USB-C charging, explained without the jargon

USB-C made cables simpler, but chargers still come with confusing labels. The good news: you only need to understand a few numbers.

Watts are what matter

Watts tell you how much power a charger can deliver. Phones typically charge quickly at 20–30 W, tablets at 30–45 W and most laptops at 45–100 W. A charger with more watts than your device needs is perfectly safe — devices only take what they can use.

Power Delivery

USB Power Delivery (PD) is the standard that lets a charger and device agree on the right voltage. Look for 'PD' on chargers and power banks to get fast, safe charging across brands.

Why GaN chargers are smaller

Gallium nitride components waste less energy as heat, so manufacturers can fit more power into a smaller body. A modern 65 W GaN charger is about the size of an old phone adapter.