Apple USB-C 20W Power Adapter

A fast, compact charger for iPhone, iPad and AirPods

The Apple USB-C 20W Power Adapter is the charger most iPhone owners need but no longer get in the box. Apple stopped including a charger with new iPhones, so if you have just bought an iPhone, or your old charger has given up, this is the genuine Apple replacement. It fast charges recent iPhones, charges iPads and AirPods, and is small enough to keep in a handbag or laptop bag.

It is part of our chargers range, along with cables and power banks for when you are away from a socket.

What the 20W adapter does well

Fast charging for iPhone

Apple says a 20W adapter can charge an iPhone 8 or later to about 50% in around 30 minutes. That is the figure that matters on a busy morning: plug in while you get ready and you leave with half a battery. Charging slows down as the battery fills, which is normal and protects the battery.

USB-C Power Delivery

The adapter uses USB Power Delivery, the open fast-charging standard built into iPhones, iPads and many other devices. That means it is not tied to Apple. Any phone, tablet, earbuds case or small gadget that charges over USB-C can use it, although some Android phones have their own faster charging systems that need their own charger to reach full speed.

Small and light

Apple describes the adapter as compact and portable. It is much smaller than a laptop charger, so it fits easily in a pocket, a handbag or the side pocket of a backpack. If you commute by matatu and charge at the office, it is easy to carry every day.

Works on Kenyan mains power

The adapter accepts 100 to 240V AC input at 50 to 60 Hz, so it handles normal mains power in Kenya and abroad. If you travel, you only need a plug adapter, not a voltage converter.

Genuine Apple quality

Cheap unbranded chargers are common in Nairobi, and some of them run hot or deliver unstable power. A genuine Apple adapter is built by Apple for its own devices, which gives you peace of mind when you charge an expensive phone overnight next to your bed.

Compatibility

Apple lists the 20W adapter as compatible with:

• iPhone 8 and later, including the iPhone 17, iPhone 17e, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max
• iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad and iPad mini models
• AirPods, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max
• Apple Watch and HomePod mini, with their own charging cables

The adapter has one USB-C port, and no cable comes in the box. iPhone 15 and later, recent iPads and the latest AirPods charge with a USB-C to USB-C cable. iPhone 14 and earlier need a USB-C to Lightning cable. Newer iPhones such as the iPhone 17 Pro can charge faster with a higher-wattage USB-C adapter, but 20W remains a fast, sensible everyday charger for them.

Setting it up

Plug the adapter into a wall socket, connect a USB-C cable, and plug the other end into your device. A charging symbol appears on your iPhone or iPad straight away. There is nothing to configure.

Who it suits

This adapter suits anyone who has bought an iPhone without a charger, families with several Apple devices who want one reliable charger, and offices that want a spare charger at reception or in the boardroom. It is less suited to charging a laptop, which needs much more power, or to people who want to charge two devices at once, because it has a single port.

How it compares

If you own a Samsung Galaxy phone, the Samsung 25W PD Adapter supports Samsung’s Super Fast Charging, which the Apple adapter does not. Since the adapter comes without a cable, pair it with the UGREEN USB-C to USB-C cable for iPhone 15 and later or a recent iPad. It also charges the Apple Pencil (USB-C) through a USB-C cable.

Full product details are on Apple’s official site.

Looking after it

Keep the adapter away from water and do not use it if the casing is cracked or the pins are bent. Unplug it from the wall during storms and when you leave home for a long time, because power surges after a blackout are a common cause of damaged chargers in Kenya. Pull it out by the body, not the cable, and avoid covering it with bedding or cushions while it charges, so it can stay cool.

Frequently asked questions

Does it come with a cable?

No. You need a USB-C to USB-C cable or a USB-C to Lightning cable, depending on your device.

Will it fast charge my iPhone?

Yes, on iPhone 8 and later. Apple says about 50% in around 30 minutes.

Can I charge my iPad with it?

Yes. It charges all current iPads.

Will it charge a Samsung phone?

Yes, over USB-C, but not at Samsung’s Super Fast Charging speed.

Can I leave my iPhone charging overnight?

Yes. iPhone manages its own charging and uses Optimised Battery Charging to reduce wear.

Can it charge a MacBook?

Apple’s compatibility list includes the MacBook Neo. Most other laptops need a more powerful charger.

Buying from Encom Digital

Everything we sell is genuine Apple. Prices on this page exclude VAT, and every order comes with a KRA-compliant VAT invoice, which your accounts team will need if you are buying for a company.

We offer same-day delivery within Nairobi and deliver to the rest of Kenya. You can pay by M-Pesa, card or bank transfer. If you are fitting out an office, a school or an NGO, ask us for bulk and corporate pricing.

Call or WhatsApp us on +254 714 962 072, email us, or visit us at Rehema House, 4th Floor, Standard Street, Nairobi, Monday to Saturday, 8AM to 6PM.