The Anker PowerPort Atom III is the first gallium nitrite power supply from Anker that I have reviewed. Anyone who doesn't know what to do with the term gallium nitrite (GaN) might like my contribution about the advantages of GaN power supplies read through. In short, gallium nitrite is the better silicon because it allows higher currents with smaller dimensions. This enables powerful laptop power supplies like the Anchor PowerPort III be built in dimensions that would not have been technically possible with silicon.
Chapter in this post:
- 1 60 watts - sufficient for all MacBook Pro models
- 2 My "measurement setup" for the test
- 3 Apple vs. Anker: Measurement results on the 15-inch MacBook Pro
- 4 comparison measurements with iPad Pro and iPhone XS
- 5 iPad Pro
- 6iPhone XS
- 7 My conclusion on the Anker PowerPort III
- 8 Bad Amazon Rating - Why?
- 9 Similar posts
60 watts - sufficient for all MacBook Pro models
The big question that many Mac users who otherwise use the 86 watt Apple power supply unit for their 15 inch MacBook Pro ask themselves: Is the 60 watt power supply unit from Anker enough to charge the computer during operation?
In order to charge a MacBook Pro in sleep mode, 30W power supplies are usually sufficient, but during operation they usually just keep the MacBook Pro at the same battery level. The battery is rarely charged.
My "measurement setup" for the test
In order to sprinkle in a few values from practice, I discharged my MacBook Pro 15 inch from 2017 to such an extent that the battery level was below 40%. The internal display, an external monitor and a 2,5-inch hard drive on the MacBook Pro ran during the measurements.
In order to ensure the mathematical utilization of the capacity, I left Geekbench 5 run while I took the measurements. I think this simulated a load that would otherwise probably only occur through 3D renderings, audio or video renderings and the like.
According to the label, my Apple USB-C power supply has 86 watts (20 V at 4,3 A). But there are also models with 85 or 87 watts. However, this is irrelevant for the measurements.
I measured with one Satechi USB-C testerthat indicates with voltage and current. I then wrote down the highest values that were reached for several seconds.
Apple vs. Anker: Measurement results on the 15-inch MacBook Pro
The measurement results are as follows:
- Apple power supply: 20,0 V at 2,75 A corresponds to 55 watts
- Anker PowerPort III: 19,5 V at 2,8 A correspond to 54,6 watts
As you can see, both values are very close to each other, although the Anker PowerPort III "only" charges with 19,5 volts. But even the 55 watts are well below the 60 watts that the Anker power supply can deliver. The Apple USB-C power supply, on the other hand, is quite oversized. I really couldn't measure more than 55 watts at any time.
Small interim conclusion: Yes, the Anker PowerPort III is easily enough for all MacBook Pro models (even for the 15 inch versions).
Comparative measurements with iPad Pro and iPhone XS
To round things off, I took a few more measurements with my iPad Pro 10,5 inch and my iPhone XS. Both devices benefit from the USB Power Delivery Support that the Anker PowerPort III has thanks to the PowerIQ3.0 charge control.
The results look like this:
iPad Pro
- Apple power supply: 8,9 V at 2,05 A corresponds to 18,245 watts
- Anker power supply: 14,9 V at 1,6 A correspond to 23,84 watts
It is interesting that the Apple power supply negotiated only 8,9 volts of charging voltage with the iPad, while the Anker PowerPort III output 14,9 volts when charging via USB Power Delivery. How this difference arises is unclear to me, but as a result the iPad Pro charges on the anchor power supply with approx. 30% more power and thus 30% faster.
iPhone XS
- Apple power supply: 8,9 V at 1,4 A corresponds to 12,46 watts
- Anker power supply: 8,9 V at 1,4 A correspond to 12,46 watts
There were no surprises when charging the iPhone XS. Here both charge via USB-PD with 8,9 volts and an output of approx. 12,5 watts. This is the often advertised performance that allows you to charge an iPhone from 30% to 0% in 50 minutes.
My conclusion on the Anker PowerPort III
The realization of the power supply with gallium nitrite (GaN) allows Anker a design that is significantly smaller than the original Apple power supply that is usually included with the MacBook Pro models. In my opinion, the Anker USB-C power supply unit qualifies as the perfect travel power supply unit, as it weighs 140 grams and is not even half as heavy as its Apple counterpart.
In terms of performance, it is sufficient for all current MacBook Pro models and it also offers fast charging via USB Power Delivery, so that iPads and iPhones can also be recharged in no time.
I found it particularly surprising that my iPad Pro even charges 30% faster than the original Apple power adapter for my MacBook Pro. Particularly noteworthy because the original iPad power supply only delivers 12 watts. In comparison, the Anker PowerPort III charges the iPad twice as fast.
In short: The USB-C power supply is actually superior to the original from Apple in all respects (including the price). The additional power that the Apple power supply offers is not necessary in everyday life because it is simply not used.
If you are interested in the power supply, you will find the Anker PowerPort III (60W) here on amazon or via this product box:
- UNIVERSAL COMPATIBILITY: From iPhone to Galaxy to USB-C laptops and much more. Anker's exclusive Power IQ ...
- ONE FOR ALL: Thanks to the 60W USB-C PowerIQ 3.0 port, your PowerPort Atom III is compatible with almost all ...
- EXTREMELY COMPACT: 35% smaller than ordinary MacBook chargers and as tiny as a golf ball. Fits in every ...
If you work with a MacBook (without Pro), you can my test report on the Anker PowerPort III mini (30W) read through. The device is even smaller and is easily sufficient for a 12 inch MacBook. Here is the product box for the PowerPort III mini:
- HIGH-SPEED UNIVERSAL: From iPhone to Samsung to USB-C laptops and more. Anker's world famous PowerIQ 3.0 ...
- ONE FOR ALL: Compatible with all your USB devices! Rely on 30W Performance with PowerIQ 3.0!
- EXTREMELY COMPACT: 30% smaller than ordinary MacBook chargers - great for on the go!
Bad Amazon rating - why?
A quick note about the negative Amazon rating. An iPhone user reports very long charging times, with the original Apple charging adapter that comes with the iPhones being only 10% slower.
My measurements show a completely different picture, because for me the iPhone charges with 12,5 watts through the USB Power Delivery while the normal Apple iPhone power supply unit only offers 5 watts. This means that the customer either has an older iPhone that does not support USB-PD or he has measured incorrectly. There would be no other explanation for the minimal difference of 10%.
My measurements show that the Anker PowerPort III charges iPhones with USB-PD more than twice as fast as the USB power supply unit that is usually included with the iPhones. Only the latest iPhone 11 Pro models already have a USB-C power supply in the pack, which should achieve similar values when charging.
I recently published a photo on Instagram and asked for tips on what the motif might be. Now I can resolve it: It's a close-up of the status light on my Anker PowerPort III:
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Jens has been running the blog since 2012. He appears as Sir Apfelot for his readers and helps them with problems of a technical nature. In his free time he drives electric unicycles, takes photos (preferably with his iPhone, of course), climbs around in the Hessian mountains or hikes with the family. His articles deal with Apple products, news from the world of drones or solutions for current bugs.
The page contains affiliate links / images: Amazon.de