Recently, we have torn down many different types of chargers from different manufacturers.
We know that our audience really wants to see the teardown of the Apple 96W adapter.
So here it is.
Our today’s protagonist, Apple 96W power adapter.
We will see why this 96W charger can sell for $79 without GaN, small size, PPS mode and multi-protocol.
You’ll understand after this video.
Let’s go.
Let’s see the packaging firstly.
This Apple 96W charger comes from Apple’s official website for $79.
It’s the standard power adapter for 16-inch MacBook Pro.
We always let it to compared with 100W chargers from other brands.
The box style is just what Apple will do.
Simple and clear.
Let’s focus on the specification on the side.
Model is A2166.
It supports wide-voltage input of 100-240V.
And output of 20V4.7A, 15V3A, 9V3A and 5.2V3A.
Here is a label on the other side.
Compatible with USB-C devices.
Recommended for 16-inch MacBook Pro.
Then, let’s open the box to see it.
The box contains the charger, product manual, certification and warranty card.
Nothing special, just look at the product.
The charger is white and seems very clean, and looks like a standard rounded rectangle.
Just like the APP icon in the iPhone.
Corners are also rounded.
An Apple logo is in the middle.
We can see there is a white plastic inside the USB-C port
And at the same time, The receptacle of the USB-C port is also made
of the same white plastic.
In addition to ensuring the consistency of design,
It can also reduce the wear and tear on the charger and improve the durability of the charger.
As for the AC Pins, it adopts foldable design and can be replaced at the same time.
You only need to change the pins directly when traveling internationally, which is very convenient.
This T-shaped base is not only used to fix the pin, but can be used to connect the cable
with ground wire at the same time.
Only in this case, can it prevent the feeling of numbness when you touch the computer’s metal case.
The specification marked on the shell is the same as the label of packaging.
After connecting the charger to the MacBook Pro, we can directly see the serial number
of the charger use system information.
If this serial number is different from the serial number on the shell.
Then you need to think about whether it’s fake or not.
In addition, the charger can also be tested by ChargerLAB Power-Z MF001
You just need to plug it in, and the result will show up.
Next, let’s take a look at the size and weight.
The size of the charger is 80*80*28 mm (3.15*3.15*1.1 inches), and the weight is 294g (0.65 lb).
Use ChargerLAB Power-Z KT002 to test the PDO message.
It has 5V/3A, 9V/3A, 15V/3A, 20V/4.7A, four fixed PDOs and doesn’t have PPS mode.
OK, time is up.
Ready to tear it down.
To be honest, after dissembling all those chargers, Apple’s charger will be the hardest one.
It’s impossible to tear it down without the cutting machine.
Even the cutting machine will take a long time to cut.
If the cutter head is not strong enough, it might be destroyed.
You can imagine how strong this charger shell is.
We can see a large area of metal heat sink outside the PCB module after cutting the shell,
There is a black insulating plastic plate in the middle, fixed by glue after removing the metal heat sink.
Almost all the components inside are filled with black silicone in the gaps.
This will not only make the components firmer, but also greatly improve the heat dissipation performance.
The insulating plate and the metal heat sink are fixed by screws.
There is heat sink inside and divided into two parts after removing the outer metal heat
sink and insulation board.
Next, we can continue to clean up the glue on the inside and outside after removing the
screws and the heat sink.
We need to be patient and do it slowly.
The end of the USB-C port’s plastic shell is fixed here and connect to the PCB through a flexible cable.
Here is a fuse, protected by a heat-shrinkable tube.
Here is the safety X capacitor.
Two common mode chocks are welded side by side to filter EMI (electromagnetic interference).
A yellow varistor is next to it.
When the AC input is overvoltage, the fuse will blow to avoid the danger of electrolytic capacitor overvoltage.
There are two black Y capacitors next to varistor.
They have been fixed on the plastic plate by glue, used for anti-interference.
This is the power supply capacitor of the PWM master control chip.
The specification is 47μF 35V, from Rubycon.
This one is the customized PWM master control chip, marked with APSLCAOL.
And this is electrolytic capacitor for high voltage filtering of the primary side.
The specification is 82μF 450V, from Nichicon.
The primary bridge rectifier is sandwiched between metal heat sinks, marked with LT KBP408G.
There is a plastic insulating plate on the outside of the transformer, fixed by glue.
Those two blue objects are filter capacitors.
The differential mode inductor is in the middle.
This cube is the PFC boost inductor.
There is a diode next to the filter capacitor, marked with L38B36B, from ON Semiconductor.
The USB PD protocol chip comes from Cypress CYPD3135, which belongs to CCG3 series.
It’ll control the communication of USB PD protocol.
The serial number of the Apple charger is also burned internally.
Here is the VBUS switch tube of output, which comes from ON Semiconductor NTMFS4C022N.
Here are two solid filter capacitors for output, which come from Panasonic SEPF series.
Both are 25V 330μF.
Let’s take a look at the back of the PCB.
Here is the customized chip, comes from STMicroelectronics 2460PF8N.
And this is a synchronous rectifier controller, which also comes from STMicroelectronics.
Here are two synchronous rectification MOS tubes of the secondary side, which come from
the well-known manufacturer Infineon.
Model is BSC093N15NS5 and connected in parallel.
This chip comes from Texas Instruments, used for current detection.
Model is OPA333.
And single Operational Amplifier is equipped, marked with BQY.
The DALE 5mΩ four-wire resistor for precision detection is on the left, which detects the charger’s output current.
This is the PFC controller, which comes from STMicroelectronics L6563S.
It can boost the rectified and filtered DC and do the power-factor correction.
Here is a MOS tube used for PFC boost.
After seeing all components of Apple’s 96W adapter, I have to say the materials are exquisite.
Its capacitors have high quality, high reliability and long life.
Because they come from well-known suppliers, such as Rubycon, Nichicon and Panasonic.
Besides that, the main internal chips also adopt the product from well-known international brands.
As for the heat dissipation, a large amount of black silicone and metal heat sinks are used to help heat dissipation.
It not only makes the components very solid, but also improved the heat dissipation performance.
So, after seeing the teardown, do you think it’s worth $79 or not?
You can leave your comments below to talk about your opinion.
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See you soon.