If you’ve preordered a shiny new Apple Watch Series 7, be sure to use the charging cable it ships with to enjoy its faster charging speeds.
Apple’s newest wearable charges 33% faster than its predecessors. But you won’t get the benefits of that upgrade if you charge it using an older Apple Watch charger (or a power adapter that isn’t beefy enough).
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Apple Watch Series 7 requires new cable for faster charging
Although Apple Watch 7’s charging cable looks exactly the same as every other Apple Watch charger, it’s actually a little different on the inside, it seems. It also has a new name: Apple Watch Magnetic Fast Charger.
This new cable, which ships with Apple Watch 7 — or can be purchased from Apple for $29 if you need a replacement — is required if you want to enjoy the faster charging speeds available on the newest model.
You will also need a suitable USB-C power adapter. Apple obviously recommends its own 20W plug, priced at $19, but a third-party alternative will work just fine — so long as it delivers at least 20W of power.
If you use your old Apple Watch charger or a slower power adapter, then, you won’t notice any improvement in charging speeds on your new Apple Watch. Bear that in mind when you unbox your upgrade on Friday.
Bag a 20W power adapter
If you don’t already own a 20W USB-C power adapter, we recommend checking out SwitchEasy’s neat little PowerBuddy, which is currently on sale for just $15.99 (down from $19.99) through the Cult of Mac Store.
Alternatively, there are plenty of great options on Amazon, like this one from Ugreen that’s currently just $9.99, and this two-pack from Anker that’s $23.99.
