Tag: MagSafe

M2 MacBook Air vs. M1 MacBook Air: things have changed | Digital Trends

tech FranklinWilbur

M2 MacBook Air vs. M1 MacBook Air: things have changed | Digital Trends

The Apple MacBook Air M1 has been among our favorite MacBooks for some time now, and it’s even held a place on our list of the best laptops overall. The new MacBook Air M2 is a significant redesign, bringing with it a new chassis and Apple’s latest M2 processor.

Sometimes, it’s easy to recommend the new model over the old one, especially when the new model brings significant improvements. The M2 MacBook Air qualifies, as it feels a lot more like a completely new model than a simple replacement of the old one. While Apple continues to sell the original M1 MacBook Air at a lower price, the M2 MacBook Air can often be had for only a little more money. That makes the choice between them a lot easier.

Specs

  Apple M1 MacBook Air Apple M2 MacBook Air
Dimensions 11.97 inches x 8.36 inches x 0.16 to 0.63 inches 11.97 inches x 8.46 inches x 0.44 inches
Weight 2.8 pounds 2.7 pounds
Processor Apple M1 Apple M2
Graphics Apple M1 Apple M2
RAM 8GB
16GB		 8GB
16GB
24GB
Display 13.3-inch 16:10 IPS 2560 x 1600 13.6-inch 16:10 IPS 2460 x 1664
Storage 256GB SSD
512GB SSD
1TB SSD
2TB SSD		 256GB SSD
512GB SSD
1TB SSD
2TB SSD
Touch No No
Ports 2 x USB-C with Thunderbolt 4
1 x 3.5mm audio jack		 2 x USB-C with Thunderbolt 4
1 x 3.5mm audio jack
1 x MagSafe 3
Wireless Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0
Webcam 720p 1080p
Operating system MacOS MacOS
Battery 49.9 watt-hours 52.6 watt-hour
Price $999+ $1,199+

Price and configurations

The M1 MacBook Air starts at $999 with the eight-core CPU, seven-core GPU M1 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB solid-state drive (SSD). It tops out at $1,999 for 16GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD. Note that you’re likely to find the M1 MacBook Air discounted at various non-Apple retail outlets, sometimes as low as $850.

The M2 MacBook Air has an entry-level price of $1,099 for an eight-core CPU, eight-core GPU M2, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. The next price jump is to $1,299 for a 512GB SSD, which you’ll want to consider (see the performance section below). The most you’ll spend is $2,399 for an eight-core CPU, 10-core GPU M2, 24GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD. Like the M1 model, though, the M2 MacBook Air can often be had for less from third parties, often as low as $950.

That means that you’re not necessarily spending a lot more money for the newer version.

Design

Right off the bat, the M2 MacBook Air drops the iconic wedge shape that made the Air famous. Instead, the M2 version adopts the same squared-off sides and rounded edges as its bigger brothers, the MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch. While it does lose a bit of flair (and extreme thinness up front), it does make the MacBook line more consistent.

The new M2 MacBook Air chassis also continues to live up to its namesake by being only 2.7 pounds and 0.44 inches thin across the entire chassis. It’s perfect for those who prize portability over raw power (though it has plenty of that, as we’ll see later). It should be noted: The M2 MacBook Air is just 0.1 pounds lighter than the M1 MacBook Air.

The keyboard on the M2 MacBook Air isn’t that different from the M1 version but does look more in line with the larger MacBook Pro models. This includes the Touch ID button being slightly different than the M1’s, as well as the full-size function keys along the top.

While the stereo speakers on the M1 MacBook Air flank the sides of the keyboard, the M2 MacBook Air places its four-speaker setup in between the keyboard and the hinge. This new speaker setup also includes support for Spatial Audio, both through Dolby Atmos in the built-in speakers and dynamic head tracking using the high-end Apple AirPods products.

Display

The screen of the MacBook Air on a table.
Digital Trends

The display has been widened ever so slightly from 13.3 inches on the M1 Air to 13.6 inches on the M2 Air. That change is because of the reduced bezel size, both along the side edges and the top. That means, yes, the new MacBook Air includes a notch, and the old one does not. The screen also has rounded edges along the top corners.

Tucked into the notch is an improved 1080p webcam, bumped up from the 720p option on the M1 MacBook Air. You might be enticed to use Apple’s Continuity Camera with the M1 MacBook Air, which converts your iPhone into a webcam. On the M2 MacBook Air, that probably won’t be necessary.

The panel itself has also been upgraded to a 2560 x 1660 Liquid Retina display, which Apple says is the biggest and brightest ever on a MacBook Air. Liquid Retina is certainly a bump up from the M1 MacBook Air, but don’t expect the same eye-popping look of the Super Retina XDR, which is the mini-LED panel saved for the iPad Pro and MacBook Pro (14-inch and 16-inch).

This display does support up to a billion colors and has an increased brightness to 500 nits. That’s compared to the 400 nits possible with the M1 MacBook Air. Both displays have True Tone technology. As we can see in the table below, the M2 MacBook Air’s display is brighter, has wider and more accurate colors, and enjoys deeper contrast. It’s a real improvement over the M1 MacBook Air.

Apple M1 MacBook Air Apple M2 MacBook Air
Brightness
(nits)		 389 486
AdobeRGB gamut 79% 90%
 sRGB gamut 100% 100%
Accuracy
(DeltaE, lower is better)		 1.39 1.08
Contrast ratio 1,130:1 1,310:1

Ports

A side of the MacBook Air showing the ports.
Digital Trends

When it comes to ports, both the M1 and M2 MacBook Air have the same arrangement: two Thunderbolt 3 ports that support USB 4 and USB 3.1 Gen 2 speeds. Both devices are capable of supporting just one external display, however.

There’s also a combo headphone mic jack on the M2 MacBook Air that Apple says supports high-impedance headphones, which the M1 MacBook Air does not.

The one major difference is the inclusion of the MagSafe 3 magnetic charging port on the M2 version. For some, that itself is enough to justify buying a new MacBook Air. The main benefit is that it frees up one of the two USB-C ports for other purposes rather than charging. Don’t worry, though, you can still charge the laptop using the Thunderbolt ports.

Both laptops also support the same Wi-Fi 6 wireless standard and Bluetooth 5.0.

Performance and battery life

Other than the display and overall design, the M2 chip inside of the newest MacBook Air is what separates it from its predecessor.

Like the M1 version, the M2 MacBook Air is fanless, owing to the power efficiency of the M2 chip. Apple says the M2 chip is up to 1.4 times faster than the previous M1 model while still getting up to 18 hours of battery life.

While Apple doesn’t advertise a huge jump in battery life with the M2 MacBook Air, in our testing, the latest model was significantly longer-lasting. The M2 MacBook Air lasted two and a half hours longer in our web browsing test and almost three hours longer in our video test.

Apple M1 MacBook Air
(Apple M1)		 Apple M2 MacBook Air
(Apple M2)
Web browsing 15 hours, 31 minutes 17 hours, 59 minutes
Video 18 hours, 28 minutes 21 hours, 9 minutes

While a 1.4x increase in power is measurable, it’s not that much. In fact, the M2 seems to be more of a refinement of the M1 rather than a true generational leap. Still, the M2 MacBook Air benefits from being manufactured on a “second-generation 5nm” process node.

This means an overall 18% faster CPU, 35% faster GPU, and 50% more memory bandwidth as compared to the M1, now up to 100GB per second.

Importantly, the M2 MacBook Air has the same media engine used in the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros, which the M1 MacBook Air lacks. The media engine supports hardware-accelerated ProRes encoding and decoding.

The M2 MacBook Air allows you to configure your laptop with an extra 8GB of RAM for a total of 24GB, whereas the M1 MacBook Air is stuck at a maximum of 16GB. Storage options, though, are the same — both starting at 8GB and maxing out at 2TB.

Our testing bore out Apple’s claims, with a 12% increase in the Geekbench single-core test and an 18% increase in multi-core. In Cinebench R23, the M2 MacBook Air was 8% faster in single-core and 19% faster in multi-core.

Apple M1 MacBook Air
(Apple M1)		 Apple M2 MacBook Air
(Apple M2)
Geekbench 5
(single / multi)		 1,727 / 7,585 1,925 / 8,973
Cinebench R23
(single / multi)		 1,479 / 6,680 1,600 / 7,938

We’ll note that there’s been some controversy around the M2 MacBook Air in terms of its storage speed. If you buy the 256GB version, which is the least expensive, then you’ll get about half the storage performance as with the 512GB version. If you work with large files, you’ll certainly notice the difference, and you might even notice it in normal real-world use as you’re booting the laptop and opening apps.

The M2 is better, but the M1 offers amazing value

The M1 MacBook Air was already a capable machine for everyday computing, productivity, and even video editing. Those who already have an M1 Air probably don’t need to upgrade unless you really want the MagSafe connector. However, those still holding on to an Intel-based MacBook Air may want to consider upgrading. The M2 MacBook Air is the better choice, particularly if you have the budget to spring for the 512GB version.

Those who don’t already own a MacBook and are interested in buying one should probably just get the M2 model over the M1, especially if you can find it at around $950. You’ll have more options when it comes to CPU/GPU/memory and benefit from performance increases, and you’ll only spend $100 more.

