Apple's new 16-inch MacBook Pro charger uses GaN to stay small

The 140W charger for the new 16-inch MacBook Pro is Apple's first one to use gallium nitride technology to keep it small, and improve power delivery capacity.

As part of the launch of its new 16-inch MacBook Pro with MagSafe support, Apple introduced a new 140W charger for its hardware. A considerable jump from the 67W and 96W chargers included with the new notebooks, the charger has Apple incorporating new technologies in the accessory for the first time.

The charger is Apple's first to employ gallium nitride, or GaN, the company confirmed to The Verge. GaN is a material that allows for higher voltage capacity and reduced energy loss due to heat, for example.

The efficiency of the material enables producers to create physically smaller chargers with similar capabilities to more conventional production methods.

Apple's new charger is also one that uses the USB-C Power Delivery 3.1 standard, making it cross-compatible with other hardware that adheres to the same standard.

Apple also clarified the fast charging capability of the charger, as it exceeds the previous USB-C Power Delivery cap of 100W.

As the 14-inch MacBook Pro can fast charge at a maximum of 96W, it can do so via both the MagSafe 3 and Thunderbolt 4 ports.

For the 16-inch model, you can recharge using either MagSafe 3 or Thunderbolt 4, but you won't reach the 140W fast charging capability of the new charger unless you use the MagSafe port and Apple's charger — for now.

The new 140W charger is being sold as a separate purchase to the MacBook Pros, at $99. That price excludes the $49 USB-C to MagSafe cable.

32 Comments

crowley 10431 comments · 15 Years

About 3 years ago

Looks like an old AirPort Express.

melgross 33613 comments · 20 Years

crowley said:

Looks like an old AirPort Express.

Yes, it does.

wood1208 2935 comments · 10 Years

Apple should build all of there power bricks to use GaN tech. Not sure efficient but smaller size for the same power output.

MplsP 4028 comments · 8 Years

melgross said:

crowley said:

Looks like an old AirPort Express.

Yes, it does.

Where’s the 3.5mm audio jack? :tongue:

wood1208 said:

Apple should build all of there power bricks to use GaN tech. Not sure efficient but smaller size for the same power output.

They may move that way eventually. I’m sure they cost more so the cost-benefit ratio isn’t there for lower power chargers.

AppleInsider said:

For the 16-inch model, you can recharge using either MagSafe 3 or Thunderbolt 4, but you won't reach the 140W fast charging capability of the new charger unless you use the MagSafe port and Apple's charger -- for now.

The new 140W charger is being sold as a separate purchase to the MacBook Pros, at $99. That price excludes the $49 USB-C to MagSafe cable.

Well, there’s an answer to the people complaining about the MagSafe port - the USB C ports have a lower power capacity. Theoretically it seems like they should be able to handle more power. I assume there was a limitation with the TB4 controller?

$100 and $50 for the charger/cable seems a bit pricey. There aren’t any other $140W GaN chargers on the market, though so you really can’t compare but Apple’s straight USB C charging cable is only $20. A $30 premium for the MagSafe connector is a bit steep. The good news is unlike the old MacBook MagSafe chargers, you can simply swap out the cable if it breaks or wears out. (Or get a USB C cable if you don’t need the extra speed/convenience.)

Eric_WVGG 969 comments · 8 Years

I understand why they didn't bring back the flip-out "claws" of the 'naughts chargers, but I wish some accessory maker would step up and make some kind of thingy to hold or store the cable when it's in a bag.