Introduction
UGREEN recently launched the Nexode Air 45W GaN Charger. Its size is smaller than any of UGREEN's previous 45W chargers and features foldable prongs. The charger supports the PD3.2 fast-charging standard and is equipped with SPR AVS voltage levels, providing iPhone 17 series users with a charging experience comparable to Apple's 40W Dynamic Charger.
It is compatible with QC3.0, SCP, and PD fast-charging protocols, supporting most smartphones on the market, including Huawei, Apple, Xiaomi, and Samsung. Below, we will take a closer look at the materials and build quality of this new UGREEN charger.
Product Appearance
The front of the packaging features the UGREEN logo, the product name, the appearance of the charger, and its key selling points.
The back of the packaging displays the product specifications, safety precautions, and manufacturer information.
The package includes the charger and a warranty card.
It features rounded corners and a matte finish, with a transparent panel on top, giving it a compact and refined appearance.
The area around the input end has three-dimensional grooves, providing a non-slip surface with a delicate tactile feel.
The opposite side of the body is printed with the UGREEN logo.
The casing at the input end is printed with the charger’s specifications.
Model: X840
Input: 100-240V~50/60Hz 1.2A Max
USB-C Output: 5V 3A, 9V 3A, 12V 3A, 15V 3A, 20V 2.25A
Total Output Power: 45W Max
The charger is CCC certified.
It comes with foldable prongs.
The top is equipped with a single USB-C port.
The top casing is printed with "USB-C" and "45W Nexode Air."
The length of the charger is about 36.12 mm (1.42 inches).
The width is about 30.39 mm (1.2 inches).
The thickness is about 30.41 mm (1.2 inches).
Compared side by side with Apple's 40W Dynamic Charger, the UGREEN model is approximately 42% smaller in size.
That's how big it is in the hand.
The weight is about 49 g (1.73 oz).
ChargerLAB POWER-Z KM003C shows that the USB-C supports QC3.0/4+, FCP, SCP, AFC, PD3.2, PPS, DCP, and Apple 2.4A charging protocols.
It features five fixed PDOs: 5V 3A, 9V 3A, 12V 3A, 15V 3A, 20V 2.25A, as well as 5–11V 4.5A PPS voltage levels and 9–20V 3A / 2.25A AVS voltage levels.
Teardown
Next, let's take it apart to see its internal components and structure.
Open the casing at the input end, and the prongs make contact with the PCBA module to conduct electricity.
The prongs are covered with a transparent plastic panel, and the screw points are insulated with adhesive tape.
The length of the PCBA module is about 32.16 mm (1.27 inches).
The width is about 26.37 mm (1.038 inches).
The thickness is about 25.41 mm (1.00039 inches). Based on its dimensions, the PCBA module achieves a power density of up to 2.09 W/cm³.
The PCBA module uses a stacked design.
A mylar insulation sheet is placed between the primary and secondary layers of the PCB at the bottom for electrical isolation.
Separate the two small PCBs of the PCBA module.
The front side of this small PCB features components such as an NTC thermistor, a differential mode choke, high-voltage filter electrolytic capacitors, a transformer, and Y capacitors.
The back side is equipped with an optocoupler and a master control chip.
The front side of the other PCB features a common mode choke, a synchronous rectifier, a solid filter capacitor, and a protocol chip.
The back side is also equipped with an SMD fuse, a bridge rectifier, a synchronous rectifier controller, and a VBUS MOSFET.
The SMD fuse is rated for 2.5 A.
The common mode choke is used to filter out EMI interference.
The NTC thermistor is used to suppress inrush current when powering on.
The bridge rectifier is from YJ, model RYBS4010, rated at 4 A 1000 V, and comes in a YBS package.
The high-voltage filter electrolytic capacitor is from JSH, rated at 400 V, 33 μF.
Another capacitor, also from JSH, is rated at 400 V, 38 μF.
The differential mode choke has been insulated.
The master control chip is from HYASiC, model HYC3688H. It is an intelligent digital multi-mode flyback controller integrating a 700 V GaN device with a current-sensing MOSFET. The HYC3688H features a built-in high-voltage startup circuit, and its VCC operating range spans 5–80 V. Coupled with an LDO-powered PWM controller, it ensures stable operation under various input conditions.
