If you're shopping for a new charger, the one thing you should look out for is whether it uses GaN technology. Short for gallium nitride, GaN has better conductivity and can handle higher voltage than silicon. That's why GaN chargers are typically more compact than traditional silicon-based ones. For instance, the Mi 65W Fast Charger with GaN Tech reviewed here is roughly half the size of the Xiaomi non-GaN 65W charger that came with my smartphone.

The Mi 65W Fast Charger is a compact 2-pin model with a single USB-C port. I would have preferred a 3-pin plug, but that would also increase its bulk. You probably need a flat plastic plug adapter if you're using it at home. And if I'm travelling, I would bring a travel adapter anyway, so the 2-pin plug is not an issue.

The included USB-C to USB-C cable is required if you wish to enjoy the fastest charging speed offered by the Mi charger. This cable has a built-in chip that supports currents of up to 5A for the fastest charging speed. For my Xiaomi phone, the cable enables Xiaomi's Mi Turbo Charge feature. This fast-charging feature will not work with a standard USB-C cable. I'll receive a Quick Charge notification that's noticeably slower instead. Xiaomi says its 65W charger will also work with all iPhone models and is 50% faster than the standard 5W charger. However, you'll need to get a USB-C to Lightning cable separately.

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Using the Ampere app on my smartphone, the Mi charger produced a maximum output of around 5,000mA when connected to my phone. It's a similar speed as the phone's bundled 65W charger. Note that this figure changes depending on your phone's remaining amount of charge. Besides smartphones, the Mi charger can also charge notebooks and tablets. Its product page has a list of compatible devices, which includes Apple MacBooks and Windows notebooks from major brands. But don't fret if your device isn't on the list. It should work, like my unlisted Dell notebook, which was topped up by around 5% in 10 minutes. This rate is comparable to the Ugreen 65W GaN charger.

Depending on whether it's on sale, the Mi 65W Fast Charger with GaN Tech will cost around S$50. That's a good price for a compact and portable charger. However, the similarly-priced Ugreen GaN charger may make more sense if you carry multiple devices. But the Ugreen is much larger, so those who prefer to travel light will find Xiaomi's offering more suitable. Get it now at Lazada, Shopee and Amazon.

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Note: Review unit provided by Xiaomi.