Apple Mandates Faster Charging Modules for Third-Party Apple Watch Accessories

Apple is throwing its weight around again, this time mandating that third-party Apple Watch chargers use official fast charging modules. You know what that means – get ready for more expensive add-ons.

Apple Watch Ultra / Series 8 Review : A Fitness Fanatic’s Dream Come True

Ever since the Watch Series 7 last year, Apple Watches have supported speedy charging. Apple brags their official charger can go from 0 to 80% battery in around 45 minutes. Pretty nifty right? Well, turns out that fast charging requires a proprietary Apple protocol.

So third-parties had two choices: use the older, slower charging modules or pony up for Apple’s new fast charging modules. And of course Apple didn’t make those new modules available at first.

Apple Watch

But now Apple is requiring all third-party manufacturers to only use the fast charging modules starting August 31. No more slow charging modules allowed!

An insider says this mandate is “mandatory” and Apple will only sell the new C962 fast charging modules after that date, and you know they’re gonna jack up the price on those things.

So get ready for more expensive Apple Watch charging pads and docks, as if accessories weren’t pricey enough already! Is Apple nudging out third-parties to push people to their overpriced official original chargers?

EDITOR PICKED: Apple WatchOS 10 Experience: Better Running Apple watch series 8 and Watch Ultra

Latest

Apple Siri Chief Calls AI Delays “Embarrassing” in Candid Internal Meeting

Apple's ambitious plans for Siri have encountered significant hurdles,...

Apple Mac Studio M3 Ultra vs. M4 Max: Why the Company Skipped the M4 Ultra Chip

Apple's latest Mac Studio launch has left tech enthusiasts...

Redmi K80 Breaks the Mold: Slimmer Design, Massive Battery, and Premium Features

For years, Redmi's approach to its K series lineup...

Xiaomi Modular Optical System: Revolutionary Smartphone Photography with Detachable Lens

Xiaomi's latest innovation might just redefine what we expect...

Newsletter

Don't miss

Apple Siri Chief Calls AI Delays “Embarrassing” in Candid Internal Meeting

Apple's ambitious plans for Siri have encountered significant hurdles,...

Apple Mac Studio M3 Ultra vs. M4 Max: Why the Company Skipped the M4 Ultra Chip

Apple's latest Mac Studio launch has left tech enthusiasts...

Redmi K80 Breaks the Mold: Slimmer Design, Massive Battery, and Premium Features

For years, Redmi's approach to its K series lineup...

Xiaomi Modular Optical System: Revolutionary Smartphone Photography with Detachable Lens

Xiaomi's latest innovation might just redefine what we expect...

Microsoft Majorana 1 Quantum Chip: Unlocking Stable Qubits for Tomorrow Tech

In an industry where progress is often measured in...
Max Hyland
Max Hyland
Long form contributor Apple iPhone, iPad, watch reviews, opinion, editorial

Apple Siri Chief Calls AI Delays “Embarrassing” in Candid Internal Meeting

Apple's ambitious plans for Siri have encountered significant hurdles, according to candid comments from a top executive. Robby Walker, who leads Siri development and...

Apple Mac Studio M3 Ultra vs. M4 Max: Why the Company Skipped the M4 Ultra Chip

Apple's latest Mac Studio launch has left tech enthusiasts scratching their heads. The company's decision to pair the M4 Max alongside the older M3...

Redmi K80 Breaks the Mold: Slimmer Design, Massive Battery, and Premium Features

For years, Redmi's approach to its K series lineup was predictable: release a standard model and a Pro variant with essentially identical physical dimensions...