GoKawiil
Tech News
The Amazon Basics 68W Two-Port GaN Wall Charger is currently discounted to $21. It features one USB-C port supporting up to 60W with USB Power Delivery and one USB-A port up to 18W, combining for a 68W maximum output, though USB-C power drops to about 50W when both ports are used simultaneously. The compact charger measures roughly 2.6 x 2.46 x 1.16 inches and holds a 4.6-star rating on Amazon.
Apple published a support document outlining how to achieve fastest charging speeds on iPhone Duo. Wired charging to 50% in about 20 minutes requires the bundled USB-C cable paired with a 60W+ adapter supporting Adjustable Voltage Supply and USB-PD 3.2, such as Apple's 40W Dynamic Power Adapter. Wireless charging to 50% in roughly 30 minutes requires a specific MagSafe-compatible charger named in Apple's guidance.
USB extenders and long cables can technically move both power and data, but rarely deliver top performance in both categories at once. For example, Anker's 10-foot 240W USB-C cable transfers data at just 480Mbps, while Icron's 328-foot extender hits 5Gbps but only supplies 6W per port. USB-IF's compliance rules also don't cover generic male-to-female USB-C extension cables, even though such cables aren't illegal to sell or use.
Monitors with built-in USB hubs use two types of ports: an upstream port that links the monitor to a computer, and downstream ports where peripherals like keyboards or drives connect. If a monitor's video signal runs over HDMI or DisplayPort, those cables don't carry USB data, so a separate USB upstream cable is required for the hub's downstream ports to function. USB-C can eliminate that extra cable when the monitor and cable support DisplayPort Alt Mode and USB Power Delivery.
Amazon has discounted Belkin's 45W USB-C wall charger by 25%, bringing the price down to $14.99. The compact charger supports USB Power Delivery 3.1 and Programmable Power Supply (PPS) standards, making it compatible with fast charging for phones, tablets, and some laptops.
Google's Pixel 11 Pro XL nearly hits its advertised 45W wired charging speed, peaking at 40.7W, but only when paired with a specific USB-C charger supporting 21V at 2A under the USB PD PPS protocol. Common PPS chargers limited to 11V, including some rated up to 67W, only delivered around 25W in testing, and even with the ideal charger the phone still takes about 21 minutes to reach 50% charge.