Editors’ Recommendations






Best Buy Deals: Save on Laptops, TVs, Appliances, and More | Digital Trends

tech FranklinWilbur

Best Buy Deals: Save on Laptops, TVs, Appliances, and More | Digital Trends

One of the best places to shop for almost anything involving electronics says so right in its name: Best Buy. The retail giant has a ton of departments with some of today’s most popular devices, components, and appliances for sale. It also offers a lot of these at a discount, which is certainly what we’re seeing right now. Some of the best TV deals, best tablet deals, best laptop deals, and best phone deals can currently be found at Best Buy, and those are just the tip of the iceberg. We’ve tracked down all of the best deals you can shop at Best Buy right now, so read onward for some gift ideas for yourself or a loved one and for some great ways to save.

Best Buy TV deals

Samsung

There may be no better place to purchase one of the best TVs than Best Buy. There is almost always some huge savings to find on TVs at Best Buy, and that’s certainly the case right now. You’ll find deals top TV brands like Sony, Samsung, and LG, and more budget-friendly brands like TCL and Hisense are in play, too.

  • Insignia 32-inch N10 Series HD TV —

  • Roku 24-inch Select Series HD TV —

  • Vizio 24-inch D-Series HD TV —

  • Samsung 50-inch TU690T 4K TV —

  • LG 65-inch UQ70 Series 4K TV —

  • TCL 65-inch Class S4 4K TV —

  • Samsung 85-inch CU7000 4K TV —

  • Sony 65-inch Bravia XR A75L OLED 4K TV —

Best Buy Apple deals

Apple Airpods Max.
Apple

Apple is one of the most popular brands on the planet, and its huge lineup of products can be difficult to find deals on. That’s not the case at Best Buy right, as the retailer has savings on MacBooks, iPhones, and accessories to be found.

  • Apple iPhone Pro 15 silicone case with MagSafe —

  • Apple iPhone 14 leather case with MagSafe —

  • Apple AirPods Max —

  • Apple iPhone 12 64GB –

  • Apple MacBook Air M2 13 —

Best Buy tablet deals

Microsoft Surface Pro 9 front view showing tablet and videoconferencing.
Microsoft

A tablet is a good way to take your computing mobile and to do lots of creative work. It’s also a great way to save at Best Buy right now. You can land some serious savings on tablets like the Microsoft Surface Pro 7+, which is a couple of generations old now but still holds up with tasks you may need to tackle today. There is also some huge savings to take advantage of if you prefer Samsung’s lineup of tablets.

  • Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite —

  • Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 —

  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite —

  • Microsoft Surface Pro 7+ —

  • Microsoft Surface Pro 9 —

Best Buy phone deals

Moo on the Motorola Razr Plus's cover screen.
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Getting a new phone might seem expensive, but Best Buy has a lot of discounts on phones to choose from. Motorola, OnePlus, and even some refurbished iPhones that come backed by Geek Squad are seeing some major price drops right now.

  • Motorola Moto G 128GB —

  • Apple iPhone SE (2020) 64GB (pre-owned) —

  • Motorola Moto G Power 256GB —

  • OnePlus Nord N30 128GB —

  • Apple iPhone XR 64GB (pre-owned) —

  • Motorola Razr 128GB —

  • Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max 128GB (pre-owned) —

Best Buy laptop deals

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 rear view showing lid and logo.
Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

A new laptop makes a great gift idea for student going into second semester after the holidays, but it also makes a great gift for oneself any time of the year. Right now is as good a time to shop laptops at Best Buy, as popular models are seeing discounts across the board.

  • HP 14-inch laptop —

  • Lenovo Slim 3 Chromebook —

  • Lenovo IdeaPad 3i —

  • Dell Inspiron 16-inch 2-in-1 laptop —

  • Apple MacBook Air M2 13 —

  • Asus TUF 15.6-inch gaming laptop —

Best Buy soundbar deals

The Samsung Q910C soundbar underneath a huge TV.
Samsung

If you’re looking to expand or upgrade your home theater you can certainly do so with some savings at Best Buy. Audio upgrades are seeing some major discounts, with soundbars by LG, Samsung, Bose, and JBL seeing some of their lowest prices of the year.

  • Samsung 2.1 channel soundbar —

  • JBL Cinema 2.1 channel soundbar with wireless subwoofer —

  • Bose TV speaker soundbar —

  • Samsung 3.1 channel soundbar —

  • LG 5.1.2 channel soundbar with wireless subwoofer —

  • Samsung Q-Series 5.1.2 channel soundbar —

Best Buy headphone deals

Woman wearing Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones.
Sony / Sony

Headphones are a nice way to create a little listening privacy for yourself, or to more deeply immerse yourself in a movie or TV show. Beats, Bose, Sennheiser, and Apple are some of the best headphone brnds on the market, and they all have models discounted at Best Buy right now.

  • Sony WHCH720N wireless headphones —

  • Beats Solo 3 wireless headphones —

  • Sennheiser Momentum 4 wireless headphones —

  • Bose QuietComfort 45 wireless headphones —

  • Beats Studio Pro wireless headphones —

  • Bose QuietComfort Ultra wireless headphones —

  • Apple AirPods Max —

Best Buy smart home deals

The Amazon Echo Show (3rd Gen) on a table.
Amazon

If you’re looking for some great devices that can contribute to your smart home setup, you need look no further than Best Buy. Same great savings are available on devices like smart displays, smart speakers, and security camera systems, as well as more practical items like routers.

  • Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) smart speaker —

  • Amazon Echo Show 8 HD smart display —

  • TP-Link Archer AX20 dual-band WiFi 6 router —

  • Google Nest WiFi Video Doorbell —

  • Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight camera security bundle —

Best Buy small appliance deals

A person removes fries from the basket of the Bella Pro Series 4.2-quart air fryer.
Bella

Another great way to land some savings at Best Buy is if you’re in the mood for food. From mixers to air fryers, there are a lot of kitchen appliances currently seeing discounts. These also include small appliances for other rooms. Dyson vacuums are seeing some great deals at Best Buy right now, as are robot vacuums.

  • Bella Pro Series 6-quart digital air fryer —

  • Bella Pro Series 8-quart digital air fryer —

  • iRobot Roomba 694 —

  • KitchenAid 5.5-quart stand mixer —

  • Dyson V8 cordless stick vacuum —

More Unmissable Deals






Best Buy Deals: Save on Laptops, TVs, Appliances, and More | Digital Trends

tech FranklinWilbur

Best Buy Deals: Save on Laptops, TVs, Appliances, and More | Digital Trends

One of the best places to shop for almost anything involving electronics says so right in its name: Best Buy. The retail giant has a ton of departments with some of today’s most popular devices, components, and appliances for sale. It also offers a lot of these at a discount, which is certainly what we’re seeing right now. Some of the best TV deals, best tablet deals, best laptop deals, and best phone deals can currently be found at Best Buy, and those are just the tip of the iceberg. We’ve tracked down all of the best deals you can shop at Best Buy right now, so read onward for some gift ideas for yourself or a loved one and for some great ways to save.

Best Buy TV deals

Samsung

There may be no better place to purchase one of the best TVs than Best Buy. There is almost always some huge savings to find on TVs at Best Buy, and that’s certainly the case right now. You’ll find deals top TV brands like Sony, Samsung, and LG, and more budget-friendly brands like TCL and Hisense are in play, too.

  • Insignia 32-inch N10 Series HD TV —

  • Roku 24-inch Select Series HD TV —

  • Vizio 24-inch D-Series HD TV —

  • Samsung 50-inch TU690T 4K TV —

  • LG 65-inch UQ70 Series 4K TV —

  • TCL 65-inch Class S4 4K TV —

  • Samsung 85-inch CU7000 4K TV —

  • Sony 65-inch Bravia XR A75L OLED 4K TV —

Best Buy Apple deals

Apple Airpods Max.
Apple

Apple is one of the most popular brands on the planet, and its huge lineup of products can be difficult to find deals on. That’s not the case at Best Buy right, as the retailer has savings on MacBooks, iPhones, and accessories to be found.

  • Apple iPhone Pro 15 silicone case with MagSafe —

  • Apple iPhone 14 leather case with MagSafe —

  • Apple AirPods Max —

  • Apple iPhone 12 64GB –

  • Apple MacBook Air M2 13 —

Best Buy tablet deals

Microsoft Surface Pro 9 front view showing tablet and videoconferencing.
Microsoft

A tablet is a good way to take your computing mobile and to do lots of creative work. It’s also a great way to save at Best Buy right now. You can land some serious savings on tablets like the Microsoft Surface Pro 7+, which is a couple of generations old now but still holds up with tasks you may need to tackle today. There is also some huge savings to take advantage of if you prefer Samsung’s lineup of tablets.

  • Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite —

  • Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 —

  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite —

  • Microsoft Surface Pro 7+ —

  • Microsoft Surface Pro 9 —

Best Buy phone deals

Moo on the Motorola Razr Plus's cover screen.
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Getting a new phone might seem expensive, but Best Buy has a lot of discounts on phones to choose from. Motorola, OnePlus, and even some refurbished iPhones that come backed by Geek Squad are seeing some major price drops right now.

