If you have bought the spanking new iPhone 13 or the recent Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3, you will definitely notice that the power charger is missing in the box. You only get a USB-C cable instead, despite these smartphones costing an arm and a leg.
Thus, you probably want to get a proper power charger. And if you are looking for one, I would recommend getting a Gallium Nitride (GaN) charger. GaN is a semiconductor material said to be 10 times smaller, but five times more efficient than the common silicon used in traditional chargers.
As such, GaN chargers are smaller while providing more wattage when charging your mobile devices. It is also great to carry around, as we adapt to the ever-changing work from home (WFH) or office arrangements due to the fluid nature of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Here, we look at three GaN power chargers that might suit your needs.
Sanho HyperJuice 100W GaN USB-C Charger
SPECS
PRICE: S$149.90, available in Lazada and Shopee
PORTS: 2 x USB-C, 2 x USB-A
WEIGHT: 220g (with UK plug adaptor)
This is the most expensive GaN charger in this roundup. However, the Sanho HyperJuice 100W GaN USB-C Charger offers the most number of ports here with two USB-C ports (with each providing up to 100W output) and two USB-A ports (up to 18W output each). Thus, it can charge two laptops and two mobile devices simultaneously.
Yet, it has a footprint of a credit card, while measuring only 2.9cm thick and and weighing 220g.
I was able to charge four devices, my 15-inch MacBook Pro, a 12.9-inch iPad Pro, an iPad mini (6th-generation) and an iPhone 12 Pro Max, at the same time as advertised.
Using the Apple-supplied USB-C-to-Lightning cable with one 100W USB-C port and no other ports in use, the charger was able to charge my iPhone 12 Pro Max from 50 per cent battery life to full in 59 minutes. This is a surprise, as it is the slowest timing despite having a bigger wattage.
However, the charger has a built-in foldable two-flat-pin plug for use in the US and comes with three adaptors for use in Britain (which applies to Singapore), Europe and Australia. So it can be used anywhere in the world.
Its size, array of ports and multiple plugs make it perfect for both work from home (WFH) and travelling when life goes back to normal again.
UGreen 65W GaN Fast Charger
SPECS
PRICE: S$69.99, available in Lazada and Shopee
PORTS: 3 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A
WEIGHT: 189g
The UGreen 65W GaN Fast Charger is the most affordable one in this roundup with a price tag of only S$69.99 (or cheaper with online offers and discounts).
In terms of weight, it is sandwiched between the other two charger weighing 189g. But in terms of size, it is the thickest at 3.2cm even though it has a smaller footprint than an EZ-Link card.
On the bright size, it comes with three USB-C ports and one USB-A port. Two USB-C ports have a power delivery output of 65W while the other one only has an 18W output. The lone USB-A port has a 22.5W output that supports Huawei 5A supercharging.
Still, it was able to charge all four devices – a M1 MacBook Pro, an iPad mini (6th-generation), a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 and an iPhone 12 Pro Max – with ease but not with speed. It does get a bit hot when you are charging all the devices at the same time.
Using the Apple-supplied USB-C-to-Lightning cable with the 45W-60W port and no other ports in use, the UGreen charger was able to charge my iPhone 12 Pro Max from 50 per cent battery life to full in 50 minutes. A result that sandwiched itself between the Belkin and HyperJuice.
Belkin BoostCharge Dual USB-C GaN Wall Charger 63W
SPECS
PRICE: S$99, available in Lazada and Shopee
PORTS: 2 x USB-C
WEIGHT: 150g
Tipping the scales at 150g and measuring 2.9cm thick, the Belkin BoostCharge Dual USB-C GaN Wall Charger 63W has the smallest footprint out of the three in this roundup.
However, it has only two USB-C charging ports – one rated at 18W output and the other at up to 60W output. It is important to note that if you are using both ports at the same time, you will get one at 18W output and the other port dropping to 45W output.
In other words, while it can charge any smartphone and tablet with ease, it might not be able to fast charge a laptop like a 15-inch MacBook Pro. But if you have a 13-inch MacBook Pro or MacBook Air, there should be no issues.
Using the Apple-supplied USB-C-to-Lightning cable with the 45W-60W port only, this Belkin charger was able to charge my iPhone 12 Pro Max from 50 per cent battery life to full in 45 minutes. Surprisingly, is the fastest in this roundup.
So, if you do not have a MacBook Air and an iPhone, this charger might just fit the bill for you. Furthermore, this charger is currently selling at a discounted price of S$69.
