A teardown of Apple's new 40W Dynamic Power Adapter shows how Apple manages to squeeze a massive 60W charging capacity while also maintaining safety by monitoring the temperature.
Apple is known for its innovative designs that even impacts accessories like its chargers. In a teardown of the 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max, Apple works hard to put as much charging performance into a unit that wouldn't look out of place against its other chargers.
The appeal of the 40W Dynamic Power Adapter is that it can deliver in excess of that headline figure. In fact, it is capable of outputting at up to 60W when needed by an iPhone 17 or a MacBook Pro.
The teardown by ChargerLab of the 40W Dynamic Power Adapter reveals the inner workings of the charger, with some intelligent internal decisions by Apple to keep everything safe.
The initial design is close to the 35W Dual USB-C Charger taken apart in 2022, complete with foldable prongs. Inside are components that not only control what is being charged, but also to make sure it doesn't overheat when pushed to its extremes.
Like its predecessor, the charger uses snap-fit clips and ultrasonic welding, with the inner side lined with a graphite thermal pad and a rubber cushion. Apple also relies on a lot of adhesive and shielding for the components inside the adapter.
The master control chip used for the charger is a custom Apple-commissioned chip from PI. It integrates a primary controller, high-voltage MOSFET, synchronous rectifier controller, and feedback functions, while also simplifying the fast charging power circuit design.
The output filtering is controlled by an Infineon protocol chip with filtering via capacitors from NCC and Nichicon.
While operating at its peak of 60W, an internal thermistor monitors the internal temperature. When things get warm, the thermistor steps in to dynamically adjust the power level downward, cooling components in the process.
In review, ChargerLab says the casing is "robust as usual" thanks to its graphite thermal pads. The further reinforcement of a PCBA module with foam pads and a plastic bracket demonstrate "reliable workmanship."
The Apple 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max is available from Amazon for $39.