  • Motorola Moto G 128GB —

  • Apple iPhone SE (2020) 64GB (pre-owned) —

  • Motorola Moto G Power 256GB —

  • OnePlus Nord N30 128GB —

  • Apple iPhone XR 64GB (pre-owned) —

  • Motorola Razr 128GB —

  • Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max 128GB (pre-owned) —

Best Buy laptop deals

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 rear view showing lid and logo.
Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

A new laptop makes a great gift idea for student going into second semester after the holidays, but it also makes a great gift for oneself any time of the year. Right now is as good a time to shop laptops at Best Buy, as popular models are seeing discounts across the board.

  • HP 14-inch laptop —

  • Lenovo Slim 3 Chromebook —

  • Lenovo IdeaPad 3i —

  • Dell Inspiron 16-inch 2-in-1 laptop —

  • Apple MacBook Air M2 13 —

  • Asus TUF 15.6-inch gaming laptop —

Best Buy soundbar deals

The Samsung Q910C soundbar underneath a huge TV.
Samsung

If you’re looking to expand or upgrade your home theater you can certainly do so with some savings at Best Buy. Audio upgrades are seeing some major discounts, with soundbars by LG, Samsung, Bose, and JBL seeing some of their lowest prices of the year.

  • Samsung 2.1 channel soundbar —

  • JBL Cinema 2.1 channel soundbar with wireless subwoofer —

  • Bose TV speaker soundbar —

  • Samsung 3.1 channel soundbar —

  • LG 5.1.2 channel soundbar with wireless subwoofer —

  • Samsung Q-Series 5.1.2 channel soundbar —

Best Buy headphone deals

Woman wearing Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones.
Sony / Sony

Headphones are a nice way to create a little listening privacy for yourself, or to more deeply immerse yourself in a movie or TV show. Beats, Bose, Sennheiser, and Apple are some of the best headphone brnds on the market, and they all have models discounted at Best Buy right now.

  • Sony WHCH720N wireless headphones —

  • Beats Solo 3 wireless headphones —

  • Sennheiser Momentum 4 wireless headphones —

  • Bose QuietComfort 45 wireless headphones —

  • Beats Studio Pro wireless headphones —

  • Bose QuietComfort Ultra wireless headphones —

  • Apple AirPods Max —

Best Buy smart home deals

The Amazon Echo Show (3rd Gen) on a table.
Amazon

If you’re looking for some great devices that can contribute to your smart home setup, you need look no further than Best Buy. Same great savings are available on devices like smart displays, smart speakers, and security camera systems, as well as more practical items like routers.

  • Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) smart speaker —

  • Amazon Echo Show 8 HD smart display —

  • TP-Link Archer AX20 dual-band WiFi 6 router —

  • Google Nest WiFi Video Doorbell —

  • Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight camera security bundle —

Best Buy small appliance deals

A person removes fries from the basket of the Bella Pro Series 4.2-quart air fryer.
Bella

Another great way to land some savings at Best Buy is if you’re in the mood for food. From mixers to air fryers, there are a lot of kitchen appliances currently seeing discounts. These also include small appliances for other rooms. Dyson vacuums are seeing some great deals at Best Buy right now, as are robot vacuums.

  • Bella Pro Series 6-quart digital air fryer —

  • Bella Pro Series 8-quart digital air fryer —

  • iRobot Roomba 694 —

  • KitchenAid 5.5-quart stand mixer —

  • Dyson V8 cordless stick vacuum —

More Unmissable Deals






I’m finally ready to stop recommending the M1 MacBook Air | Digital Trends

tech FranklinWilbur

I’m finally ready to stop recommending the M1 MacBook Air | Digital Trends

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Apple’s MacBook lineup is a bit all over the place at the moment. It’s full of fantastic machines that trounce the competition, yet picking the right Mac for you has never been more confusing. But amid all the uncertainty, one thing is for sure: I can finally stop recommending the M1 MacBook Air.

For years now, the M1 MacBook Air has been a great choice for anyone looking to dip their toes into the world of Apple laptops. But three years after its launch, it’s no longer looking like the solid purchase it used to be.

A strong debut

The M1-powered Macbook Air, open on a table.
M1 MacBook Air Mark Coppock/Digital Trends / Digital Trends

The M1 MacBook Air launched in late 2020, debuting Apple Silicon to the world. The chassis of the laptop itself wasn’t new, leaving the chip inside to take the spotlight. The stellar performance and battery life made it a great choice at the time, especially with it being such a huge upgrade over the old Intel-powered MacBooks. It was so good, in fact, that I continued recommending it to people long after its supposed successor, the M2 MacBook Air, came out.


Save on everything from laptops and tablets, to coffee makers and air purifiers, and smart home essentials like the Amazon Echo.

So, why was I recommending the M1 MacBook Air for so long when the M2 version was out and on store shelves? Well, it comes down to a few things. Firstly, the difference between the M1 chip and its M2 successor was not huge. While some had predicted huge gains with the M2, in the end it was not a next-generation upgrade in performance. The M1 was still more than enough for most people who didn’t need to do anything demanding — and for the demographic the MacBook Air is for, the bump in performance just isn’t so important.

But extra performance is extra performance, even if it’s a small margin, right? Well, the wrinkle is that Apple kept both versions around, but charged an extra $200 for the M2 model. With such a small advantage over the M1, it wasn’t really worth the extra price.

The MacBook Air on a table in front of a window.
Digital Trends

Throw in an issue where SSD speeds got throttled on the entry-level M2 MacBook Air (but not on the M1 version) and the M2 edition was tough to recommend.

The fact that we continued to recommend this three-year old laptop is unheard of in the world of tech. It’s impressive. But again, it’s 2023 and there are reasons to finally move on.

Things have changed

The gold MacBook Air M1's logo and keyboard.
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Pricing was one of the biggest problems with the M2 MacBook Air when it launched. Because Apple was intent on keeping the M1 MacBook Air in the lineup, it priced the M2 model at $1,199 — a $200 premium over the original. Since then, Apple has officially reduced the price to $1,099, leaving only a $100 gap between models. When you consider not only the extra performance that the M2 provides, but also the thinner bezels, better speakers, better webcam, slimmer chassis, updated wireless connectivity, and the MagSafe 3 port — there’s certainly more than enough to justify spending $100 more.

Beyond that, we’re starting to see the M2 MacBook Air dip much lower in price at third-party retailers. During the Black Friday and Cyber Monday MacBook sales, we saw the M2 MacBook Air dip to as low as $949 — less than Apple charges for a brand-new M1 MacBook Air. For under $1,000, the M2 MacBook Air is a fantastic value.

Of course, the M1 MacBook Air has been dropping lower in price too. It’s still a laptop that could work well enough for a student or just someone who needs a basic laptop. But it’s now at the point where I wouldn’t recommend buying it unless you can find it on deep discount. The best M1 MacBook Air deal we found during the Black Friday sales was for $750. It still compares very favorably against Windows laptops at that price, but at the full price of $999, it’s starting to look and feel outdated.

What about the M3?

What about if you want to wait for the M3 MacBook Air? Well, that’s definitely a viable course of action. Apple often hosts a spring show around March or April, and rumors have pointed to this event as being where the M3 MacBook Air will make its debut.

But we’re not expecting a major change to the design of the MacBook Air. If you’re in the market for a MacBook Air, performance isn’t likely to be your number one priority. There’s the MacBook Pro for that, after all. Instead, chances are you want a light, portable laptop with oodles of battery life. The M2 MacBook Air can offer that without requiring you to wait for a few more months.

Either way, the M1 MacBook Air is figuring less and less in the calculation. If you’re after a MacBook Air, there’s no need to pick it over any other option unless you have very specific needs and requirements. The M2 MacBook Air has finally become the go-to option as an entry point for MacBook buyers, and will do you proud.

Editors’ Recommendations






Android Phones Will Soon Get Apple’s MagSafe-Style Wireless Charging

tech FranklinWilbur

Android Phones Will Soon Get Apple’s MagSafe-Style Wireless Charging

The next generation upgrade for the global wireless charging standard, Qi, was announced at CES 2023 in January. The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) took the covers off Qi2, which is based on Apple’s MagSafe technology, at the event. Qi2 certified phones and chargers are expected to arrive in the holiday season of 2023. Recently, the WPC announced that Qi2 is almost at the finish line as the first mobile devices with the new wireless charging standard were set to complete certification testing. This means, we could soon see MagSafe wireless charging technology on Android phones.

Qi2, like MagSafe, will feature magnetic attachment with phones, faster charging, higher efficiency and greater convenience, according to WPS. The first Qi2 certified products are set to come to market in the holiday season, starting with Apple’s iPhone 15 lineup. Android phones are expected to follow suit, adopting the Qi2 profile. According to WPS, Belkin, Mophie, Anker, and Aircharge have already announced Qi2 charging products and over 100 devices are currently in testing or in the certification testing queue.

According to the WPC, the Qi2 standard comprises two profiles, the Magnetic Power Profile (MPP) which is based on MagSafe technology contributed by Apple to the consortium and branded with the Qi2 logo, and the Extended Power Profile (EPP), which is an improvement to the existing wireless charging, that does not include magnets but complies with the Qi2 standard. New Qi2 EPP products will be branded with the existing Qi logo, WPS said in its press release earlier this month.

