USB-C, MagSafe, GaN: what Mac charger terms actually mean
A plain-language glossary so a Mac charger listing actually makes sense.
Why these words matter
Product titles look like “USB-C PD GaN 100W MagSafe compatible”. This page unpacks that so you can finish the Mac charger guide and the MacBook charger comparison without guessing.
USB-C: the universal Mac port
The reversible flat plug Apple has used on every Mac since 2016.
- Same cable family for Mac, iPad, recent iPhone, headphones, disks
- Up to 240W with the right cable
- Fast charge plus data
Watch the cable: a phone cable may be 60W. Use a 100W-rated cable on a MacBook.
MagSafe: magnetic safety
If you trip on the cable, the connector lets go instead of yanking the laptop. MagSafe 3 (2021+) is USB-C on the brick side, magnetic on the Mac. Older MagSafe 1/2 need a matching charger.
MagSafe 3 is on Air M2–M5 and on 14" and 16" Pro models from 2021. Pair it with the right wattage. Worth-it write-up: MagSafe Mac charger. Official USB-C ladder: Apple USB-C charger.
Power Delivery (PD)
The protocol that lets a Mac charger negotiate watts. A 100W PD brick can feed an Air at ~30W or a Pro closer to its limit. Always look for “USB-C Power Delivery” — that is the compatibility line that matters more than the logo. Apple vs compatible covers the rest.
GaN (gallium nitride)
A semiconductor swap versus old silicon. Practical effects: less heat, smaller brick, better efficiency.
Examples already on the comparison: UGREEN Nexode, Anker 735 GaNPrime, Belkin 140W.
Watts
| Power | Typical use | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 20-30W | iPhone, iPad, light Air use | Apple 20W, Anker Nano |
| 30-70W+ | Air M1–M5, Pro 13" | Apple 35W Dual, UGREEN 65W |
| 96-100W | Pro 14", heavy use | Apple 96W, UGREEN 100W |
| 140W | MacBook Pro 16" | Apple 140W, Belkin 140W |
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Certifications
- CE — required in Europe
- USB-C PD — the Mac handshake
- PPS — finer voltage steps than basic PD
- UL / FCC — US safety marks
No-name chargers often have none of these. Do not put them on a MacBook.
Terms make sense — pick the charger
Go to the 2026 comparison or back to the Mac charger guide.