On June 5th, Apple's WWDC23 was held as scheduled in California, where they unveiled new hardware, including the 15-inch MacBook Air. Additionally, Apple introduced a brand new 70W USB-C Power Adapter specifically designed for the MacBook Air 15", available as an optional accessory for purchase.

Brand New 70W USB-C Power Adapter

The design of this device follows the traditional single-port design used by Apple, and the USB-C port is encircled by a white rubber material that undergoes the same manufacturing process as Apple's 67W, 96W, and 140W power adapters. This is a departure from previous models like the 67W and 96W, which utilized a metal process and are no longer available.

With its glossy white exterior adorned by the iconic Apple logo, the power adapter maintains its recognizable aesthetics. Furthermore, it still incorporates the convenient detachable folding plug design, allowing for effortless portability and storage.

This new 70W power adapter is now available on the official Apple website, priced at $59. Meanwhile, the 67W version has been removed from the website and is no longer searchable, indicating that the 67W charger has been replaced and discontinued by the 70W model.

Featuring a detachable folding plug design, the power adapter can be easily disassembled. It is equipped with a circular metal disc on the input end for reinforcement and grounding, while the two internal pins are clearly used for power supply, compatible with certain two-prong power cords.

Additionally, this design allows users to purchase plugs with different specifications according to their individual needs, such as US, European, and UK standards, making it convenient for international travel and business trips. Moreover, by using a three-prong plug with an extension cord, the power adapter can be transformed into a charging station, significantly extending its range of use.

What About the Performance?

Although the official Apple website does not provide specific performance specifications for the charger, the product information page reveals an important detail: the detailed model number of the new 70W USB-C charger is A2743, providing valuable information about its origin.

You may not be aware, but chargers legally sold in China must obtain the so-called 3C certification. By searching the database of the China Quality Certification Center for Apple charger manufacturers, we were able to find detailed information about this power adapter. The model number is A2743, manufactured by Salcomp (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., and the certification date is June 6, 2023. The input specification is 100-240V ~ 50-60Hz 1.8A, and the output is 5V3A / 9V3A / 15V3A / 20.6V3.4A.

Unfortunately, based on the information disclosed, this newly introduced 70W power adapter still only supports fixed PDOs and does not include the PPS voltage subset. Therefore, it seems that this charger is primarily intended for laptops.

Why Upgrade to 70W?

Last year, ChargerLAB conducted in-depth charging review on the MacBook Air 13" (2022 M2) and found that its peak charging power already exceeded 70W. This made the 67W charger from Apple insufficient, and the larger 96W one was somewhat awkward in terms of size.

Based on charging tests from 0% to 100% with the Apple 140W power adapter, the peak power and sustained power of this old MacBook Air already exceeded the 67W limit. Hence, it is only logical for Apple to introduce a 70W charger that can better cater to the needs of contemporary, slim, and highly portable laptops. This step ensures efficient and optimized charging performance, aligning with the evolving requirements of modern computing devices.

All Model of Apple USB PD Power Adapter

Including the newly released 70W version, Apple has now introduced a total of twelve single-port USB-C power adapters. These include discontinued models such as the 18W (A1695), 29W (A1540), 30W (A1882), 61W (A1718), 61W (A1947), 67W (A2518), and 87W (A1719).

The currently available models are the 20W (A2244), 30W (A2164), 70W (A2743), 96W (A2166), and the 140W (A2452) that supports PD 3.1. Additionally, there are two dual USB-C port power adapters, namely the compact version A2579 and the traditional version A2676.

Has the Size of the 70W Version Been Reduced?

Apple fans should be aware that the interchangeable plugs of their chargers are universally compatible with all Apple chargers. In other words, the size remains fixed. Therefore, by comparing the sizes of the interchangeable plugs listed on the official website, one can proportionally scale down the different chargers to determine the size of the new 70W one.

By placing three versions of the chargers on one image and scaling them proportionally, it can be observed that the newly introduced 70W charger is smaller than the 67W model, lying between the sizes of the 67W and 30W chargers. Based on this estimation, the size of the 70W one is approximately 64 x 64 x 29mm (2.52 x 2.52 x 1.14 inches), or 118cm³, with a power density of about 0.6W/cm³. However, these are all speculations, as ChargerLAB has already placed an order for this charger and will provide actual test data as soon as it arrives.

Let's take a look at the data for Apple's other chargers. The 30W charger has a power density of 0.39W/cm³, the 67W charger is slightly higher at 0.43W/cm³, the 96W charger is 0.52W/cm³, and the 140W charger reaches 0.67W/cm³. It is evident that the power density of the new 70W charger approaches that of the 140W charger, representing a significant improvement in the mid-power range.

PFC stands for Power Factor Correction circuit, which is used in chargers to boost the rectified voltage and supply power to the switch-mode power supply through capacitor filtering. Generally, chargers with a power rating of 75W or higher require the addition of PFC circuit. The bulky PFC boost inductor occupies a considerable amount of internal space in the charger, making it larger and less portable.

The Apple 70W USB-C Power Adapter, in terms of power rating, does not exceed the 75W threshold, eliminating the need for a large-sized PFC circuit. This leads to higher utilization of internal space, resulting in a smaller size and cost advantage.

Summary of ChargerLAB

Overall, the Apple 70W USB-C Power Adapter adopts the classic Apple single-port USB PD design. It supports input voltage from 100-240V and retains the highly praised interchangeable folding plug. The output includes four fixed PDOs of 5V3A, 9V3A, 15V3A, and 20.6V3.4A, without including the PPS voltage subset. It is compact in size, powerful in performance, and convenient to carry. As the third option following the 61W and 67W chargers, it serves as another flagship product in the mid-power range, providing fast charging services with medium to high power for the entire MacBook Air laptop series.

The Apple charger family undergoes steady iteration. iPhones and iPads are primarily served by the 20W and 30W chargers, while the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models are covered by the 70W, 96W, and 140W chargers. Alongside the addition of the 35W dual-port charger, a new lineup is completed. Currently, there is a gap in high-power multi-port chargers. Additionally, the upcoming iPhone 15 will high likely adopt the USB-C port, indicating a comprehensive reform in charging technology and the possible release of corresponding PPS chargers for the future iPhone.

ChargerLAB has placed an order for the Apple 70W USB-C Power Adapter and will promptly deliver in-depth reviews and teardown video once it arrives. Be sure to stay tuned for future updates!

A Closer Look at the Brand New Apple 70W USB-C Power Adapter