Apple Watch Series 7 Fast Charging Requires 5W or Greater USB-C PD Adapter

The Apple Watch Series 7 includes a new charging architecture that allows it to refuel up to 33% faster than the Series 6, charging from 0 to 80% in 45 minutes.

apple watch series 7 fast charge
The fast-charging capability requires a new USB-C charging cable that Apple includes in the box with the watch and also sells separately, but until now Apple hasn't provided details on what wattage of power adapter is required for fast charging. Apple no longer includes a power adapter in the box with the Apple Watch, so users will need to provide their own.

In a new support document published today just as the first Apple Watch Series 7 orders have started arriving, Apple reveals that any of its USB-C power adapters rated at 18 watts or higher will support fast charging on the new watch. In addition, third-party USB-C adapters rated at 5 watts or higher will allow for fast charging as long as they support the USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) protocol.

Fast charging requires an Apple USB-C Magnetic Fast Charging Cable. This cable has aluminum around the magnetic charger and a USB-C connector.

You also need one of these power adapters:

  • Apple 18W, 20W, 29W, 30W, 61W, 87W, or 96W USB-C Power Adapter
  • A comparable third-party USB-C power adapter that supports USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) of 5W or greater

Apple says that fast charging is not available in Argentina, India, or Vietnam, but the company has not offered a reason for this limitation.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)

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Top Rated Comments

Caliber26 Avatar
48 months ago
Who needs a USB-C 20W brick. We’ve been collecting them for years and years. Everyone has a couple extras somewhere in their kitchen junk drawer, right? ?
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ANDJOE Avatar
48 months ago
A jeez I just bought a bunch of 2.5 watt USB-C chargers. Boy is my face red.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
48 months ago
USB-C sweet. So, we have to buy the fast charging charger? Apple really eliminated the charger from an Apple Watch?

Apple, can you please come up with something like this so I can charge my iPhone and Apple Watch with one charger continuously? Now this is how you save the environment! ?



Attachment Image
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nitramluap Avatar
48 months ago
Ah, yes... the fantastic USB-C 'standard'...
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jz0309 Avatar
48 months ago
unsurprisingly ...
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ian87w Avatar
48 months ago

Is there a technical reason they couldn't implement USB-PD with type-A jacks? Or did they just want to kill type-A?

It's annoying because 99% of USB charging outlets provided to the public out in the real world are type-A.
I believe USB-PD requires certain pins and circuitry that is just not available on type-A.
And it's not like you cannot use the old type-A cable. It's just regular charging speed, and since the Apple Watch battery is small enough, I don't think it's a big deal for most people.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)