Oakter's 65W GaN Charger: A Game-Changer for Multi-Device Users
In recent years, many smartphone brands have eliminated charging bricks from their packaging, citing environmental responsibility as a key motivator. While this move is commendable for reducing waste, it has created a practical dilemma for consumers. If you own a laptop, a smartphone, wireless earbuds, and a tablet, you likely find yourself surrounded by a chaotic tangle of adapters and cables accumulated over time. This clutter ironically undermines the environmental goals, as users often resort to purchasing separate chargers, leading to more electronic waste.
Introducing the Oakter 65W GaN Charger
Enter the Oakter 65W GaN charger, which presents a straightforward solution: replace all your existing adapters with this single, compact device without straining your budget. Priced at just Rs 1,599, it stands out as one of the most affordable GaN chargers available in the Indian market. But does its low cost compromise performance? After extensive testing, the answer is largely positive, offering reassurance to potential buyers.
Build and Design: Compact and User-Friendly
The Oakter 65W GaN charger is remarkably compact and lightweight, especially considering its ability to power demanding devices like a MacBook Air or a Samsung Windows laptop. Featuring a clean, all-white finish, it has an unfussy design that blends seamlessly into any setting. It comes with a standard three-pin Indian plug, ensuring immediate compatibility in households and offices across India without the need for additional adapters. The package includes a 1.5-metre USB-C to USB-C cable, adding to its convenience.
Before delving into performance, it's essential to understand what sets GaN chargers apart from traditional silicon-based adapters. GaN, or Gallium Nitride, is a semiconductor material that offers superior efficiency compared to conventional silicon. This results in a charger that generates less heat, minimizes energy waste, and can be constructed in a much smaller form factor for the same wattage. Oakter leverages this technology effectively, delivering a product that is both powerful and portable. Additionally, the charger carries BIS certification, confirming it has been tested and approved for safety in the Indian market.
Performance: Efficient and Reliable Charging
The headline feature is its 65W Power Delivery capability, and in testing, the charger consistently meets this claim. When connected to a Samsung Windows laptop, specifically the Galaxy Book 6 Pro with a 78.07 Wh battery, it charged at a pace comparable to the laptop's original adapter. During our tests, the laptop achieved a 60% charge in just one hour, demonstrating impressive efficiency.
For smartphone users, the charger performed equally well. We tested it with a Pixel 10 Pro XL, which has a 5,200mAh battery and supports 45W fast charging. The fast charging engaged immediately, and the phone reached a significant charge level in a fraction of the time required by standard adapters. Starting from 13%, the phone charged to 52% in only 20 minutes. Notably, the charger remained relatively cool during phone charging, though it warmed slightly when powering a laptop—never reaching uncomfortable levels. This is due to built-in protections against overheating, short circuits, and voltage spikes, providing essential safety assurance when using it with expensive devices like laptops.
Verdict: A Smart Investment for Modern Users
At Rs 1,599, the Oakter 65W GaN charger is a well-built, sensibly priced, and genuinely useful accessory. The GaN technology delivers on its promises: the charger is compact, operates coolly, and charges devices quickly. It is particularly well-suited for individuals seeking a single, reliable, and travel-friendly charger capable of handling both modern laptops and smartphones without financial strain.
This charger makes the most sense for users of thin and light notebooks, MacBook Air owners, those with USB-C Android phones, iPad users, and professionals who frequently move between home, office, and travel, aiming to carry minimal gear. By consolidating multiple chargers into one, it not only simplifies daily life but also contributes to reducing electronic waste, aligning with broader environmental goals.
