Apple begins selling 18W USB-C power adapter separately for iPhones & iPads

Apple on Wednesday launched a standalone option for its 18-watt USB-C power adapter, enabling fast charging for the iPhone 8, iPhone X, iPhone XR, and iPhone XS.

The U.S. version of the adapter costs $29. Buyers will, however, have to supply their own charging cable. There are also various international editions, such as the British one, which sports a unique folding prong mechanism.

The adapter is the same one bundled with 2018 iPad Pros. The ability to buy the product separately has been an ongoing demand, especially given the growing standardization of USB-C in and outside of the Apple ecosystem. For people already invested in the technology, it may allow them to reduce cable clutter or swap in a substitute cable as needed.

iPhones supporting fast charging include the 8, 8 Plus, X, XS, XS Max, and XR.

At the moment, Apple is the only company allowed to produce USB-C-to-Lightning cables. That could finally change this February.

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42 Comments

avon b7 8012 comments · 20 Years

About 5 years ago

This really should be in the box or a free BTO option. The included charger is a very poor offering.

StrangeDays 12962 comments · 8 Years

About 5 years ago

avon b7 said:

This really should be in the box or a free BTO option. The included charger is a very poor offering.

No it shouldn't, it's less desirable for most people, because most people still use the older USB plugs and Lightning cables. USB-C is a nice to have, but it hasn't gone critical yet. If they put this and only this in the box, you people (well, not you, as you're not a real customer) would have a shit-fit over having to replace all of your charging cables. "What a racket! Apple is forcing us to buy more cables!" yada yada....

It's a balancing act. So far I see no reason to believe Apple isn't doing it right. Certainly not because of what knockoff cheerleaders on techie sites say...

razorpit 1793 comments · 17 Years

About 5 years ago

StrangeDays said:

avon b7 said:

This really should be in the box or a free BTO option. The included charger is a very poor offering.

No it shouldn't, it's less desirable for most people, because most people still use the older USB plugs and Lightning cables. USB-C is a nice to have, but it hasn't gone critical yet. If they put this and only this in the box, you people (well, not you, as you're not a real customer) would have a shit-fit over having to replace all of your charging cables. "What a racket! Apple is forcing us to buy more cables!" yada yada....

It's a balancing act. So far I see no reason to believe Apple isn't doing it right. Certainly not because of what knockoff cheerleaders on techie sites say...

How is a 5W charger is better for the consumer than a 18W charger? Most people have several 5W chargers by now. If they want to use one them let them. Macs have had USB-C for two years now.

svanstrom 685 comments · 7 Years

About 5 years ago

StrangeDays said:

avon b7 said:

This really should be in the box or a free BTO option. The included charger is a very poor offering.

No it shouldn't, it's less desirable for most people, because most people still use the older USB plugs and Lightning cables. USB-C is a nice to have, but it hasn't gone critical yet. If they put this and only this in the box, you people (well, not you, as you're not a real customer) would have a shit-fit over having to replace all of your charging cables. "What a racket! Apple is forcing us to buy more cables!" yada yada....

It's a balancing act. So far I see no reason to believe Apple isn't doing it right. Certainly not because of what knockoff cheerleaders on techie sites say...

They either should include this one, or none at all. I’m fed up with getting more and more 5W chargers. At this point I’ve started suspecting that they’re actually breeding (at a rate putting the most prolific rabbits at shame).

avon b7 8012 comments · 20 Years

About 5 years ago

StrangeDays said:

avon b7 said:

This really should be in the box or a free BTO option. The included charger is a very poor offering.

No it shouldn't, it's less desirable for most people, because most people still use the older USB plugs and Lightning cables. USB-C is a nice to have, but it hasn't gone critical yet. If they put this and only this in the box, you people (well, not you, as you're not a real customer) would have a shit-fit over having to replace all of your charging cables. "What a racket! Apple is forcing us to buy more cables!" yada yada....

It's a balancing act. So far I see no reason to believe Apple isn't doing it right. Certainly not because of what knockoff cheerleaders on techie sites say...

If you're buying a new - expensive - phone that can benefit from this charger, just bung it in the box or make it a free BTO option.

What cables or chargers they might already have is basically irrelevant unless they want an even bigger collection of 5W chargers.

Let's be frank. This is just another example of Apple making even more money off yet another accessory.