GaN Chargers and Fast Charging, Explained Without the Jargon

Phone boxes rarely include chargers now, which leaves many people staring at a confusing range of options. Here is how to choose a charger.

What GaN means

GaN stands for gallium nitride, a material that allows chargers to be smaller and run cooler at the same power. It does not automatically make charging faster. Compare wattage and charging standard first.

Charging standards

• USB Power Delivery (PD): widely used for iPhones, laptops and many Android devices.
• PPS: an extension of PD used by many Samsung phones for their faster charging.
• Proprietary standards: such as SUPERVOOC on Oppo and OnePlus, and HyperCharge on Xiaomi. These usually need the original charger for full speed.

A phone will generally not draw more power than it can safely accept, so a stronger charger is usually fine.

How many watts do you need?

• Most iPhones: 20W or a little more.
• Many Samsung phones: 25W, with some Ultra models accepting 45W.
• Tablets and iPads: 20W to 45W.
• Thin laptops: 45W to 65W.
• Bigger laptops: 100W or more.

Multi-port chargers

Chargers such as UGREEN's Nexode 65W and 100W models can charge several devices at once. Watch out: power is shared among the ports, so a 65W charger may not deliver 65W to each device at the same time.

Our range

Oraimo offers 20W, 25W, 35W, 45W and 65W USB-C chargers, as well as older-style options.

UGREEN offers Nexode GaN chargers, including retractable-cable models.

Baseus has its GaN 3 Desktop charger.

Apple 20W and Samsung 25W chargers are official options.

Google and Motorola chargers are available as well, including the 68W TurboPower adapter.

Cables matter too

A cheap cable can limit charging speed. For 60W and above, use a cable rated accordingly. For more than 60W you need an e-marked cable. We stock 60W, 100W and 240W USB-C cables. iPhones before the iPhone 15 use Lightning, so use a certified cable.

Is fast charging bad for the battery?

Heat is what really harms batteries, more than speed by itself. Modern phones manage fast charging carefully. Avoid charging under pillows or in hot places. Read iPhone battery health explained.

Avoid unsafe chargers

Unbranded chargers can have poor safety protection. They can overheat or damage devices. Buy from reputable brands and sellers.

Don't forget portable power

Pair your charger with a power bank or car charger. If you have a USB-C laptop, a USB-C hub can pass power through as well.