Need a compact and potent MagSafe charging station to replace a slow 3-in-1? Coming out just after iPhone 15’s release, Ugreen’s unusual new Nexode 100W GaN Charging Station could fit the bill, charging up to four devices at once.
Rolled out Thursday, the speedy charger takes up a small space by putting a MagSafe platform for iPhone that tilts up on top and USB-C and USB-A ports in the squat body. The company sent me one to try.
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Ugreen Nexode 100W GaN Charging Station
Ugreen Nexode 100W GaN Charging Station combines a tilting, 15-watt Magsafe wireless charging platform and 100W gallium nitride (GaN) charging through two USB-C ports and one USB-A port. And it’s out just in time for your new iPhone 15 series smartphone!
It’s an unusual charger with a clever design. And it could be someone’s main charging station if they don’t have to juice up too many devices at once.
It could replace a 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 charger on the nightstand or by the front door, and it should take up less space because the MagSafe charging platform for iPhone doesn’t stick up on a separate arm, it tilts up off the base.
When Ugreen released the compact new charger, it pushed it as a portable device. It’s true that it’s more portable than many charging stations, but it will add noticeable weight to your bag.
The device carries the “Made for” certification for iPhone’s MagSafe phones, meaning iPhone 12 through 14 series, as well as the new iPhone 15 series, including the Pro models.
Cool flip-up MagSafe charging platform
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
When I unboxed the charger, I was struck by how compact it was, yet heavy and solid. It feels like good build quality. In the box I found the charger, a power cable for it and a user manual. Ugreen doesn’t provide a device-charging cable like it did for the 300W beast I recently reviewed, but that’s OK. I have tons of them.
The most unusual aspect of the charger is its top. It’s a little MagSafe platform that sits flush to the top of the squat device, and you can tilt it up. You could rest your iPhone on it flat, tilt it up a little bit or make it almost vertical. I found it worked fine with the handset in both portrait (vertical) and landscape (horizontal) modes.
I stuck my iPhone 13 Pro on there easily, with or without its leather MagSafe case. It took the handset from a 49% charge to 69% in 20 minutes, to 80% in 40 minutes and to 95% in an hour and 15 minutes. I didn’t use the phone while it was charging.
No matter how many devices are plugged into the charger, the MagSafe platform always delivers 15W of power (which is great if you’re used to the 7.5W many third-party magnetic chargers are limited to for iPhone charging).
2 USB-C ports and 1 USB-A port
Photo: Ugreen
The other two charging elements are two USB-C ports and one USB-A port, all of which push more juice than the MagSafe platform for iPhone. The USB-C slots work well for laptops and tablets while the USB-A slot suits smaller devices like smartphones and earbuds charging cases.
The C1 and C2 USB-C ports deliver up to 100W of charging power and USB-A port pushes up to 22.5. It’s “up to” because power distribution varies depending upon how many devices are plugged into the charger.
Fully occupied by four hungry devices, it does 15W on the platform plus 45W (C1), 25W (C2) and 10W (USB-A). You can see the power distribution in the photos.
I found the C1 USB-C port could charge my iPad Air (5th generation) from 30% to 85% in 61 minutes. It took 10 minutes for it to reach 40% and 28 minutes for it to hit 60%. I didn’t use the iPad while it was charging.
Features:
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
- 15W wireless fast charging for MagSafe iPhones
- Adjustable viewing angle for iPhones
- 100W max USB-C output for charging laptops and tablets
- 2 USB-C ports and 1 USB-A port
- GaN technology
- Thermal Guard safe charging
I found the Ugreen 100W 2-in-1 GaN Desktop Charger to be a useful, handy multidevice charger. Its compact footprint and its tilting MagSafe platform set it apart.
If Ugreen really wants to impress customers, it would include at least one braided device-charging cable with the charger. And while three charging ports are helpful, another one or two would be even more so. I could see the company releasing a higher-wattage version of this with a couple more ports.
You can pick up the charger on Amazon for $179.99 $139.99. It’s on sale.
Where to buy: Amazon
Ugreen provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out other in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.
★★★★☆
This 4-in-1 USB-C charging stand features a 15W MagSafe platform for iPhone and gallium nitride (GaN) power for devices like MacBooks and iPads.
