With a new material called Gallium nitride (GaN), semiconductor components have been able to be shrunk down, leading to smaller than ever charging accessories. Several accessory makers have been taking advantage of GaN technology for new products, including Anker.

Anker recently debuted the PowerPort Atom PD 1, a 30W USB-C charger that's much smaller than the USB-C power adapters offered by Apple and, in fact, not much larger than an iPhone charger.

ankerpowerport1
The Atom measures in at 1.4 inches wide and 1.5 inches tall, which is about 40 percent smaller than the similar 29/30W USB-C chargers that ship with the MacBook and MacBook Air.

Design wise, there's not a whole lot to say about the Atom. It's a small white charger that's almost cube shaped, with a shiny face and a single USB-C port that has "PD" written above it to denote its status as a USB-C PD power adapter. At the side, there's an Anker logo.

ankerpowerport2
The plug at the back is not collapsible, likely due to its small size, which is one minor negative. It doesn't fold down, so the prongs are always going to be sticking out.

The small size of the Atom is convenient because when you plug it in to an outlet or a power strip, it doesn't take up unnecessary space. In my case, I have a power strip in a cable organizing box, and power adapter size can be a real concern in this kind of situation.

ankerpowerport3
A smaller power adapter doesn't take up more than one outlet, and it can be placed in either the top or bottom slots. It's also not in the way with a power strip, and it's more versatile than Apple's own power adapters.

powerportpluggedin
As a 30W USB-C power adapter, the Atom is ideal for charging the USB-C enabled iPad Pro models, the MacBook, and the ‌MacBook Air‌. It's not powerful enough for the 13 and 15-inch MacBook Pro models, but for all smaller devices, it's perfect.

powerportipadpro

Atom next to ‌iPad Pro‌ USB-C power adapter

It's also ideal for use with the ‌iPhone‌ for fast charging purposes. If you pair it with a Lightning to USB-C cable, it will charge an ‌iPhone‌ to 50 percent in a half an hour. You can also fast charge older ‌iPad Pro‌ models that use Lightning instead of USB-C with a Lightning to USB-C cable and Anker's Atom.

powerportmacbook

Atom next to 29W USB-C MacBook power adapter

On the 2018 USB-C ‌iPad Pro‌ models, you're going to see faster charging with a USB-C to USB-C cable than you do with Apple's standard 18W power adapter.

With the standard 18W USB-C power adapter that comes with the new ‌iPad Pro‌ models, my 11-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ charged to 45 percent in an hour. With Anker's 30W power adapter, it charged to 66 percent during the same time period. Testing was done both times charging from 1 percent in airplane mode.

Anker's USB-C to Lightning Cables

Apple recently began allowing third-party companies to develop Apple-certified "Made for ‌iPhone‌" USB-C to Lightning cables, and Anker is set to launch its first USB-C to Lightning options in late February.

I was able to test out the cables, which will be available in two varieties -- the Powerline II and the Powerline+. Anker's cables will come in three and six-foot lengths.

ankerlightningcablesusbc
Powerline+ is the premium version of the cable, covered in a durable and attractive braided nylon material. The version I have on hand is red, and it's a nice looking cable. Pricing for this cable hasn't yet been announced, but the standard Powerline II will be priced at $15.99.

I haven't been able to use it for a long period of time to test durability, but Anker's cables are known for being well made. It certainly feels sturdy, and the USB-C and Lightning connectors at the ends are protected with a thick rubber material and an aluminum cap that prevents flexing at vulnerable points.

ankerlightningcables2

PowerLine+ Lightning to USB-C cable

It's usually the ends of cables where fraying happens, so the protection Anker has added should keep the Powerline+ from breaking with frequent use.

The Powerline II cable is similar to the Powerline+, but it doesn't have the nylon covering. It's made from the same material as any other standard Apple cable.

ankerlightningcable3

PowerLine II Lightning to USB-C cable

The connector ends are protected with a rubber material, but there's no aluminum end for added durability. Still, the thick rubber material that extends past the joint where the cable attaches to the connector is more protection than a standard Apple USB-C to Lightning cable offers, and it too should hold up well.

Pricing isn't available on Anker's USB-C to Lightning cables as of yet, but they're likely to be priced competitively. Apple's 1m (3ft) USB-C to Lightning cable is priced at $19.99.

Bottom Line

If you need a USB-C power adapter for the purpose of fast charging an ‌iPhone‌ or as a secondary charger for an ‌iPad Pro‌, MacBook, or ‌MacBook Air‌, the Atom is an ideal choice. It's small, compact, and affordable, priced $15 less than Apple's 30W Power Adapter.

Most USB-C PD chargers from established companies on Amazon are priced in the neighborhood of $25 to $30 anyway, so the Atom is competitively priced and shelling out a few extra dollars for portability and convenience seems well worth it.

Anker's upcoming USB-C to Lightning cables offer the durability that Anker customers have come to expect from Anker cables, and will be a solid choice for those who need a USB-C to Lightning cable.

How to Buy

You can purchase the PowerPort Atom PD 1 from Amazon for $30, and it is expected to be back in stock later today or tomorrow. The first of Anker's USB-C to Lightning cables will be launching in February, and the Powerline II is available for pre-order on Anker's site for $15.99.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Tag: Anker

Top Rated Comments

bflowers Avatar
54 months ago
Is fast charging an iPhone with this PowerPort Atom PD 1bad for the battery? Device looks good. I'm tempted.
The iPhone controls how fast it charges. It will throttle charging as it gets closer to full. From what I've heard listening to tech podcasts, you might shave a week or two off the battery life by fast charging and leaving it charge overnight, but that is about it.

