think about how much larger it would have become if Apple hadn’t relied on GaN technology to build it.

However, some speculate that this mysterious new 35W USB-C adapter could be Apple’s next GaN-powered adapter. Last month, Ming-Chi Kuo predicted a new charger in the 30W range that would sport a new design, and it seems like this would fit the bill.

So far, Apple’s iPhone chargers top out at 20W, while Mac chargers start at 30W for the entry-level MacBook Air. However, that one is an outlier. The base 13-inch MacBook Pro gets a 61W adapter, and they increase in power from there.

Still, this does mean that a 35W adapter would be more than sufficient to power or charge a MacBook Pro. However, since there wouldn’t be much left over for anything else, we suspect that’s not going to be its primary focus. More likely, it will be aimed at iPhone and iPad users for charging those devices and related accessories.

[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]