Aug 08, 2023 10:45:00

Apple reportedly obliging Apple Watch accessory makers to support fast charging in the second half of 2023

From

the Apple Watch Series 7 that appeared in 2021, a high-speed charging function that is up to 33% faster than before has been added. Apple is reportedly planning to require third-party accessories to support this fast charging.

Apple Watch accessory makers prepare for charger changes
https://appleinsider.com/articles/23/08/07/apple-watch-accessory-makers-have-to-switch-to-newer-costlier-fast-charging-module

Apple will require Apple Watch accessory makers to support fast charging later this year - 9to5Mac
https://9to5mac.com/2023/08/07/apple-watch-fast-charging-accessories/

Apple has introduced the Made for iPhone/iPad/iPod touch (MFi) licensing program as a program to certify that third-party accessories for Apple devices meet Apple's performance standards. This MFi has been extended to other Apple devices, and there is a licensing program called 'Made for Apple Watch' for accessories for Apple Watch.

As part of this Made for Apple Watch licensing program, Apple requires accessory makers to use 'official charging pack modules provided by Apple.' However, at the time of writing the article, accessory manufacturers can use either a charging pack module that supports high-speed charging or an old charging pack module that does not support high-speed charging.

According to information independently obtained from Apple-related media AppleInsider from accessory makers, Apple plans to abolish the option for ``old charging pack modules that do not support fast charging'' in the second half of 2023. The deadline for accessory makers to submit plans to use ``old charging pack modules that do not support fast charging'' to Apple is set on August 31, and orders for the module will be discontinued on September 30.

In July 2021, Bloomberg reported that there was a shortage of charging pack modules that support Apple Watch's fast charging, but the provision of ``old charging pack modules that are not compatible with fast charging'' will be discontinued. , ``Apple seems to have solved the problem of insufficient supply of charging pack modules that support fast charging,'' Apple-related media 9to5Mac points out.

One potential problem is that for MFi accessory makers, the unit price of 'charging pack modules that support fast charging' is high. By requiring accessory makers to use ``charging pack modules that support high-speed charging,'' third-party Apple Watch chargers are likely to be forced to raise prices.

On the other hand, at the time of writing the article, only three models, Apple Watch Series 7, Apple Watch Series 8, and Apple Watch Ultra, support high-speed charging. You can check the comparison of the charging speed of Apple Watch Series 7 that actually supports high-speed charging and Apple Watch SE that does not support it in the following article.

What is your honest impression of actually using the “Apple Watch Series 7”? -GIGAZINE

There are many chargers for Apple Watch, but only a few of them are compatible with high-speed charging. 9to5Mac points out that it does not support fast charging.