With Android phones adopting the new Qi2 standard, we could soon see the MagSafe-based MPP profile on upcoming Android phones. New wireless chargers would be able to magnetically attach to compatible Android devices, just like a MagSafe charger attaches to an iPhone. Additionally, with magnetic attachment coming to Android phones, a bunch of magnet-based phone accessories, which are currently available for iPhone models, could also arrive for Android devices. These include MagSafe-compatible cases, magnetic wallets, battery packs and more.

“These certified Qi2 chargers provide smoother, faster charging that is more energy efficient, and offers wide interoperability,” Paul Struhsaker, executive director for the WPC, had said in the release. “Plus, Qi2’s magnetic attachment also means consumers will no longer have to fuss in trying to adjust the positioning of their devices to ensure perfect alignment between phone and charger.”

Recently, the Google Pixel 9 lineup was also tipped to launch with the Qi2 wireless charging standard. A Google senior hardware engineer Liyu Yang, who has been working on wireless charging systems on Pixel handsets since 2017, recently joined WPC as a board member. According to WPC, Yang is currently in charge of the research and development of next-generation wireless charging technology on upcoming Pixel products, thus suggesting Pixel 9 series may come with Qi2 wireless charging support.

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MacBook Pro 16 vs. MacBook Pro 14: the important differences | Digital Trends

tech FranklinWilbur

MacBook Pro 16 vs. MacBook Pro 14: the important differences | Digital Trends

MacBooks are among the best laptops you can buy, but there are some critical differences between Apple’s two MacBook Pro models.

The 14-inch MacBook Pro is a relatively new arrival on the market, with a bigger screen size than the now-discontinued 13-inch model. The 16-inch model was a refresh of the existing MacBook Pro, but there were enough changes to call it a new laptop entirely. Both of them are worthy of being listed among the best MacBooks out there, and our review of the new M3 Max MacBook Pro 14 just confirms how great the laptops really are. The question is, which model is right for you?

Design

Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you’ve taken a close look at the previous iterations of MacBooks, examining the new ones will reveal a few small changes. However, comparing the 14-inch to the 16-inch doesn’t uncover any massive design difference apart from the size of the notebooks.

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Both Macs feature Apple’s new flat-edge design. A few years ago, the brand slowly started to revert its products to the design it used before, and the new MacBook Pros continue that trend. This means drifting away from the curved edges we’ve all grown used to.

However, the change is pretty minimal in the new MacBooks, as the edges don’t appear sharp. The main difference is that the top half of the notebook now matches the bottom half. You could easily compare this design choice to what Apple has done with the iPhone or the iPad Pro ranges.

In terms of cooling, both Macs utilize the same heat pipe design previously used in the MacBook Pro 16. The size of the heat sink has been increased by 35% to accommodate the powerful and heat-prone components found inside. For the 16-inch Mac, this is simply the retention of a previously used technology. For the smaller 14-inch model, this is a huge upgrade.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

One thing Apple has said goodbye to with the new MacBooks is the Touch Bar. It was somewhat controversial and often left unused, so replacing it with a set of physical function keys may have been the right step for Apple.

Both laptops feature the Magic Keyboard, and whether you go with the 14-inch or the 16-inch model, the keyboard remains the same excellent version. They also benefit from an upgraded webcam, bringing much-needed 1080p quality to replace the 720p used in previous versions.  The downside of the webcam? The notch at the top of the screen — although the apps do fold neatly around it, so it doesn’t obstruct the screen. Both laptops use Apple’s outstanding Force Touch haptic touchpad, and both use all the available space on the palm rest.

Display

While the two new Macs don’t vary much in terms of design from previous generations, they certainly do when it comes to their displays. Apple entered a new era with the release of these notebooks, upgrading their screens to utilize mini-LED technology. This applies to both models.

The use of mini-LED makes the Liquid Retina XDR displays of these new Macs brighter than ever. Around 10,000 LEDs, each smaller than 200 microns, are found within the thin, light, and colorful screens of the 14-inch and the 16-inch MacBook Pros.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Switching to mini-LEDs was a smart move by Apple. What we get here is a wider color gamut with rich, satisfyingly, vibrant shades, better contrast, and deeper blacks. These screens are essentially very close to OLEDs, but they shouldn’t suffer from the same degradation and burn-in problems that OLEDs sometimes do. They’re also incredibly bright, up to 1,600 nits when displaying high dynamic range (HDR) video. That makes them probably the best laptops around for consuming HDR content.

Both the screens are beautiful, but they’re not the same size. The new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros sport display resolutions of 3024 x 1964 and 3456 x 2234, respectively. This is an increase over the previous models. The aspect ratios are as unusual as the resolutions are, resulting in the 16-inch Mac having a 1.55:1 aspect ratio and the 14-inch having a 1.54:1.

Unusual as the sizing may be, it’s quite refreshing to see a taller screen on a laptop, and these Retina displays pack a lot of pixels to make them seem even bigger. The pixel density has been increased to 254 pixels per inch, sharpening the image and adding clarity.

As far as refresh rates go, there are no differences between the new MacBook Pros. ProMotion technology is in use here, meaning that the refresh rate is adapted to what you are currently doing. At the lowest level, you can expect a refresh rate of 24Hz, but it can go all the way up to a respectable 120Hz when necessary. This design choice will help preserve battery life while still allowing for smooth performance during gameplay and creative workflows.

Performance

Screenshot showing Apple Silicon M3 processor range.
Apple

It hasn’t been long since Apple introduced the M1 chip, switching from Intel-based systems to its own Apple silicon. To call that decision a hit would be an understatement, and things only get better from there with the introduction of the M3. The MacBook Pro 14 can now utilize the base M3, part of the move to discontinue the 13-inch MacBook Pro that used the base M1 and M2 processors. Both sizes can utilize the M3 Pro or the M3 Max chip, and they represent significant upgrades from their predecessors.

The new M3 Pro and M3 Max chips come with more cores and faster speeds. Apple’s engineers have outdone themselves with these chips, somehow combining fantastic performance with even better power consumption and good thermals. They’re fast, reliable, and great for productivity, creativity, and most other things you might want to throw their way.

Although MacBooks have never been particularly known for their gaming capabilities, these two new notebooks are even faster in a lot of titles, provided you’re not a hardcore gamer in need of a monster gaming PC — but then, not many users turn to Apple for gaming purposes anyway.

The M3 Pro and M3 Max versions available to the 14-inch and 16-inch models vary slightly. The 14-inch MacBook Pro starts at an 11-core CPU/14-core GPU M3 Pro, while the 16-inch model starts at the 12-core CPU/18-core GPU M3 Pro. At the high end, both models max out at the 16-core CPU/40-core GPU M3 Max.

That means that the 16-inch model is likely to be slightly faster than the 14-inch machine thanks to better thermals, but not by much. And by offering the base M3 processor in the 14-inch MacBook Pro, Apple was able to lower the price of entry.

Another change is that the 14-inch MacBook Pro can now access the same high-power mode as the 16-inch model when configured with the M3 Max. If you’re plugged in and don’t mind some extra heat and fan noise, this power mode offers a meaningful uptick in performance.

Screenshot showing Apple M3 performance increases.
Apple

Not everything is perfect with the new processors, however. The M3 Pro has switched up the core counts, with the 12-core M3 Pro having just six performance cores and six efficiency cores compared to the M2 Pro’s eight performance cores and four efficiency cores. And memory bandwidth has been reduced from 200 GB/s to 150 GB/s. We haven’t benchmarked the M3 Pro yet, but it remains to be seen if the base M3 Pro is all that much faster than the base M2 Pro.

Nevertheless, alongside the beastly processor and integrated graphics, we’re getting an upgrade in RAM. Both notebooks support up to 128GB of memory with the M3 Max, up to 36GB with the M3 Pro, and up to 24GB with the M3. One change is that the base M3 14-inch MacBook Pro comes with just 8GB of RAM rather than the 18GB starting point with the M3 Pro and M3 Max. There has been a bit of controversy around the introduction of an 8Gb base version of the MacBook Pro 14, with Apple claiming that 8GB is as fast as 16GB on other platforms.

That may not be true, though, and some testing has shown that 8GB might represent a bottleneck. That’s been even more controversial given that it costs $200 to upgrade the base M3 14-inch MacBook Pro to 16GB. On the other hand, the 18GB that comes with the M3 Pro and M3 Max should be sufficient for less demanding users who don’t want to splurge.

In terms of storage, the standard is 512GB for both the 14-inch and the 16-inch models. It can be upgraded if you find yourself in need of extra space for all your files. Note that the new base storage doesn’t use single-NAND memory compared to the larger SSDs that use double-NAND memory as seen in the M2 models, so there’s no performance compromise from going with the base storage.

Portability

The new MacBook Pro 14 is similar in size to the MacBook 13 that it is replacing. Measuring 15.5 mm and weighing 3.5 pounds, the notebook is thin and portable. The increase in the display size stems from the fact that Apple slimmed down the bezels and got rid of the MacBook Pro label at the bottom.

Unsurprisingly, the 16-inch Mac is larger. Measuring 16.88 mm and weighing 4.7 pounds, it’s slightly more of a burden to carry around, but the larger size is made up for by the bigger display. It’s hard to pick a winner here — only you know whether you care more about better portability or a larger screen.

