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| The Ugreen X740 45W GaN charger sports an angled smart display. |
The compact GaN charger wars just got a whole lot more interesting. For months, Anker has been basking in the glow of its innovative Nano Charger (45W, Smart Display, 180° Foldable) – a tiny powerhouse that knows exactly what device you plugged in and shows you how fast it’s charging. But if you’ve been holding off on pulling the trigger, your patience might just pay off.
Ugreen, Anker’s friendly but fierce rival in the charging accessories space, has officially unveiled its own take on the intelligent 45W compact charger. And while the two products share a lot of DNA on paper, Ugreen is making a strong case for itself with a sleeker, angled design and a price that undercuts Anker by more than half.
Meet the Ugreen X740: More Than Just a Clone
The new Ugreen 45W USB-C GaN Fast Charger (model X740) isn’t trying to hide its inspiration – and that’s not a bad thing. Like the Anker Nano, it uses gallium nitride (GaN) technology to pack serious power into a tiny frame. But where Anker went for a simple, blocky silhouette, Ugreen has added a distinctive angled face, making the smart display much easier to read when the charger is plugged into a low wall socket or behind furniture.
The real headline here is intelligence. The X740 can automatically recognize connected Apple devices – whether it’s an iPhone, iPad, or MacBook – and adjust its power delivery for safer, faster charging. This is the same crowd-pleasing feature we first saw on Anker’s 45W Nano, and now Ugreen is bringing it to a much more budget-friendly audience.
Blazing Fast Charging for the Latest iPhones
Ugreen claims the X740 can juice up most modern smartphones in a hurry. For instance, it will charge the latest iPhone 17 Pro to 50% in roughly 20 minutes. (You can read the full performance breakdown of that device in Notebookcheck’s detailed iPhone 17 Pro review – the short version: it’s a battery beast that benefits from this kind of speed.)
That 45W output is a sweet spot for travelers and minimalists. It’s more than enough for a phone or tablet, but it can also trickle-charge a MacBook Air or similarly sized laptop in a pinch. Thanks to the foldable prongs, it slips easily into a pocket or laptop sleeve.
Smart Display That Rotates (Yes, Really)
One clever touch that might actually give Anker a run for its money is the angled smart display. Not only does the screen show real-time charging information – wattage, voltage, and charging status – but the X740 can also rotate the on-screen information depending on how you plug it into the outlet. If the outlet is sideways (common in older homes or garages), the display flips to stay upright and readable. It’s a small detail, but it shows Ugreen thought about real-world usability.
In terms of size, the X740 weighs 96g and measures 44 × 40 × 37.92 mm. That does make it slightly heavier than Anker’s 75g alternative, but the difference is negligible when you’re already carrying a laptop or tablet. The build quality feels dense and premium – typical for Ugreen’s higher-end line.
The Price Is the Real Story
Here’s where things get really interesting. Anker’s 45W Nano charger currently sells for $39.99 in the US. It’s a great product, but it’s not cheap for a single-port charger.
Ugreen, on the other hand, has listed the X740 in China for the equivalent of roughly $18. And yes, that’s the official global launch price when it goes on sale May 26. If you want to grab one as soon as it drops, you can already find early listings on Amazon – check the latest price and availability here.
At that price, Ugreen isn’t just competing – it’s disrupting. You’re getting essentially the same core features (45W GaN, device recognition, smart display, foldable plug) for less than half the cost. Unless Anker responds with a significant price cut, this feels like a clear value king.
How Does the Hardware Hold Up?
While we haven’t seen full third-party stress tests yet, the internal components appear solid. The X740 uses a Lulian power management solution, a supplier known for reliable GaN controller chips. That’s a good sign for efficiency and heat management – two areas where cheaper chargers often fail. Early hands-on impressions from Chinese tech reviewers praise the cool-to-the-touch operation even when pulling 45W continuously for 30 minutes.
Final Verdict: Should You Wait for the X740?
If you need a charger today, the Anker Nano is still a fantastic choice. But if you can wait a few weeks, the Ugreen X740 looks like the smarter buy for almost any shopper. You’re getting a more readable angled display, rotating UI, and the same intelligent device recognition – all for 40.
Mark your calendar for May 26. That’s when the Ugreen 45W USB-C GaN Fast Charger officially goes on sale globally. And at that price, it might just become the new default recommendation for iPhone 17 Pro owners, frequent travelers, or anyone tired of lugging around bulky laptop bricks.
Ugreen took direct aim at Anker’s crown jewel – and they might have actually landed the first punch.
Disclosure: This article contains an Amazon affiliate link. If you make a purchase through that link, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
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| The Ugreen X740 45W GaN charger can identify your iPhone or MacBook Air |