The words on the box, explained

The power a USB-C cable is certified to carry. 60W covers phones and tablets. 240W is needed for the highest laptop charging levels. Certified cables show the rating in their USB-IF logo.

A USB PD mode where the device can ask the charger for in-between voltages from 15V upwards. Apple asks for a 60W-capable USB PD 3.1 adapter with AVS for iPhone 18 Pro’s fastest wired charging.

Source: USB-IF – USB Charger (USB Power Delivery) · Apple (UK) – iPhone 18 Pro technical specifications

The British Standard for the UK three-pin plug. OPSS safety reports have flagged chargers whose plug pins don’t meet it.

Source: GOV.UK (OPSS) – Product Safety Report: Counterfeit “Apple” branded USB-C Power Adapter

A third-party (Synaptics) technology some docks use to run extra displays. On a Mac it needs Synaptics’ DisplayLink Manager software.

Source: Synaptics – DisplayLink macOS software

Apple’s network for locating devices and compatible third-party items. Accessory makers join through the MFi Program, and you add third-party items in the Find My app.

Source: Apple Developer – Find My network

Gallium nitride: a semiconductor material that many makers use in compact chargers and name on the box. The label alone doesn’t tell you a charger’s wattage, port layout or quality, so check those (and the seller) instead.

Apple’s earlier connector, used on iPhone 14 and earlier, some older iPads and older AirPods cases. Apple’s USB-C to Lightning Adapter connects Lightning accessories to USB-C devices.

Apple’s magnetic wireless charging and accessory system for iPhone 12 and later (except iPhone 16e). Apple rates the newest iPhones at up to 25W with a 30W or higher adapter.

Source: Apple Support – How to use your MagSafe Charger with iPhone

The magnetic charging port on MacBook Air (2022 and later) and 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro (2021 and later). It doesn’t work with older MagSafe chargers.

Source: Apple Support – Charge your Mac laptop computer

Apple’s licensing programme for accessories that use Apple technology to connect electronically, such as Lightning, the Apple Watch charger module and Find My. Shown on packaging as “Made for iPhone” and similar. USB-C chargers aren’t part of it.

Source: Apple – MFi Program FAQs

A hub or dock that charges your laptop through the same cable. The figure that matters is the wattage that actually reaches the laptop, not the hub’s input.

The open wireless-charging standard from the Wireless Power Consortium. Apple says many Qi chargers charge iPhone 8 and later at up to 7.5W.

Source: Apple Support – How to charge your iPhone wirelessly

The 2023 version of Qi with magnetic alignment (the Magnetic Power Profile), charging at 15W.

Source: Wireless Power Consortium – Qi wireless charging

The Wireless Power Consortium’s name for Qi v2.2.1, launched in July 2025, which raises magnetic wireless charging to 25W. Apple’s spec pages describe this as “Qi2 wireless charging up to 25W”.

Source: Wireless Power Consortium – Qi2 25W news release (PDF)

Intel’s high-speed connection over the USB-C plug. Thunderbolt 3 and 4 run at 40Gb/s. Thunderbolt 5 runs at 80Gb/s, and up to 120Gb/s in one direction with Bandwidth Boost. Certified Thunderbolt cables and devices must meet higher minimum standards.

Source: Intel – Thunderbolt technology overview

Apple’s name for the ports on many earlier Apple-silicon Macs and on iPad Pro (M4 and M5). They accept both Thunderbolt and USB-C cables.

Marks showing the maker declares the product meets the relevant UK or EU rules. GOV.UK says Great Britain continues to recognise CE alongside or instead of UKCA. They’re self-declarations, not independent tests.

Source: GOV.UK – Placing UKCA or CE marked products on the market in Great Britain

Data at up to 480Mb/s. Charge cables, including Apple’s own, usually run at this speed. It’s fine for charging and keyboards, but slow for big files.

USB-IF’s plain-English names for the speeds previously called USB 3.2 Gen 1, Gen 2 and Gen 2x2. Apple calls 10Gb/s ports “USB 3”.

Source: USB-IF – USB 3.2

The charging standard that lets a USB-C charger and device agree a voltage and power level. Up to 100W originally, and up to 240W since USB PD 3.1.

Source: USB-IF – USB Charger (USB Power Delivery)

The small, reversible oval connector used by current iPhones, iPads, Macs and many accessories. It’s only the shape of the plug. It says nothing about data speed or charging power.

Source: USB-IF – USB Type-C language guidelines (PDF)

A USB standard based on Thunderbolt technology, running at 40Gb/s. Version 2.0 goes up to 80Gb/s. It works with USB 3.2, USB 2.0 and Thunderbolt 3 devices at the best speed both ends support.

Source: USB-IF – USB4