GaN AC/DC Adapters Going Mainstream in Consumer Electronics

The shift from silicon transistors has yielded more powerful and efficient but smaller power adapters

AC/DC adapters that use GaN-based transistors are gaining traction, especially in consumer electronics products. They offer greater charging power and switching efficiency than conventional types with transistors that have a silicon base, besides having a more compact construction consistent with paired devices.

Because of these design benefits, GaN AC/DC adapters for consumer electronics will experience a market surge. Yole Développment projects that this category will reach $672 million by 2026 from $29 million in 2020, skyrocketing at a CAGR of 69 percent.

This outlook has already attracted the attention of many manufacturers, including in China, which is the world's largest production base for AC/DC adapters. There has been an increase in demand domestically and overseas in the past three years, according to companies interviewed by Global Sources.

As such, investments are coming in. Shanxi Ketong allocated $138 million for its two-phase GaN AC/DC adapter project in late 2021. This involved the construction of a factory with an area of 20,000sqm. The first phase is scheduled to start mass production in the coming months.

Other Chinese suppliers will continue to boost their output in the months ahead and through 2024. Export-oriented Shenzhen Ricomm Technology Co. Ltd plans to raise volume produced and exported by 30 and 10 percent in the next two years. GaN units currently account for 80 percent of its total AC/DC adapter shipments.

In addition to consumer electronics, Chinese manufacturers hope to extend their market coverage to electric vehicles, servers, solar power systems and energy storage applications.

China-made GaN AC/DC adapters

New releases of GaN AC/DC adapters in China tend toward small size, high power density and fast charging.

Anker, a major Chinese supplier in the GaN category, has recently presented new products including the model 150W 3C 1A that can charge two notebook PCs simultaneously, a 140W unit compatible with the latest PD 3.1 laptops, and a 120W model suitable for laptops and smartphones. All three are 30 smaller than ordinary power adapters for these applications, with the 120W and 150W versions delivering efficiency performance up to 95 percent.

UGREEN, meanwhile, is the first to introduce 200W GaN AC/DC adapters in China. These units, with 4C 2A ports, support PD 2.0 and 3.0, QC 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0, AFC, PPS, SCP, BC 1.2 for fast charging various brands of smartphones, tablets, gaming devices and laptops.

Mainstream selection

The current range of GaN AC/DC adapters from Chinese companies is available in versions with 5 to 20V output voltage, 3 to 5A output current, 55 to 120W output power, 0.88 to 1.29W/cm power density and 110 to 240V, 50/60Hz input. These units have multiple USB Type-A and Type-C ports supporting PD 2.0 and 3.0, and QC 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 protocols.

Customization is widely practiced and accounts for 20 to 50 percent of shipments.

Most manufacturers make sure their products meet domestic and international safety standards such as 3C or CC, CE, RoHS and UL. To ensure this, they usually use chips from foreign providers, including Navitas and ON Semiconductor, but source rectifiers, passive components, PCBs and cases from Chinese companies.

Chip costs rose in the past 12 months, but the majority of Chinese suppliers kept their prices unchanged. Some increased their quotes by 5 to as much as 10 percent.

In the coming months, costs could become more stable, said companies interviewed by Global Sources. In any case, GaN AC/DC adapter prices are likely to stay the same or possibly drop by 5 percent as more manufacturers venture into the line and intensify competition.

China’s manufacturing pool

There are about 200 companies producing GaN AC/DC adapters in China, the majority of which are homegrown operations. In addition to Anker and UGREEN, major Chinese players include Baseus, Pisen, Xiaomi and Nubia.

More than half of these enterprises are found in Guangdong, specifically in Shenzhen, Dongguan, Zhongshan and Guangzhou. Others are in major cities such as Suzhou, Changzhou and Ningbo, and in parts of Sichuan, Shaanxi and Hubei.

For most Chinese suppliers, the GaN category represents 20 to 50 percent of total shipments. This share is expected to increase with domestic and overseas demand.

The products in this gallery have been handpicked by our China-based market analyst for representing current trends in GaN AC/DC adapters from China makers.