Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup wasn’t the only news last week. The company also introduced a new accessory in the announcement, and it comes with a global first. The Apple 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max is the world’s first charger to support the USB PD 3.2 AVS protocol.
That support gives the charger some of the benefits of a full 60W adapter while keeping the design compact at 40W. AVS, or Adjustable Voltage Supply, allows more precise voltage control.
This means the charger can deliver power closer to a device’s ideal requirement, making the charging process faster and more efficient for phones and laptops.
Normally, batteries don’t charge at maximum input for the entire cycle. Instead, the voltage slows as the battery fills to protect safety and longevity. With AVS, the source can fine-tune its output, reducing wasted power and cutting down charging time.
However, this isn’t a full replacement for a 60W adapter. Apple’s 40W GaN charger can only sustain its peak 60W output for 18 minutes, as tested by a Reddit user. That makes it suitable for quickly charging an iPhone 17 but not for powering a MacBook Pro. This is why Apple brands it as a 40W charger “with 60W Max” instead of marketing it as a true 60W product.
To get Apple’s official fast-charging claim for iPhone 17 models, “up to 50 percent in 20 minutes,” you’ll need this $39 Dynamic Power Adapter. Otherwise, you may want to wait for third-party makers to release their own USB PD 3.2 AVS-compatible chargers.