Ugreen launched what it calls the world’s most powerful gallium nitride (GaN) charger Monday — the Ugreen Nexode 500W 6-Port GaN Desktop Fast Charger. It promises to change how Apple users and other tech users power their devices.
At 500 watts, the $249.99 charger delivers unprecedented charging capacity through five USB-C ports and one USB-A port. That could eliminate the need for multiple adapters cluttering your workspace.
Ugreen Nexode 500W 6-Port GaN Desktop Fast Charger
This robust charger features five 6 USB-C and one USB-A port. You can get 500 watts of power overall, including 240W from a single port. Includes smart temperature control, and space-saving design.
- Big-time power, including 240W from a single port
- Plenty of USB-C ports
- Too big to be very portable
For Apple users juggling multiple devices, the Nexode 500W desktop charger seems like a leap forward in charging convenience. The charger can simultaneously power up to six devices, including multiple MacBooks, iPads, iPhones and other Apple accessories from a single compact unit. One of the USB-C ports delivers up to 240W of power, which Ugreen says can charge a 16-inch MacBook Pro from zero to 60 percent in just 30 minutes — matching Apple’s fastest charging speeds.
Designed for Apple’s ecosystem and beyond
The charger’s versatility shines when considering Apple’s diverse product lineup. Users can charge their MacBook Pro or MacBook Air at full speed while simultaneously powering an iPad Pro, iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods and even a sixth device through the USB-A port. This makes it particularly valuable for creative professionals who rely on multiple Apple devices throughout their workflow, from video editors working with MacBook Pros and iPads to photographers managing various devices during shoots.
Ugreen’s forward-thinking approach addresses Apple’s trajectory toward higher-wattage charging. While few current Apple devices can fully utilize the 240W maximum output, the company is positioning itself for future MacBook models that may require even more power. This aligns with Apple’s history of gradually increasing charging speeds across its product lines.
Advanced technology meets practical design
Photo: Ugreen
The Nexode 500W incorporates six integrated GaN chips that achieve a 95% energy conversion rate, according to Ugreen. That significantly reduces heat generation and energy waste compared to traditional silicon-based chargers, Ugreen said. That sort of efficiency is crucial for Apple users who often charge expensive devices and want to ensure long-term battery health.
Safety features include multi-channel temperature sensors that monitor heat levels in real-time, preventing overheating during extended charging sessions. This is particularly important for professionals who may leave their MacBooks plugged in throughout long work sessions.
Smart power management for mixed device charging
The charger’s intelligent power distribution automatically adjusts wattage based on connected devices’ needs. When you plug in a MacBook Pro requiring high power alongside an iPhone needing less juice, the system prioritizes the laptop while maintaining optimal charging speeds for the phone — all without manual intervention.
Compatibility extends beyond Apple’s ecosystem, supporting PD 3.1/3.0/2.0, Quick Charge 3.0 and Apple’s 5V/2.4A protocol, ensuring it works with most devices.
You can buy Ugreen Nexode 500W 6-Port GaN Desktop Fast Charger for $249.99 through Amazon and Ugreen’s website.
This robust charger features five 6 USB-C and one USB-A port. You can get 500 watts of power overall, including 240W from a single port. Includes smart temperature control, and space-saving design.
- Big-time power, including 240W from a single port
- Plenty of USB-C ports
- Too big to be very portable
David Snow, an expert on Apple hardware and software, writes on a variety of technological and cultural topics for Cult of Mac. They include Apple news, technology buying guides, and features about computer setups and Apple TV shows and movies.
With 30 years of experience covering technology and other subjects, he has written and edited for numerous print and online publications, including CMP Media, TechTV.com, CNET, Wired News, Red Herring magazine, Law.com, The National Law Journal and Law Technology News magazine. Among other roles, he served as executive editor of the Law.com network of websites and editorial director, technology, for ALM Media.
Snow graduated with a B.A. from Syracuse University with majors in magazine journalism and psychology. While there, he worked as a reporter for The Daily Orange newspaper and associate editor of Equal Time magazine.
Founder of the blog At the Waterline, he can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) via @atthewaterline and on Mastodon via @dsnow.
