When you invest in the Apple system, you have to contend with the need for multiple ports when you are home and away. Ugreen's 4-in-1 100W GaN X Fast Charger can be used to charge older devices.
Gallium Nitride technology is popular with modern power adapters because it allows for better power efficiency that results in smaller product designs that are more suited for travel.
The US version of Ugreen's multi-port charger is more portable than the UK version, and I had the chance to test it out. It's a small brick that fits in the palm of your hand, and it comes with a two-pin A plug.
The UK model has more of a bulky shape with rounded corners, and the three-pin D plug isn't foldaway or retractable, making it harder to slip it neatly into a travel bag.
Both models feature a built-in Power-X power delivery system that can adjust the power output to protect a device's battery. The power distribution system allows the charger to adjust the power provided to each port based on what is plugged in. The top two ports are capable of delivering a maximum of 100W, while the third is capable of up to 22.5W, and the bottom port is capable of only 22.5W.
Ugreen claims that it can charge an iPhone 13 to 60% in 30 minutes or fully charge a 16-inch MacBook Pro in 1.5 hours, and thanks to the latest GaN chipset, it is three times faster than Apple's standard iPhone charger. The big caveat here is that they only apply when one device is plugged into the charger and in the relevant port for its power requirements.
The variable wattage of the different ports is explained by a graphic in Ugreen. If you have two devices connected to the first two (100W) ports, the top port outputs 65W and the second port only delivers 30W. The more devices you connect, the more the power output gets divvied up. If you want to prioritize a particular device for fast charging, you have to consider what port the first (100W) port tops out at.
The US and UK models don't have the max wattage marked on the individual ports, so I wasn't always sure which port was the right one to use to power my MacBook Pro, but it didn't take too long. It is better to accept that the more devices you charge, the longer it will take to reach full battery capacity.
The Over Temperature Protection system that takes five temperature readings every second for extra security is something that is good to know, but it is not obvious.
Ugreen could have made a larger unit with a fixed power output for several devices, but instead it chose a more compact brick with variable power distribution. If you want to fast charge a single power-hungry device like a MacBook Pro, then you should treat this as a solo charge.
Even if you sacrifice a fourth port for the sake of flexibility, the addition of a USB-A port is a welcome nod to the number of older devices still in use. The Ugreen 100W Charger is an accommodating, travel-friendly unit that is worth having on hand when you are away.
The Ugreen 100W Mulitport Charger can be ordered on Amazon US and Amazon UK websites.
MacRumors is an Amazon partner. We may receive a small payment when you click a link and make a purchase. Ugreen provided the chargers for this review. No other compensation was received.
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