For most people, the difference in sizing will not be a deal breaker one way or the other. Both notebooks are relatively easy enough to carry. According to Apple, the 14-inch MacBook Pro has worse battery life, 18 hours compared to 22 hours with the 16-inch model. That, more than the size, might affect the final decision. More on that below.

Ports

Many MacBook users have been longing for the return of the ports. At some point in 2016, Apple decided to rid its notebooks of all ports aside from USB-C. Fortunately, 2021 was when things are finally starting to return to normal, and the new notebooks sport a highly anticipated list of ports.

We got the return of MagSafe, a technology that was on the brink of being forgotten but was always very missed. MagSafe magnetically attaches the charging cable to your Mac. Should you happen to pull on the cord, the tech will detach itself as opposed to pulling your notebook toward an early demise. As an added bonus, Apple gave MagSafe a face-lift and improved the charging speeds compared to previous Macs.

Connectivity on the new 2021 Macbook Pro. SD reader, USB-C port, HDMI port.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The laptops both feature an HDMI port, several Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a full-size SD card reader, which is something we haven’t seen in a MacBook for years. Note that the base M3 14-inch MacBook Pro has just two Thunderbolt 4 ports compared to three on the other models. The ports are evenly spread across the notebook, with one or two Thunderbolts and a MagSafe on the left side, and an HDMI port, another Thunderbolt port, and the SD card reader on the right.

Note that the base M3 14-inch MacBook Pro supports just one external display, while the M3 Pro supports up to two external displays and the M3 Max supports up to four external displays. Anyone looking for the ultimate multimonitor setup should keep this in mind. Also, both laptops have been updated to Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, so both benefit from faster wireless connectivity.

This is a definite upgrade over the previous MacBooks. There is no winner in this category, and if we had to pick one, we’d say that both the 14-inch and 16-inch Macs are winners. They feature the same set of ports, bringing some much-needed relief to Apple fans who often needed to buy extra dongles to make the most out of their notebook.

Battery life

Each of the new MacBook Pros has a different battery, but both present improvements over the previous generation.

The MacBook Pro 16-inch has a battery rated at 100 watts. Combined with the use of Apple silicon in this laptop, which has already tremendously increased battery life compared to older, Intel-based systems, we’re in for a treat.

Lifestyle image of someone using the new Macbook Pro 2021.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Compared to the previous MacBook Pro 16, the battery in this model is slightly smaller, but that has no negative impact on the battery life. Users can expect at least 22 hours during light computing.

The smaller, 14-inch MacBook Pro also features an upgrade in the battery over its 13-inch predecessor. The chassis allows for the use of a larger battery, and Apple made the most of it by installing one that’s rated at 70 watts.

When it comes to battery life on the 14-inch Mac, we can expect it to be shorter than what the 16-inch has to offer. It’s no wonder, considering that this notebook is smaller and just doesn’t have the space for a battery as large as the 16-inch. The 14-inch MacBook Pro should be able to last through around 18 hours of video playback before it’s time to plug it back in.

Laptop users know full well that you don’t always get the most out of your notebook when not connected to a source of power. Apple is out to dispel that notion with the addition of High-Power Mode. This is an optional setting, present in both laptops, that lets users boost the notebook’s performance even when it’s not connected.

On the other end of the scale, there’s the Low-Power Mode, which still lets you preserve some battery life by turning off unnecessary processes.

Pricing

Not many people turn to Apple products for the price — the brand remains aware of this by pricing both notebooks higher than many competitors. While both offer excellent quality, they’re not exactly cheap. Despite that, it’s hard to deny that by using the new chips, Apple managed to make these notebooks a great value for the money.

The 14-inch MacBook Pro is slightly more expensive than the 13-inch version that it replaced. It’s difficult to complain about this, as this notebook does offer a larger display while remaining virtually the same in size. The performance that it provides is also worth the higher price tag.

If you want to get your hands on the latest MacBook Pro 14, be prepared to spend at least $1,599 for the base M3 configuration, which is the only one that offers an M3 with just eight CPU cores.

The 16-inch MacBook Pro is priced higher than the previous version. To benefit from the various improvements that it provides, customers have to spend at least $2,499.

Both the laptops can be upgraded by adding more RAM and storage, so this could drive up the price a little bit further.

The 16-inch MacBook Pro is the winner here

Photographer using the new Macbook Pro.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

We recommend the 16-inch MacBook Pro, but not by a huge margin.

This time around, more than ever, it’s difficult to pinpoint one true winner between these two MacBook Pros. This is because, in a lot of aspects, they are virtually the same.

Except for the base M3 14-inch model, both of them run on (mostly) the same chips and have stunning displays, as well as the same number of ports, the same amount of storage, and the same general design.

While both are very close, the 16-inch MacBook Pro does offer theoretically much better performance and a larger 16-inch display. In addition, it also has a longer battery life and improved airflow.

Editors’ Recommendations






First Qi2 Wireless Chargers Coming Soon

tech FranklinWilbur

First Qi2 Wireless Chargers Coming Soon

The first wireless chargers that support the new Qi2 charging standard are set to launch in time for the holiday season, according to an announcement shared today by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC).


Announced earlier this year, Qi2 is a next-generation Qi charging technology that incorporates a Magnetic Power Profile. Qi2 devices will work like Apple’s MagSafe feature, using magnets for alignment and speedier charging.

The iPhone 15 models are the first of Apple’s smartphones that support the Qi2 standard. More than 100 Qi2 device are in testing, according to the WPC, including chargers from companies like Belkin, Mophie, Anker, and Aircharge.

The Magnetic Power Profile was designed based on ‌MagSafe‌ contributions from Apple, and it is being combined with the new Extended Power Profile (EPP) to form what is considered “Qi2.”

Qi2 is meant to ensure that phones and other battery-powered mobile products are perfectly aligned with chargers for improved energy efficiency and faster charging. It will allow for new accessories that would not be chargeable wirelessly using existing flat surface-to-flat surface devices.

Qi2 chargers that have already been announced promise to charge devices at up to 15W, but it is not yet clear if Apple’s ‌iPhone 15‌ models will support faster wireless charging with Qi2 accessories. Apple’s technical specifications page for the ‌iPhone 15‌ says that the devices support Qi wireless charging “up to 7.5W,” with no mention of faster charging.

MagSafe-enabled ‌iPhone 15‌ models charge at 7.5W on the current Qi standard, and 15W when using Apple’s ‌MagSafe‌ chargers.

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14-Inch Apple MacBook Pro with M3 Review: The M3 era is here.

tech FranklinWilbur

14-Inch Apple MacBook Pro with M3 Review: The M3 era is here.

Apple released 14 and 16-inch variants of the MacBook Pros touting its newly-released M3 chips. It doesn’t bring a lot of new upgrades and doesn’t make much sense if you’re on an M2-series chip already. However, if you’re one of those Intel or M1 MacBook Pro holdouts, now might be the time for a change.

Probably one of the most exciting things about this release (at least for me) is the new Space Black color variant. After years of getting just Space Grey and Silver, we really needed this. Sadly, that’s only for the 14-inch version with the Pro and Max chips, so I didn’t get to experience that, and my heart is broken.

The configuration I was sent hosted the M3 chip, along with 16GB of memory and 1TB of storage (in gray) for $1,999, which feels like the sweet spot since the $1,599 model with 8GB and a 512GB SSD seems a little underpowered especially if you plan on taking advantage of the M3 chips gaming performance. 

Buy Now or Wait? How to Avoid Tech Buyer’s Remorse

M3 MacBook Pro Build and Ports

You get a cooler build if you opt for the Pro or Max chips

Another thing I missed out on because of being sent the machine with the M3 chip was an additional Thunderbolt port. I only have two Thunderbolt ports, as opposed to the 14-inch models with M3 Pro and M3 Max, both of which host three Thunderbolt ports. My machine also features a 3.5mm headphone jack, a MagSafe 3 port, an HDMI port, and an SDXC card slot.

Like the 2021 M1 MacBook Pro and the 2023 M2 model, Apple has decided not to include a USB-A port, which is a serious omission when you insist that your machine is ideal as a gaming rig. Sure, you can connect a USB-C hub to get your other peripherals to connect, but that’s extra effort.

Image: Angel Fajardo / Gizmodo

I get the idea behind giving M3 users one less Thunderbolt port than M3 Pro and M3 Max folks. It didn’t give me any FOMO either; the two available ports met all my USB-4 needs.

Looking at how modern laptops have started featuring very few ports (especially omitting the HDMI out) to keep their form factor as slim as possible, I was pretty content with the generosity of the M3 MacBook Pro’s port layout.

M3 MacBook Pro Design

There’s nothing new here since the M2 release.

You get the same Liquid Retina XDR display that you did on this laptop’s older models. It hits a 120Hz refresh rate and 1000 nits in brightness. Some consumers (like me) have been patiently waiting for Apple to do OLED displays, but here we are. If you’re content with the Retina display, you will enjoy your content as much as you always have. But that gives you one less reason to upgrade to this series.

Similarly, expect the same keyboard as the ones that you have been getting for a few years, including the full-sized Function keys and the touch ID button. The keyboard doesn’t bring any new surprises, so you can look forward to the good ol’ nice and clicky MacBook typing experience that we’re all fans of. The touchpad is as responsive and smooth as before, with flawless multi-touch handling capability that never stutters.

