Anker PowerPort Atom PD1 30W USB-C charger and Anker USB-C-to-Lightning cable
While everyone got excited about the iPhone wireless charging feature, it's not the most exciting charge-related feature. Instead, that would be the iPhone's support for fast-charging using PD (Power Delivery) over USB-C. But for some reason – knowing Apple, the reason is related to saving money – the new iPhones come with a regular old mains 5W USB charger.
It's no surprise that Apple will sell you a USB-C charger and cable for your iPhone that supports fast charge, capable of taking the battery from flat to 50 percent in 30 minutes. But those two accessories will set you back almost $70.
But fear not, you can kit yourself out with a USB-C mains charger and cable for less than the hardware Apple wants to sell you.
Must read: 10 Apple products you shouldn't buy (March 2019 edition)
Here's what you need:
Anker PowerPort Atom PD1 30W USB-C charger
Apple's 30W USB-C charger is a huge thing, but Anker switched out the silicon with gallium nitride (GaN), which is more efficient and generates less heat, to create the world's smallest PD charger.
How small is the PowerPort Atom PD1?
No bigger than a golf ball, that's how small!
Price: $29.99
Anker PowerPort Atom PD1 30W USB-C charger
Anker USB-C-to-Lightning cable
The Anker USB-C-to-Lightning cable might only be a few dollars cheaper than the cable Apple sells, but it's far, far more durable. You can pull and yank and tug at this one to your heart's content and it just keeps on working.
Highly recommended!
Price: $17.99
Anker USB-C-to-Lightning cable
See also:
- The new MacBook Pro's most hideous design flaw
- How to stop your iPhone from tracking and storing the locations of where you live, work, and visit
- The downsides of buying a new Mac
- Some GPS receivers may malfunction on or after April 6
- Should you be scared of your laptop's webcam?
- This iOS 12 trick allows you to passcode-protect apps
- Anker USB-C to Lightning cables coming March
- Apple's biggest embarrassment of 2018
- Five major challenges facing Apple in 2019
- Weird but really useful gadgets