Anker launches a compact 45W GaN charger in China featuring a smart display, device recognition, firmware updates, and a protective mode, marking a shift towards software-led charging solutions.
Anker has introduced a new 45W wall charger in China that pushes the company further into software-led charging rather than treating the plug as a simple power brick. The Smart+ Charger is now listed on JD.com at 149 yuan, or about $22, and Anker is pitching it around support for newer Apple hardware, particularly the iPhone 17 range, while still using a compact single-port GaN design.
What makes the launch more notable is that this does not appear to be a completely new product line. Notebookcheck reported that the Smart+ model is an updated version of the earlier Nano Charger with smart display and folding pins, and that both sit under the A121D model number. That suggests Anker is refining an existing charger family rather than starting again. The same report said the older Nano variant has already been sold in the US, while the release of the Smart+ version outside China remains unconfirmed.
The hardware itself is small even by current GaN standards. Reporting from ixbt.com and Surabaya Inside puts the charger at 34 x 35.5 x 40mm and 75g. The front face contains a colour display that shows live charging information, including output, battery level and charging progress. Qoo Media said the screen can be rotated by holding a control button for two seconds, a practical detail for sockets mounted sideways or behind furniture. Gizmochina added that users can also set the display to switch off automatically after one or five minutes. The folding pins lock at 90-degree and 180-degree positions, a design choice that several outlets highlighted as useful for travel and tight spaces.
Anker is also using the Smart+ label to emphasise device recognition. According to Gizmochina, ixbt.com and Qoo Media, the charger supports Apple’s AVS dynamic fast-charging protocol and can identify iPhone 15, iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 models, then apply a charging curve tailored to each one. Firmware can also be updated over the air through the Anker app, which the company presents as a way to maintain compatibility with future hardware. Notebookcheck went further, saying Anker claims an iPhone 17 can reach 50 per cent charge in roughly 20 minutes, though that remains a manufacturer figure rather than an independently verified result.
The product’s other main selling point is a switch between speed and battery care. Qoo Media reported that the physical button toggles between Smart Fast Charging and Device Protection Mode, with the latter aimed at longer sessions such as overnight charging. Anker says using that gentler mode for half of all charging sessions can cut battery degradation by around 20 per cent over time. Notebookcheck noted, however, that the company has not explained how that figure was calculated. Thermal control is handled by ActiveShield 5.0, and both Gizmochina and Notebookcheck said the charger carries TÜV Rheinland low-temperature certification.
Outside Apple devices, the charger still behaves like a standard 45W USB-C adapter. Qoo Media said it is intended to work with iPads, MacBook Air laptops, Android handsets, Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck systems. Anker’s own support documentation for the A121D charger family lists 5V/3A, 9V/3A, 15V/3A and 20V/2.25A output profiles, with a 45W maximum, alongside PPS ranges of 5V-11V/5A, 4.5V-21V/2.25A and 5V-16V/3A. The same official page lists a universal 100-240V input, which reinforces the likelihood that the Smart+ is based on the same electrical platform as the earlier Nano model.
Commercially, Anker appears to be keeping the launch tightly focused on China for now. Gizmochina said the charger is already on JD.com, while Notebookcheck pointed to additional Chinese retail availability through Youzan. The charger comes in white, light blue, black and burgundy. If it does reach Western markets in a similar form, price will be one point to watch: Notebookcheck said the earlier US-sold Nano Charger version is currently offered at $25.99, making the new China launch slightly cheaper on paper even before any local taxes or distribution costs are added.
The broader significance is that Anker is trying to make the charger itself part of the charging experience, with a display, device recognition, firmware updates and a user-selectable protection mode. That is a more ambitious pitch than raw wattage alone. As of Saturday 5 September 2026, though, the company has only been reported as selling the Smart+ model in China, and there is still no clear timetable for a wider release.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
