Apple will require third-party Apple Watch watch accessories to support fast charging

CTOnews.com, August 8 (Xinhua)-- Apple plans to implement a new requirement for third-party accessory manufacturers later this year to significantly expand the availability of Apple Watch fast charging, with the addition of a quick charge function to Apple's Apple Watch Series 7 watch two years ago.

Under Apple's MFi accessory program, Apple Watch accessory manufacturers must use Apple's own official charging module. Currently, Apple offers these companies two options: one is the old charging module, which is slower, and the other is the new charging module, which can be charged quickly. Apple will stop offering options for old charging modules later this year, according to a third-party accessories company that communicates with AppleInsider. The deadline for companies to submit plans to use slower charging modules is August 31, and Apple will officially stop accepting orders for older modules on September 30.

There are several different reasons why this change is remarkable. First, it will greatly increase the number of third-party accessories that can take advantage of Apple Watch's fast charging capability. In addition, a potential disadvantage is that quick charging modules are more expensive for MFi accessory manufacturers. As these companies are required to use fast-charging hardware, accessory makers may have to raise their prices.

The following Apple Watch models support fast charging:

Apple Watch Series 7

Apple Watch Series 8

Apple Watch Ultra

Apple says the Apple Watch battery can be recharged from 0% to 80% in about 45 minutes with the fast charge feature. At present, there are only a few accessories on the market that support fast charging of Apple Watch.

CTOnews.com noted that Apple's own MagSafe Duo accessories do not support fast charging of the Apple Watch, and it is not clear whether Apple has a new version under development.