Recently an image of what’s claimed to be Apple’s redesigned US 5W USB power adapter surfaced on Weibo (via Gizmobic). This alleged new design, isn’t actually that new to everyone though. Australia currently has a very similar USB power adapter in terms of shape and size…
As you can see in the images above and below, this possible redesign closely mimics the Australian adapter, but instead uses the plug standard found in the US. The corners are more rounded than the original US power adapter and it also has two groves on each side that may make it a bit easier to pull away from an outlet. The Weibo user also included a picture of the rumored fully reversible Lightning to USB cable, which we recently covered in a couple of short videos demonstrating its capabilities. It’s possible that this new design is better optimized for the rumored reversible USB cable, but either way all details will be revealed very soon.
Apple’s Australian 5W USB power adapter
As far as legitimacy goes, it’s hard to tell if the above image is of a genuine Apple power adapter, but it does carry Apple’s “Designed by Apple in California” signature on the prong end. Because this design isn’t actually new to Apple power adapters, but for the US adapter, it’s likely that we may see this design with the launch of the iPhone 6.
Comparing Apple’s Australian power adapter to the alleged redesigned US adapter.
Apple is set to unveil the iPhone 6 on Sept. 9, 2014 at a media event that has yet to be announced. If all goes well, it’s possible that we’ll see the iPhone 6 and this redesigned US 5W power adapter launch soon after the announcement.
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I live in Australia and that plug is great! It came out when the 5S was released. The grooves do NOT help with getting the bugger out of the socket though! haha
Another overpriced cheaply made Apple product!!
Why do you say it’s cheaply made?
It is cheaply made, using quality materials and a top class design and engineering team.
Teejay is just annoyed that his Samsung is made in the opposite fashion.
Another unfounded ignorant comment.
Many tear downs readily available online prove otherwise. It’s design and construction is vastly superior to nearly any other USB power adapter.
Another butthurt Apple hater with absolutely no life and nothing better to do than read news on pro-Apple sites and sulk like a child. Surprise, surprise.
Another freaking Apple hating troll on a Apple news site… GET OUT!
your not the only apple fag to say this, I love apple but I hate fanboys like you
But you have to admit, that earphones and charging cables that come with the adapter are cheap, and I like apple products but those are not the their standard.
http://www.righto.com/2012/05/apple-iphone-charger-teardown-quality.html
You’re dead wrong, troll. Every bit of the charger is an engineering marvel. On an unrelated note, your Twitter profile is genuinely ironic.
The little mesh design seen in the image where the ends of the plastic covering meets is consistent with a Chinese copy of the previous adapters. Apple’s plastic coverings do not have that mesh design.
Also, the fakes ones usually say, Design by “Able” in California.
I know this, because sell them.
10 or 12 watts would be far better than five… having said that I much prefer this design over the larger adapters.
So the new power adaptor is supposed to be bigger, bulkier and clumsier than the old power adaptor, eh? I doubt it.
How so? Doesn’t look any bigger than the 12W charger I’m using right now.
Yeah but this one is a 5W adapter not a 12W. Maybe this is a 12W adapter for the iPhone 6 5.5″
The 10 and 12 watt chargers are significantly larger than the existing 5w chargers.
It certainly looks a lot bulkier than the one I got with my iPhone 5: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/European-2-Pins-USB-AC-Power-Adapter-EU-Plug-Wall-Charger-for-iPhone-4-4G-5-5S-/191237433121
Clearly the height is reduced which is more than welcome when sharing a standard outlet with any other plug/adapter.
I think it’s for the 5.5″ iPhone since the battery capacity is so much larger this is probably a new 10W charger. Possibly could be shipped with the iPhone 4.7″ as well since its battery is larger as well.
I don’t mean this to be racist, but damn those Chinese in China really need to start cutting their damn finger names. They all looks like freaking ghouls, either ready to sniff some coke or cut your heart out with their bare hands.
Nails, not names. Damn auto correct.
“It’s possible that this new design is better optimized for the rumored reversible USB cable, but either way all details will be revealed very soon.”
I’d hope not. If the reversible USB socket benefits from ‘optimised’ female USB connectors, then that’d imply that 99.9% of the other USB sockets out there are non optimised and won’t give as ideal of an experience. I think the concept is largely dead on arrival if people have to think about the female connector they are using in any way shape or form and it would largely defeat the purpose of using a universal cable standard.
wish they’d make a taller uk iPhone charger because thats nearly impossible to get out of the plug socket
the power adapter in the EU seems just fine :))
I’m in NZ, we have the Australian plug and it’s really fantastic!
Bigger phones equal bigger batteries that require more powerful chargers unless you want your phone taoprophet420 charge slow. This is Apple simple switching to a 10 watt charger.
I think this is fake. The darker gray plastic backer doesn’t fit flush with the white sleeve like EVERY other power supply Apple makes. Also, Apple usually does the writing as an embed into the plastic molding. The Chinese copies usually just print this. However, I was wrong before (on the Mac Mini a few years back) so I might be wrong again.
What an awesome design!