The HYC3688H adopts the latest QR+ lossless detection architecture, integrating intelligent driving and protection mechanisms, and supports green mode to improve light-load efficiency and reduce standby power consumption. The chip also provides comprehensive protection features, including OVP, TSP, VCCIOVP, OLP, BOP, and OTP, and comes in a QFN 6×8–30L package.
Close-up view of the transformer.
The OR357 optocoupler is used for output voltage feedback.
The SMD Y capacitors are from TRX, part number TAY2222MF. Their compact size and light weight make them well-suited for high-density power products such as GaN fast chargers.
The component marked M6 is a synchronous rectifier controller from Kiwi Instruments, model KP4060. It supports DCM, CCM, and QR operating modes, as well as active-clamp flyback topology. It operates at a frequency of 600 kHz and integrates a high-voltage sensing circuit and high-voltage power supply. The chip features an intelligent dual LDO, eliminating the need for an auxiliary winding for power supply, and supports SR operation during output short circuits. It comes in a space-saving SOT23-6 package.
The KP4060 supports a wide range of output voltages, making it particularly suitable for fast-charging applications that support protocols such as QC and PD. It can be configured for either high-side or low-side operation. With turn-on and turn-off delays of less than 30 ns, it features gate-drive clamping technology to prevent false turn-on caused by parasitic coupling. The chip also incorporates patented intelligent zero-current turn-off and smart turn-on detection technologies to prevent misfiring, ensuring safe operation.
The synchronous rectifier is from AGM-Semi, model AGM1010A-F. It is an NMOS device with a voltage rating of 100 V and an on-resistance of 6.2 mΩ, packaged in a PDFN 5×6 format.
The solid filter capacitor is from BERYL, rated at 25 V, 680 μF.
The HYASiC HY5312 is a high-performance, highly integrated USB Type-C port controller, fully compliant with USB Type-C 2.2 and USB PD 3.2/2.0 standards. It supports seven programmable PDOs, eMarker cable detection, and AVS and PPS functions.
Additionally, the HY5312 supports a wide range of fast-charging protocols, including BC1.2 DCP, Apple 2.4 A, QC 2.0/3.0/3.0+, AFC, FCP, SCP, UFCS, and PE+ 1.1/2.0.
The HY5312 integrates Power-Link technology, supporting dual-chip cascading for multi-port applications and intelligent power distribution. It features an external I²C interface, allowing protocol control and dynamic adjustments via an MCU.
The HY5312 also includes comprehensive protection mechanisms, such as over-voltage protection (OVP), over-current protection (OCP), output short-circuit protection, over-temperature protection (OTP), CC1/CC2/DP/DM over-voltage protection, NTC protection, and under-voltage lockout (UVLO). All pins have an HBM ESD rating of ±4 kV. The device comes in a QFN 3 mm × 3 mm–20L package.
The output VBUS MOSFET is from AGM-Semi, model AGM305AP. It is an NMOS device with a voltage rating of 30 V and an on-resistance of 4.5 mΩ, packaged in a PDFN 3.3×3.3 format.
Well, those are all components of the UGREEN Nexode Air 45W GaN Charger.
Summary of ChargerLAB
Here is the component list of the UGREEN Nexode Air 45W GaN Charger for your convenience.
The charger features rounded corners, a sandblasted body surface, and a transparent decorative panel on top, making it compact and portable. It supports fast-charging protocols such as QC3.0, SCP, and PPS, as well as Apple's PD3.2 standard, with AVS voltage levels that perfectly meet the fast-charging needs of the iPhone 17 series, making it an ideal alternative charger for Apple users.
After taking it apart, we found that it uses the HYASiC HYC3688H integrated GaN power solution. Its high level of integration effectively reduces the number of peripheral components, while the innovative AirPyra® stacked design helps achieve a compact form factor, ultimately reaching an ultra-high power density of 1.32 W/cm³. The filter capacitors are sourced from JSH and BERYL, internal components are reinforced with adhesive, and an isolation board is placed between the primary and secondary sides, reflecting reliable materials and workmanship.
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