An example I've heard was this: Imagine you and all your friends are going to cram into a car. The first 4 people can all jump in at the same time. The next few can get in pretty easy too. By the time you shove numbers 10, 11, and 12 in, it gets kind of hard. Your batteries are like that. When empty, they charge pretty quick. That last 5-10% you really have to cram in. That's why some suggestions are to run your battery down to 25%, then charge up to about 75%. Keeps it in the "fairly easy" range.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
UltimaKilo Avatar
54 months ago
Here’s hoping Apple catches up and starts making this standard in the 2018 iPhones.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iSayuSay Avatar
54 months ago
Lightning port really is the annoying problem in this situation, the Macbook and iPad Pro has been using the same cable, but this one particular iPhone requires me to bring another extra cable, just for the iPhone! Am I in the same ecosystem or what? LOL
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B-Mc-C Avatar
54 months ago
Considering the prongs are not retractable, it doesn’t seem to save much space over the Apple chargers.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ignatius345 Avatar
54 months ago
Considering the prongs are not retractable, it doesn’t seem to save much space over the Apple chargers.
Yikes, good catch. Always-out prongs are just awful in your bag.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ignatius345 Avatar
54 months ago
The iPhone controls how fast it charges. It will throttle charging as it gets closer to full. From what I've heard listening to tech podcasts, you might shave a week or two off the battery life by fast charging and leaving it charge overnight, but that is about it.

An example I've heard was this: Imagine you and all your friends are going to cram into a car. The first 4 people can all jump in at the same time. The next few can get in pretty easy too. By the time you shove numbers 10, 11, and 12 in, it gets kind of hard. Your batteries are like that. When empty, they charge pretty quick. That last 5-10% you really have to cram in. That's why some suggestions are to run your battery down to 25%, then charge up to about 75%. Keeps it in the "fairly easy" range.
Thanks -- clearest breakdown I've read yet on why this is so!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 15 Pro Buttons CAD Leak

iPhone 15 Pro Leak Reveals Unified Volume Button and Mute Button

Monday March 20, 2023 8:33 am PDT by
As previously rumored, the next-generation iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will feature a unified volume button and a mute button, according to leaked CAD images shared in a video on the Chinese version of TikTok and posted to Twitter by ShrimpApplePro. Instead of separate buttons for volume up and volume down, the iPhone 15 Pro models are expected to have a single elongated button for...
iOS 16

iOS 16.4 for iPhone Nearing Launch With These 5 New Features

Monday March 20, 2023 11:50 am PDT by
Apple says iOS 16.4 is coming in the spring, which began this week. In his Sunday newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the update should be released "in the next three weeks or so," meaning a public release is likely in late March or early April. iOS 16.4 remains in beta testing and introduces a handful of new features and changes for the iPhone. Below, we have recapped five new features ...
original iphone auction

Factory-Sealed Original iPhone Sells for $55,000 at Auction

Friday March 17, 2023 1:08 pm PDT by
A first-generation iPhone still sealed inside its box sold for $54,904 at auction, which is more than $54,000 over the original $599 price tag of the device when it was released in 2007. The original iPhone was put up for sale by RR Auction on behalf of a former Apple employee who purchased it back when it first came out. Back in February, an original, sealed iPhone sold for over $63,000,...
voice isolation

iOS 16.4 Adds Voice Isolation for Cellular Phone Calls

Tuesday March 21, 2023 11:01 am PDT by
The iOS 16.4 update that is set to be released to the public in the near future includes voice isolation for cellular calls, according to notes that Apple shared today. Apple says that Voice Isolation will prioritize your voice and block out the ambient noise around you, making for clearer phone calls where you can better hear the person you're chatting with and vice versa. Voice...
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro Feature

iPhone 12 Pro vs. 15 Pro: New Features to Expect if You've Waited to Upgrade

Friday March 17, 2023 10:29 am PDT by
While year-over-year iPhone upgrades are not always groundbreaking, new features can begin to stack up over multiple generations. For example, the iPhone 15 Pro will be a notable upgrade for those who still have a three-year-old iPhone 12 Pro. If you are still using an iPhone 12 Pro and are considering upgrading to the iPhone 15 Pro when it launches later this year, we have put together a...
top stories 18mar2023

Top Stories: iPhone 15 Pro Pricing, New iOS 16.4 Beta, Siri vs. ChatGPT, and More

Saturday March 18, 2023 6:00 am PDT by
Apple's high-end iPhone models have started at $999 in the U.S. since they first launched back in 2017 with the iPhone X, but could this finally be the year that starting price sees an increase? This week also saw some more rumors about Apple's upcoming headset and the company's explorations in the booming AI industry as well as the release of a new round of beta updates, so read on for all...
smart monitor m8 samsung

Deals: Samsung's iMac-Like Smart Monitor M8 Drops to Lowest Price of Year So Far With $250 Discount

Monday March 20, 2023 8:27 am PDT by
Samsung today kicked off a special "Discover Samsung" event, which will be a week-long savings event focusing on Samsung monitors, smartphones, TVs, appliances, and more. While some deals will stick around the entire week (through March 26), others will refresh every day. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Samsung. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small...