Image for article titled 14-Inch Apple MacBook Pro with M3 Review: The Start of the M3 Era Has Begun

Image: Angel Fajardo / Gizmodo

M3 MacBook Pro Performance

As smooth as ever.

The 14-inch variant with the M3 chip features an 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. That’s intended to (and is enough for) handle your everyday computing needs. I spent last week with this machine and used it for everything during those days. I think it’s redundant to say that my workflow was as smooth as ever because what else does one expect from a MacBook Pro?

But again, I’d have pretty much the same experience even if I was on the M2 or even the M1 version. When Apple tempts us with performance upgrades, it fails to consider that those stats might not translate to an actual significant upgrade in terms of user experience for the average consumer. If you’re not gaming or doing creative work, the M3 MacBook Pro is an excellent day-to-day laptop.

As far as benchmarks, we see fairly modest gains, with the M3 MacBook Pro scoring a 3129 single-core Geekbench CPU score compared to 1965 on the M2 Pro MacBook Pro. Similarly, this MacBook’s 3311 Cinebench GPU score compared to 1260 on the M1 is a considerable bump, especially if you plan on doing some light video or photo editing.

If you’re into gaming, the M3 Macbook Pro does offer modest gaming performance, with games like Lies of P and Resident Evil Village running reasonably smoothly in medium settings. As lovely as that is, you’re limited in what kind of games you can play since a lot of AAA gaming titles aren’t available on the Mac.

M3 MacBook Pro Battery, Speakers and Camera

The speakers and battery are considerably better, and the camera is the same as before.

The M3 MacBook Pro features the same six-speaker sound system that its M2 predecessor did. You get two tweeters for a clear soundstage and four force-canceling woofers. And if you’re consuming content that supports Dolby Atmos, you’ll also be able to enjoy spatial audio. I YouTubed for hours on this machine, watching everything from vlogs, sports, TED talks, and songs.

I was left quite impressed with the punchy bass and wide soundstage. I wasn’t expecting that oomph in the bass that I would typically expect from a dedicated speaker. Whether it was a song or narration, everything had depth to it. Dialogue on the M2 MacBook Pro sounded a bit ‘tinny,’ but Apple took that complaint to heart. Even the dialogue on this machine had layers and featured excellent sound imaging.

You get the same 1080p camera as you did in the M2 and M1 versions, and it’s pretty good. The colors are rich, sufficiently saturated, and vibrant. The results aren’t as washed out as they usually are on laptop webcams. The lens is precise enough to capture the texture of your skin exactly.

Image for article titled 14-Inch Apple MacBook Pro with M3 Review: The Start of the M3 Era Has Begun

Image: Angel Fajardo / Gizmodo

Also, despite much backlash on multiple online forums, Apple decided to keep the notch that it introduced in 2021 on the 2023 M3 MacBook Pro. Consumers have long been complaining about how it takes away from the sleek design or how the laptop looks like an enlarged iPhone. It isn’t a deal breaker anyway, and if you’re bothered by it, having dark wallpaper helps.

Macs being incredible in terms of battery life is nothing new. We all know that Windows laptops don’t even come close. The company promised a whopping 22 hours on the machine and didn’t exaggerate. I noticed an approximate 10% drop every two hours throughout my usage. The drop would slightly differ based on the kind of activity I was engaged in. That amounts to just around 20+ hours of use. This is a pretty good upgrade, considering the M2 Pro MacBook Pro lasted 16 hours and 40 minutes.

Should You Buy the M3 MacBook Pro?

Make the move if you’re on an M1 or Intel series chip.

Apple’s promises of the M3 series being 20-30% faster than the M2 and 50% faster than the M1. If you are dealing with heavy workloads (in which case, you should probably be looking at the 16-inch variant with the Max chip instead), this bump in performance will not be life-changing for you. Unless you’re upgrading from an older Intel-powered MacBook Pro or if you’re M1 MacbookPro is starting to show its age.

Most features are exactly the same as the M2 MacBooks that were released earlier in the year. Sure, the battery lasts a couple of hours longer, and the benchmark results are slightly better, but nothing is worth a whole upgrade, especially if you’re coming from the M2-powered MacBook Pro.

Apple’s USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable Now Available to Order in Space Black

tech FranklinWilbur

Apple’s USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable Now Available to Order in Space Black

The new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models announced today are available in a new Space Black finish when configured with M3 Pro or M3 Max chips. Accordingly, Apple has released its USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable in Space Black for $49.


Apple already includes a color-matched MagSafe 3 charging cable in the box with the new MacBook Pro models, but the cable can be ordered individually from Apple’s online store for those who want an extra one or need a replacement. The cable also remains available in Space Gray, Midnight, Starlight, and Silver.

The cable is also compatible with 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models with the M2 chip.

MagSafe technology allows the cable to magnetically attach to a MacBook. If someone trips on the cable, it releases so that the MacBook does not go tumbling. The cable is two meters long and features a woven design for added durability.

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The best iPhone chargers in 2023: 11 best ones you can buy | Digital Trends

tech FranklinWilbur

The best iPhone chargers in 2023: 11 best ones you can buy | Digital Trends

Let’s face it, a charger is probably the most important accessory you’ll ever buy for your iPhone. After all, most of us need to charge our iPhones at least once a day — sometimes even more — so it’s important to have the right chargers around to get the job done.

Thankfully, the popularity of the iPhone means there’s no shortage of options for both wired and wireless charging — and you have even more now that the iPhone 15 has finally made the switch to USB-C.

While a USB-C power brick will give you the fastest possible charging speeds, many folks consider wireless the way to go these days. If you have enough wireless charging stands in your life, you’ll likely never need to worry too much about charging speeds, as you’ll be able to regularly dock your iPhone in places where it can grab more power — and iOS 17’s new StandBy mode is going to encourage you to do that even more often.

Still, the number of options to charge your iPhone can be pretty overwhelming, so we’ve rounded up a few of the best, along with some tips at the end for what to look for in an iPhone charger.

Spigen OneTap Pro (MagFit) Designed for MagSafe Wireless Charging Stand

Spigen Onetap Pro MagFit Wireless Charging Stand

The best iPhone charger for StandBy mode


Jump to details

ESR HaloLock Kickstand Wireless Charger

ESR HaloLock Kickstand Wireless MagSafe Charger

The best portable iPhone charging stand


Jump to details

Apple 20W USB-C Power Adapter

Apple 20W USB-C Power Adapter

The best official wired iPhone charger


Jump to details

Belkin MagSafe 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand

Belkin MagSafe 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand

The best multi-device iPhone charging station


Jump to details

USB C GaN Charger 30W, Anker 511 Charger (Nano 3), PIQ 3.0 Foldable PPS Fast Charger for iPhone 15/15 Pro/14/14 Pro Max/13, Galaxy, iPad (Cable Not Included) - Misty Blue
3-in-1 Travel Charger with MagSafe

Mophie 3-in-1 Travel Charger with MagSafe

The best travel iPhone charger


Jump to details

Anker Magnetic Desktop Charging Station(MagGo), 637 Magnetic Wireless Charger for iPhone13/12, 8-in-1 Power Strip with 3 AC,2 USB A,and 2 USB C,Max 65W Power Delivery Desktop Accessory for MacBook Pro

Anker 637 Magnetic Desktop Charging Station (MagGo)

The best desktop iPhone charging station


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ESR 15W Magnetic Wireless Car Charger Mount with CryoBoost, Compatible with MagSafe Car Charger, Made for Apple-Certified, for iPhone 15/14/13/12, Fast Charging, Phone-Cooling Charger, Cool Grey

ESR 15W Car Charger with MagSafe + CryoBoost

The best wireless iPhone car charger


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UGREEN 140W USB C Charger, Mac Book Pro Charger Foldable Nexode PD3.1 PPS 3-Port Fast GaN Laptop Wall Charger Power Adapter for MacBook Pro 16'', Dell XPS, iPhone 15 Pro, Chromebook (with 240W Cable)

Ugreen 140W Nexode USB-C GaN Charger

The best wired iPhone charger for multiple devices


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Apple MagSafe Battery Pack

Apple MagSafe Battery Pack

The best iPhone battery and charger combo


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Apple MagSafe Wireless Charger on a white background.

Apple

Apple MagSafe Charger

The best wireless iPhone charger

Pros

  • Portable and versatile
  • You an easily use your iPhone while charging
  • Compatible with a wide range of stands and accessories

Cons

  • Not ideal as a stationary desktop charger on its own
  • Power adapter not included

While Apple’s official MagSafe charger may not be the flashiest wireless charger available, it has a few things going for it that make it a great pick for anybody who doesn’t have more specific needs. Not only do you get an Apple-certified MagSafe charger that’s guaranteed to work with your iPhone, but unlike most magnetic chargers, you don’t have to stop charging when you want to pick up your iPhone to check something, since the charger is small and light enough to stay attached.

This has the downside of making it a less-than-ideal desktop charger for when you just want to grab your iPhone and go. However, its popularity means that there’s an impressive collection of accessories that are designed specifically to fit Apple’s charging disc, from flat table docks to a wide variety of stands and car mounts. This lets you create your own custom charging solutions, and you can even change things up once in a while by moving the MagSafe charger between an assortment of accessories that are much more affordable than buying multiple chargers.

