Apple has revealed that its new 35W Dual USB-C Port Power Adapter, which went on sale last weekend, can automatically adjust its power output depending on what type of device is connected.
A new support document explains that when devices are connected to the charger’s USB-C ports, the (relatively decent) 35W output is split “based on their power requirements”. In practice, this means that MacBooks, iPhones and iPads are preferred over Apple Watch and AirPods.
If you connect both a MacBook and an iPad, for example, the wattage is evenly divided: each device gets up to 17.5W. But pairing one of these high-end devices with the Apple Watch or AirPods case means a split of 27.5W / 7.5W. Note that the all-important “until” prefix connects to all of these statistics; Your mileage may vary.
Apple adds that the fastest way to charge is to focus on a single device. “If any one device needs more power, unplug the other device and its charging cable from your power adapter,” the article explains.
Apple’s dual charger has been rumored since early April, and finally sold out last week. In addition to the standard charger, there is a compact version that may be more suitable for mobile users. Both versions are priced at 35W, and both are priced at $ 59. (UK readers are only offered the larger version, which costs £ 69 including the UK plug.)