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At the end of last month, Anker launched a range of new chargers using a new technology they call GaNPrime.
The product lineup included some of your typical chargers, such as the Anker 737 I have reviewed today. These all plug directly into the wall and have 2x USB-C ports and a single USB-A port. There is a 65W 735 model or this 120W 737 model.
Oddly, there is also a 7-series Anker 735 Charger (Nano II 65W), which costs about the same and has almost the same spec as the GaNPrime counterpart.
They also launched a few more interesting options. There is the Anker 737 Power Bank which is a 24,000mAh 3-Port Portable Charger. The maximum charging speed is an incredible 140W for both output and input, and it supports PPS charging for devices from brands like Samsung.
Then, US buyers have a wider range of options which include two power strips, the 615 Power Strip, which is 65W with a single passthrough socket or the 727 Charging Station, which has 2 AC outlets, 2 USB-C ports and 2 USB-A ports and a max output of 100W.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USB C Plug, Anker 120W GaN Charger, PPS 3-Port Fast Compact... |
£79.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Buy it directly from Anker
What is GaNPrime?
GaNPrime is a proprietary marketing term used by Anker. It is just a GaN charger, but it also uses the various technologies Anker has developed.
This includes:
- Green Tech: Through Anker’s innovative application of GaN technology, GaNPrime chargers are smaller and consume less energy compared to silicone-based chargers2.
- PowerIQ 4.0: When charging multiple devices at once, PowerIQ 4.0 intelligently detects the power needs of each connected device, automatically adjusting power distribution to reduce overall charging time by up to 1 hour.
- ActiveShield 2.0: Intelligently monitors temperature and adjusts power output to prevent overheating and safeguard connected devices. Compared to previous generations, ActiveShield 2.0 has an increased temperature detection frequency of 76%.
Anker 737 Design and Build
GaN chargers are typically smaller and run cooler than the older silicon style. However, I wouldn’t describe this as tiny. I think once you get to this level of power output and USB ports, brands are going to struggle to make anything very small.
The charger is quite tall, and this avoids it taking up the space of any adjoining sockets. In the US, this can be problematic due to the stupid 2-pin system, it can make chargers top heavy and easily knocked out. Anker has countered this problem by including a silicone stabilizer with suction cups on the bottom.
Anker 737 In Use Charging Speeds
Devices I tested this with:
While the Realme can draw 150W, this requires a proprietary charging system which is not compatible with the Anker 737 or any other third-party chargers.
None of the other devices can actually pull 100W, so my testing is somewhat limited.
For the cable, I used the Ugreen 100W USB-C cable that was provided with the Ugreen Nexode 200W, and I also had a Spigen 100W cable to double-check things with.
Even though I couldn’t test the single port peak power, I did charge two laptops at once. In this scenario, both laptops appeared to draw a bit over 55W consistently. Not quite 120W, but charge rates vary depending on usage, and it definitely exceeds the 100W that competing brands are capable of.
Phone charge speeds are less impressive, but this is a limitation of the phone. I managed 18W with both the Realme and Red Magic. The INIU Power Bank also hit 18W.
Anker list the output options as:
- One-Port Charging:
- USB-C 1/USB-C 2: 100W Max
- USB-A: 22.5W Max
- Two-Port Charging
- USB-C 1 + USB-C 2: 120W Max
- USB-C 1 + USB-A: 120W Max
- USB-C 2 + USB-A: 24W Max
- Three-Port Charging
- USB-C 1 + USB-C 2 + USB-A: 120W Max
USB-C 1 is the top port, and USB-C 2 is the middle port.
Price and Alternative Options
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| USB C Plug, Anker 120W GaN Charger, PPS 3-Port Fast Compact... |
£79.99 | Buy on Amazon | |
| UGREEN USB C Charger 100W MacBook Pro Charger Nexode 4-Port... |
£59.99 | Buy on Amazon |
The Anker 737 GaNPrime Charger is currently £90 on Amazon. There is not much like-for-like competition out there, the 100W Ugreen Nexode is the best alternative, and it is only a tenner less.
Buy it directly from Anker
If you can live with 65W (which is enough for most small laptops), the Anker 735 is a bit more wallet-friendly at £55. You also have the older Anker 735 Nano II 65W, which is £55 but with a 15% voucher available on the page.
The Ugreen Nexode 100W in wall charge is the closest competition. This is approximately £80 on Amazon. It has a lower rating of 100W, but it has 3 USB-C ports and matches the 100W output on a single port. Charge support includes PD 3.0/2.0, QC 4.0+/3.0/2.0, PPS, AFC, SCP.
If you are happy with a random brand, then the RoRoSkin has the same spec as the Ugreen Nexode and costs just £50.
The Spigen ArcDock is worth considering. The charger by itself is roughly the same size as the Anker. However, it isn’t a socket-style charger and requires a finger of eight power cables. That has two USB-C ports with a max single port output of 100W, then two USB-A ports.
Overall
I have always been a big fan of high-power multi-port power delivery plugs. It just makes life easier, being able to charge multiple devices at once and not worrying about things like laptop chargers.
The Anker 737 GaNPrime charger is an excellent charger for anyone with demanding requirements. The 100W peak output should be more than enough for anyone, and it has enough headroom to comfortable charge a powerful laptop and phone at the same time.
Depending on how you plan to use it, it may be a touch large. I’d say this is pushing the limits of what I am willing to carry in my laptop bag, but it is still relatively petite, considering it can do 120W and has 3 ports.
There is not much competition out there. Therefore pricing is OK, it is a tenner more than the 100W Ugreen Nexode. You can get better value for money from the random Chinese brands you see on Amazon; whether you should trust the quality is another question.
Anker 737 GaNPrime Charger Review Rating
Summary
The Anker 737 GaNPrime charger is an excellent charger for anyone with demanding requirements. The 100W peak output should be more than enough for anyone, and it has enough headroom to comfortable charge a powerful laptop and phone at the same time.
Overall
80%-
Overall - 80%80%
Pros
- 120W output can comfortably charge two laptops at once
Cons
- It might be a bit too big for travel
I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.
Last update on 2024-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