Apple MagSafe Charger

Apple MagSafe Charger

The best wireless iPhone charger

Spigen OneTap Pro MagFit MagSafe Charging Stand.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Spigen Onetap Pro MagFit Wireless Charging Stand

The best iPhone charger for StandBy mode

Pros

  • Adjustable stand lets you choose the viewing angle
  • Sturdy rubber feet keep stand from moving around
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Only supports 7.5W wireless charging
  • Lack of MagSafe means StandBy modes won’t be remembered

Apple’s StandBy mode is one of the coolest and most useful features in iOS 17, and it may be enough to change the way you charge your iPhone. Prior to StandBy, it didn’t really matter if you laid your iPhone flat or propped it up on a MagSafe charging stand, but now StandBy gives you a reason to opt for the latter.

While there are plenty of MagSafe and MagSafe-compatible charging stands on the market, not all of them let you take full advantage of what StandBy has to offer. However, Spigen’s OneTap Pro is one of the best picks for this as it provides wireless charging, which is necessary to trigger StandBy, as well as an adjustable viewing angle and grippy rubber feet to keep it from sliding around when you’re interacting with your docked iPhone.

The only downside is that it’s not officially MagSafe-certified, which not only means you’ll be limited to 7.5-watt charging speeds, but also that your iPhone won’t be able to remember the view you’ve set when docked and bring it up again automatically. However, we think that’s a reasonable trade-off considering how affordable this charging stand is compared to fully MagSafe-certified alternatives, most of which aren’t adjustable.

Spigen OneTap Pro (MagFit) Designed for MagSafe Wireless Charging Stand

Spigen Onetap Pro MagFit Wireless Charging Stand

The best iPhone charger for StandBy mode

ESR HaloLock Kickstand Portable Magnetic Charger.

Amazon

ESR HaloLock Kickstand Wireless MagSafe Charger

The best portable iPhone charging stand

Pros

  • Portable charger and stand combo
  • Long USB-C cable included
  • Very affordable

Cons

  • Only supports 7.5W charging
  • Power adapter not included

While Apple’s official MagSafe charger is one of the most portable wireless chargers you can buy, ESR’s HaloLock has it beat in two important areas. The first is the price; since it’s not MagSafe-certified, there’s no premium “Apple tax” to contend with.

More significantly, though, ESR’s HaloLock also has another trick up its sleeve. There’s a built-in kickstand that lets you prop your iPhone up while charging, letting you take advantage of Apple’s new StandBy mode wherever you happen to be.

The package also includes a generous 5-foot removable USB-C to USB-C cable, although you’ll have to supply your own charging brick or other power source, such as a laptop USB-C port. You won’t get to enjoy StandBy mode unless it’s plugged in, but you can still remove the cable and use it as a magnetically attached kickstand for watching movies or participating in video calls. The detachable cable also means you can plug that same cable directly into the iPhone 15’s USB-C port when you want the fastest charging speeds, which makes the slower 7.5-watt wireless charging far less of a compromise.

ESR HaloLock Kickstand Wireless Charger

ESR HaloLock Kickstand Wireless MagSafe Charger

The best portable iPhone charging stand

Apple 20W USB-C Power Adapter

Apple

Apple 20W USB-C Power Adapter

The best official wired iPhone charger

Pros

  • Official Apple adapter
  • Clean and simple design
  • Durable and reliable

Cons

  • 20W limit makes it less useful for other devices

Although you can find a wide assortment of USB-C power bricks from dozens of other manufacturers, Apple’s official USB-C power adapter remains an extremely popular pick among iPhone users for its clean and simple aesthetic. The traditional Apple white and gray design offers no extra frills like LED status lights or extra ports, but that’s OK because it does exactly what it’s supposed to do: send 20 watts of power to your iPhone over a USB-C to Lightning cable or USB-C to USB-C cable, although you’ll have to supply that part yourself. It’s a durable and reliable solution, and the only real downside is that the prongs don’t fold in for travel.

Apple 20W USB-C Power Adapter

Apple 20W USB-C Power Adapter

The best official wired iPhone charger

Belkin 3 in 1 MagSafe Charging Stand.

Amazon

Belkin MagSafe 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand

The best multi-device iPhone charging station

Pros

  • 15W MagSafe iPhone charging
  • Can fast-charge an Apple Watch and AirPods
  • Attractive design

Cons

  • Angle of charging pads can’t be adjusted
  • Expensive

If you’re like many iPhone owners, you probably have other Apple devices in your life, like a set of AirPods or an Apple Watch. In that case, Belkin’s 3-in-1 stand provides an elegant alternative to fussing with multiple chargers to keep all these devices powered up. You’ll also find everything in the box you need to get started, including the power adapter, which discretely connects into the back for a clear and uncluttered look.

This stand provides full-speed MagSafe wireless charging for both the latest iPhone and Apple Watch models, plus a charging spot on the base designed for your AirPods or AirPods Pro. However, it’s actually a standard 5W Qi wireless charger, so you can use it to juice up anything that can fit there — even a second iPhone. There’s enough room to turn even an iPhone 15 Pro Max to landscape orientation so you can take advantage of StandBy mode alongside your Apple Watch. However, the charging discs aren’t adjustable, so you won’t be able to tilt your iPhone up or down to get a better view.

Belkin MagSafe 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand

Belkin MagSafe 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand

The best multi-device iPhone charging station

Anker 511 30W USB-C Charger.

Amazon

Anker 511 Charger (Nano 3)

The best compact iPhone charger

Pros

  • 30W of power guarantees maximum charging speeds
  • Extremely compact size for travel
  • Foldable prongs

Cons

  • Folding prong mechanism can wear out after extended use

While Apple’s 20W USB-C power adapter may be the most popular choice, it’s far from the only game in town. If you’re looking for something even more portable that’s capable of delivering maximum charging speeds to an iPhone 15 Pro Max, then Anker’s 511 is a great choice. You only get a single USB-C power port, but it’s capable of putting out 30 watts of power — enough to satisfy the 27-watt draw of the largest iPhone Pro models from recent years.

Anker’s 511 is also available in a variety of fun colors, with prongs that fold in for ultra-compact travel. The only downside is that some folks have reported problems with the folding mechanism wearing out after extended use, resulting in the prongs no longer locking into place when extended, in which case you’ll have to be more careful when plugging it in.

USB C GaN Charger 30W, Anker 511 Charger (Nano 3), PIQ 3.0 Foldable PPS Fast Charger for iPhone 15/15 Pro/14/14 Pro Max/13, Galaxy, iPad (Cable Not Included) - Misty Blue

Anker 511 Charger (Nano 3)

The best compact iPhone charger

Mophie 3-in-1 MagSafe Travel Charger.

Amazon

Mophie 3-in-1 Travel Charger with MagSafe

The best travel iPhone charger

Pros

  • 15W MagSafe iPhone charging
  • Props up Apple Watch in Nightstand mode
  • Includes carrying case for travel

Cons

  • Doesn’t support Apple Watch fast charging

Mophie’s 3-in-1 travel charger is an ideal accessory for Apple fans who frequently finds themselves on the road. The 15-watt MagSafe charging disc for your iPhone is joined by an Apple Watch and AirPods charger in a strip that folds up into a compact package for travel and features a soft heather gray microsuede fabric on the back that’s matched by a stylish carrying case that provides room for the included USB-C charging brick and cable.

As with most other chargers like this, the space designed for your AirPods is actually just a 5-watt Qi charger, so you can drop any other Qi-compatible device on there, from an alternative set of earbuds like Sony’s WF-1000XM5 to another family member’s smartphone. That won’t charge up as much as an iPhone on the 15W MagSafe disc, but it should be more than enough to top it up overnight.

3-in-1 Travel Charger with MagSafe

Mophie 3-in-1 Travel Charger with MagSafe

The best travel iPhone charger

Anker 637 MagGo Magnetic Desktop Charging Station.

Amazon

Anker 637 Magnetic Desktop Charging Station (MagGo)

The best desktop iPhone charging station

Pros

  • Doubles as a USB/AC power station
  • Attractive design
  • Up to 65W charging

Cons

  • Doesn’t support 15W MagSafe charging

Anker has a solid lineup of affordable MagSafe-compatible chargers — with “compatible” meaning that they can attach magnetically to the rings on your iPhone, but won’t provide 15W charging. However, the slower charging speeds may be worth living with for the Anker 637, since its unassuming design actually hides some other powerful features.

From the front, the charging station doesn’t look like much more than a stylish magnetic charging dock, but around back you’ll find three AC power ports, two USB-A ports, and two USB-C ports so it can replace a power bar and help reduce the clutter on your desk. The USB-C ports are also capable of delivering up to 65 watts of power, which is more than enough to keep a MacBook or other standard laptop juiced up without the need to plug in a separate power brick.

Anker Magnetic Desktop Charging Station(MagGo), 637 Magnetic Wireless Charger for iPhone13/12, 8-in-1 Power Strip with 3 AC,2 USB A,and 2 USB C,Max 65W Power Delivery Desktop Accessory for MacBook Pro

Anker 637 Magnetic Desktop Charging Station (MagGo)

The best desktop iPhone charging station

ESR 15W MagSafe Car Charger.

