Questions & Answers for Apple 12W USB Power Adapter

An iPad requires at least 10W to charge at full speed. The 5W charger, when used with an iPad will cause it to display a "not charging" message - it will actually charge, but very slowly. Your iPhone will probably charge at the same speed with either adapter.

WRT the plug, the 5W adapter has a US-standard plug. You will need an adapter to plug it into any other country's outlets. The circuitry is universal, so you can use a simply adapter and won't need a voltage converter outside of the US.

The 12W adapter comes with a US-standard plug, but it is removable. You can attach a cord/plug (like those the laptop chargers include) or use Apple's international plugs, if you are so inclined.

WRT durability, I've never had a problem with any of Apple's chargers. But make sure you're buying an actual Apple product. There are a lot of third-party knock-offs that look similar, but are lousy quality. Given that it's often impossible to know until after you make your purchase, I would recommend only buying Apple chargers directly from Apple.

WRT compatbility, These chargers should work with any USB device. Given that a standard USB port supplies only 2.5W, you should be able to use either Apple charger with any device that can charge from a computer's port. I would recommend using the 12W adapter with anything that may require high power of if you're not sure. Fortunatley, they both cost the same price ($20 right now), so there's really no reason not to get the 12W model, unless you really want a very small device.

• Answered by David C from Purcellville
• 05-Dec-2014
• Flag as inappropriate Answer (What is the difference between this 12W USB Power Adapter and the 5W USB Power Adapter, i.e. speed of charging, plug, durability, compatibility?)

I haven't seen the new wall charging unit, but if we assume that the output voltage is 5 volts -- then the charging unit would be putting out 2.4 amps.

Quick calculation to find watts: Volts * Amps = Watts, so 5V * 2.4 amps = 12 watts.

• Answered by Gerry C from Coto De Caza
• 26-Oct-2012
• Flag as inappropriate Answer (Is this still 2.1 amps?)

The current and the safest watt for charging the ipad is 2.4A. Which is the 12W adaptor. Be careful of those brand new 3.4A adaptors which gives a bigger watt ratings that could damage your ipad. It may charge your ipad at a much faster rate. But the capacitor that was built in the port may damage resulting in battery explosion.

• Answered by Foxtrot N from Mandaluyong
• 19-Jun-2016
• Flag as inappropriate Answer (What are the different USB power plug watt ratings and which one is the highest?)

No, it does not. When first plugged in, there is a brief ½ second, one tenth Watt reading, but quickly goes to zero when nothing is attached. This is expected behavior for intelligent, energy conserving power supplies.

The resolution of my Kill-A-Watt meter is 0.01 Amp, or 0.05 Watt, so it's possible it may have a minute draw below that resolution, but that would be negligible and not considered a "vampire draw," like older technology.

• Answered by M. K from Portland
• 07-Feb-2016
• Flag as inappropriate Answer (Does my apple charger use electricity when plugged in but no in use?)

Yes. I have the 7plus too. this charger charges the 7plus from dead to 100% in 2.5hr. If memory serves me right, the standard iphone charger charges it in 4hr.

• Answered by Enoch W from Melbourne
• 28-Mar-2017
• Flag as inappropriate Answer (Will this charge the iPhone 7 Plus faster than the charger included? If yes is it noticeably fatser?)

All Apple power adapters are rated with a AC voltage ranging from 110 V all the way up to 240 V. This way, you can use them everywhere on Earth.

• Answered by Xavier J from Kansas City
• 22-May-2017
• Flag as inappropriate Answer (Can the charger be used in the USA (110V) given I have an adapter but not a voltage converter)

All Apple power adapters are rated 110V-240V AC, 50-60Hz. YOu can pretty much use it everywhere.

• Answered by Xavier J from Kansas City
• 22-May-2017
• Flag as inappropriate Answer (I have an iPad Pro and iPhone 6 when using a plug adapter is just USB cord enough or do I also need the base to convert from 220v to 110v?)

Unfortunately NO

• Answered by Giancarlo F from Dubino
• 07-Jan-2017
• Flag as inappropriate Answer (Does the USB cable for a 3rd gen ipod shuffle work for a 2nd gen ipod shuffle?)

Typically yes, I have tested it on my ipad 4 without causing any problem. However since it is 10w output i guest it takes slightly longer time to fully charge as compared to 12w

• Answered by Lee K from 草加
• 18-May-2014
• Flag as inappropriate Answer (Will an ipad 3 10w charger charge the ipad 4)

Yes, you can use this charger. You can always use a power adapter with a higher wattage rating for *any* device.† This is because the wattage rating is the maximum number of watts the device is *capable* of outputting, not the amount it *will* output. It's the connected device which determines how much power is actually drawn.

The same isn't true for output voltage, however. You need the output voltage to match that of the device. In the case of USB chargers, you don't need to worry about this because the USB specification always uses a fixed voltage.

The cable which you need would be the same as the one that came with your iPad mini 2.

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† But you should never use a power adapter with a rating less than that of the device to which it connects, even if it appears to work. Doing so may overheat the power adapter, permanently damage it, or might even lead to a fire.

• Answered by M. K from Portland
• 07-Feb-2016
• Flag as inappropriate Answer (I just got an IPAD MINI 2 for Christmas and it came with a 10w charger can I use the 12w and which cable would I need)