Apple’s 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max
Apple’s latest charger didn’t steal the spotlight at the iPhone 17 event, but maybe it should have. The company revealed a new 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max output, and what makes it stand out is support for USB Power Delivery 3.2 AVS. That’s a fancy way of saying the charger can adjust voltage much more precisely, delivering cleaner, faster, and more efficient charging. According to The Verge, it’s only the second charger on the market to support this standard.
So what’s the big deal? Normally, chargers push out fixed steps of power, which can waste energy and heat up your device. With AVS, the charger fine-tunes the voltage so your iPhone pulls exactly what it needs. That means potentially faster charges without the battery degradation that comes from overheating. Apple says you can get an iPhone 17 to half capacity in about 20 minutes with this brick, which could be a lifesaver when you’re on the move.
There are limits, though. While it’s rated for up to 60W, testing shows it only holds that peak power for about 18 minutes before throttling down. That’s plenty for a phone but less ideal if you’re trying to keep a MacBook Pro at full performance while plugged in. Still, for everyday charging of iPhones, iPads, or even accessories, it looks like a strong upgrade.
Interestingly, Apple isn’t first here. Google rolled out a Pixel Flex charger earlier this year that also supports AVS. The difference is that Apple tends to move the market when it commits to a new standard. If the iPhone ecosystem starts normalizing AVS, expect accessory makers like Anker and Belkin to follow quickly with their own adapters.
And there are some fun side notes. Reports suggest the new charger can even power the Nintendo Switch 2 in docked mode, which usually requires about 60W. That hints at surprising versatility beyond just iPhones. But remember, because of the throttling, it’s not a full replacement for high-demand laptop chargers.
All in all, this isn’t just a minor spec bump. Apple adopting AVS could quietly kick off a broader shift in charging tech. If chargers become smarter rather than just more powerful, we could be looking at faster top-ups, cooler devices, and batteries that last longer.