Amazon

ESR 15W Car Charger with MagSafe + CryoBoost

The best wireless iPhone car charger

Pros

  • 15W MagSafe charging
  • Built-in cooling system
  • Perfect for your car

You’ve probably noticed that your iPhone can warm up quite a bit when using magnetic charging, and that can be even more apparent with faster 15-watt MagSafe charging. This is just the laws of physics at work, as the energy that doesn’t make it into your iPhone has to go somewhere, so it’s released as heat. While that’s likely a minor annoyance at your desk, it can be a real problem when you’re in a hot car. Fortunately, ESR has come up with a way to help your iPhone keep its cool.

Thanks to the company’s CryoBoost technology, this 15W MagSafe car charging dock powers up your iPhone while directing the heat away from it using fans and other internal cooling techniques. This also allows you to more effectively take advantage of full 15W MagSafe charging speeds, since your iPhone is less likely to slow down its power draw to avoid overheating.

While it won’t compensate for a lack of air conditioning, it won’t generate extra heat, and it will save you from having to fiddle with your vents on a long road trip to make sure they’re blowing on your iPhone.

ESR 15W Magnetic Wireless Car Charger Mount with CryoBoost, Compatible with MagSafe Car Charger, Made for Apple-Certified, for iPhone 15/14/13/12, Fast Charging, Phone-Cooling Charger, Cool Grey

ESR 15W Car Charger with MagSafe + CryoBoost

The best wireless iPhone car charger

Ugreen 140W GaN USB C charger.

Amazon

Ugreen 140W Nexode USB-C GaN Charger

The best wired iPhone charger for multiple devices

Pros

  • 140W of charging power
  • Three charging ports
  • Sleek, functional design

Cons

  • Might be overkill for some people

Although single-port USB-C iPhone chargers are fine when you only need to plug in your iPhone, it can be a hassle to juggle multiple power adapters and power bars when you’re trying to charge your iPhone, iPad, and MacBook all at once. Thankfully, advances in charging technology have allowed companies to produce surprisingly compact chargers that can deliver all the power you need.

Ugreen’s 140W Nexode charger delivers more than enough power to charge all of your devices over USB-C at maximum speeds, right up to a 16-inch MacBook Pro (with Apple’s USB-C to MagSafe 3 charging cable). Like most multiport power adapters, the 140 watts is shared across all three ports, but you’ll be able to charge your iPhone 15 Pro at top speeds and still supply 100 watts to fast-charge a MacBook Pro, or even connect two MacBooks to deliver 65-watt charging to both.

UGREEN 140W USB C Charger, Mac Book Pro Charger Foldable Nexode PD3.1 PPS 3-Port Fast GaN Laptop Wall Charger Power Adapter for MacBook Pro 16'', Dell XPS, iPhone 15 Pro, Chromebook (with 240W Cable)

Ugreen 140W Nexode USB-C GaN Charger

The best wired iPhone charger for multiple devices

Apple MagSafe Battery Pack.

Amazon

Apple MagSafe Battery Pack

The best iPhone battery and charger combo

Pros

  • Supports 15W MagSafe charging when plugged in
  • Tight iPhone integration for optimal power management
  • Can reverse charge from iPhone

Cons

  • Requires a Lightning cable for charging

Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack is unlike any other magnetic iPhone battery pack on the market. For one thing, it’s the only battery pack that’s MagSafe-certified and can therefore provide full-speed 15W wireless charging. However, that only happens when it’s plugged in; while using it as a battery pack, it will power your iPhone at a considerably more modest 5 watts.

However, that’s not as much of a problem as it seems, since Apple’s battery pack is also tightly integrated into iOS to maximize power efficiency. Unlike other MagSafe battery packs, your iPhone knows when Apple’s MagSafe battery is attached, so it will continue conserving power rather than assuming it has a relatively unlimited AC supply to draw from. It’s best to think of Apple’s MagSafe battery pack as an extra capacity tank for your iPhone, rather than something that you’ll use to recharge the internal battery of a dead iPhone.

Unfortunately, the Apple MagSafe Battery Pack hasn’t made the USB-C transition yet, so you’ll need a Lightning cable to power it or charge it back up. However, it also uniquely supports reverse wireless charging from any MagSafe-compatible iPhone, including the iPhone 15 lineup. That means you can plug your USB-C cable into your iPhone 15 while the MagSafe battery pack is attached and it will charge up from there.

Apple MagSafe Battery Pack

Apple MagSafe Battery Pack

The best iPhone battery and charger combo

Frequently Asked Questions

Wired or wireless: What’s the difference?

The obvious difference between wired and wireless charging is that wired charging involves plugging a cable directly into your iPhone while wireless charging lets you set your iPhone down on an appropriate charging pad or disc to transfer power using magnetic induction.

On most iPhone models, wired charging requires a USB-A or USB-C to Lightning cable. The latest iPhone 15 models have switched out the Lightning port for a USB-C port, and can be charged with any standard USB-A-to-USB-C or USB-C-to-USB-C cable.

Wireless charging requires either a Qi compatible wireless charger or an Apple-certified MagSafe charger. Nearly any wireless charger on the market can be used with an iPhone, but they’re not all created equal.

Wired charging is always more power-efficient than wireless charging, and if you’re using the right adapter, it’s guaranteed to be much faster. However, it’s not as convenient.

What is the difference between MagSafe and Qi wireless charging?

Qi is a standard developed by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) that offers several different “profiles” for power deliver. While the Base Power Profile (BPP) can only deliver 5-watt charging, there’s an Extended Power Profile (EPP) that can go up to 15 watts. However, Apple’s implementation of EPP limits iPhone charging speeds to 7.5 watts, regardless of the Qi charger used.

In 2020, Apple developed MagSafe, a custom extension of the Qi EPP standard that’s capable of delivering up to 15 watts of power, but only with an Apple-certified MagSafe charger. However, this isn’t just about selling more Apple-certified chargers; since wireless charging is very inefficient, it’s important to ensure proper alignment of the charging coils between the pad and the device to avoid wasting energy and generating the kind of excessive heat that would require devices to slow down charging to avoid damage.

The magnets in Apple’s MagSafe technology ensure that the charger is perfectly aligned for optimal charging. Apple has worked with the WPC to roll this into a new Magnetic Power Profile (MPP) as part of the Qi2 standard. This is essentially an open-source version of MagSafe that will be managed by the WPC rather than Apple. The first Qi2 charging accessories with MPP support have already been announced and should be appearing on the market in late 2023 and early 2024.

Which iPhones have wireless charging?

Apple introduced wireless charging to its iPhone lineup in 2017 with the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X. Every model released since then has supported at least standard Qi wireless charging at 7.5-watt speeds.

In 2020, Apple added MagSafe to the entire iPhone 12 lineup, offering 15-watt charging with an Apple-certified MagSafe charger. This has been a staple on its mainstream iPhones since then, although it’s still missing on the 2020 and 2023 iPhone SE models, which are limited to the same 7.5-watt Qi speeds as their spiritual predecessor, the iPhone 8.

Can I use a MagSafe charger with an older iPhone or iPhone SE?

All MagSafe chargers are fully compatible with the Qi standard. The iPhone SE and pre-iPhone 12 models without MagSafe will treat them as a normal Qi charger and draw only 7.5 watts. MagSafe chargers can also be used to charge any other Qi-compatible devices.

How long does it take for an iPhone to charge?

According to Apple’s official specifications, all recent iPhone models can charge from zero to 50% in around 30 minutes when using wired charging with a proper 20W or better USB-C power adapter. However, that doesn’t mean you’ll get to 100% in an hour.

To preserve battery health, the iPhone slows down its charging when it reaches 50%, and then slows things down even more above 80%. As a rule of thumb, you’ll typically get to 80% in an hour, and then have to wait about another hour to top up that last 20%. These slower speeds avoid excessive wear on the battery.

Those higher-range times can also vary depending on which iPhone model and charger you’re using. For example, the iPhone 15 Pro Max has a larger battery than its smaller counterpart, which means that, all other things being equal, it will take longer to charge to full capacity. Fortunately, the iPhone 15 Pro Max can also draw more charging current, so using a 27-watt or better power adapter will give you the best possible charging speeds for that larger model.

Lastly, while MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging is rated at 15 watts, your actual charging times will be comparatively slower since wireless charging is much less efficient at transferring power. A 15W MagSafe charger actually juices up your iPhone at about half the speed of a 20W wired USB-C connection. Wireless is great for overnight charging, or when you’re sitting around at home or the office, but if you’re in a hurry, plugging in with a USB-C adapter will always give you a faster charge.

Do I need to use an Apple-certified charger with my iPhone?

Don’t let the Lightning port on older iPhone models trick you into thinking that Apple requires you to use an Apple-certified charger for your iPhone. While you should definitely purchase your charger and Lightning cable from a reputable brand, what’s on the other end of that cable is a standard USB connection that will work with any USB-certified charger — of which there are hundreds, if not thousands, available. For the fastest charging, pick up a USB-C charger that can put out at least 20 watts to 30 watts of power. However, if you’re only charging your iPhone overnight, even an older USB-A charger can still get the job done — and the slower charging will be better for your battery’s health, too.

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