GaN charger trends, the spread of universal USB-C and the rise of magnetic wireless charging are reshaping what accessory buyers want on their shelves. For manufacturers and brands, charging is no longer a commodity category where the cheapest adapter wins. Customers now compare wattage, size, number of ports, compatibility and safety, and retailers are rebuilding ranges around fewer, more capable products.
These shifts are driven by technology and regulation working together. Gallium nitride semiconductors have made small, powerful chargers practical. The EU's common charger rules have pushed USB-C to the centre of the market, and the wider industry has followed. Magnetic alignment, popularised by Apple's MagSafe and now standardised by the Wireless Power Consortium through Qi2, has created a new ecosystem of mounts, stands, wallets and power banks.
This article looks at the main product trends shaping accessory portfolios heading into 2027, what they mean for range planning, and how factories and brands can position themselves with distributors and retailers.
Trend 1: GaN moves from premium to mainstream
Gallium nitride (GaN) power transistors switch faster and more efficiently than traditional silicon, which lets charger designers shrink transformers and heatsinks. The result is chargers that deliver more power in a smaller, cooler package.
What this means for ranges
- Consolidation of SKUs. A single compact multi-port GaN charger can replace a phone charger, a tablet charger and a laptop adapter. Retailers can carry fewer SKUs with higher average prices.
- Wattage tiers become the main navigation. Buyers increasingly organise shelves by output, for example small single-port phone chargers, mid-range multi-port chargers and high-output laptop-capable chargers.
- Thermal design is the differentiator. As GaN spreads, performance under sustained load, temperature management and power allocation between ports distinguish good products from weak ones.
Practical guidance
Be honest about power sharing. If a 100 W charger delivers only part of that per port when several devices are connected, show the power distribution clearly on packaging and listings. Reviewers and informed buyers will test it, and misleading claims damage brand trust quickly.
Trend 2: USB-C becomes the universal baseline
The EU's common charger rules, adopted as an amendment to the Radio Equipment Directive, require USB-C charging on many categories of portable electronic devices sold in the EU, with laptops covered from a later date than phones and smaller devices. Many manufacturers have adopted USB-C globally rather than making region-specific versions.
Consequences for accessory portfolios
- Legacy connectors decline. Demand for Lightning and micro-USB cables and adapters will continue to fall as older devices leave use. Plan end-of-life carefully rather than holding excess stock.
- Cable differentiation shifts. When every cable has the same connector, customers need help choosing. Clear labelling of charging power, data speed and supported protocols becomes essential.
- Unbundling creates demand. The rules also allow devices to be sold without a charger, which supports standalone charger sales at retail.
USB Power Delivery and cable capability
USB Power Delivery negotiates voltage and current between charger and device. The newer Extended Power Range allows much higher output for laptops and larger devices, but only with suitably rated cables and chargers. High-power cables use an e-marker chip to identify their capability. Portfolios should make it easy to match chargers and cables, for example with clearly labelled wattage ratings on both.
The USB Implementers Forum operates certification and logo programmes for compliant products. Certification is not always mandatory, but it can reassure retail buyers and reduce compatibility complaints.
Trend 3: Magnetic charging and the Qi2 ecosystem
Magnetic alignment solves the main weakness of pad-style wireless charging: devices placed slightly off-centre charge slowly or not at all. MagSafe established the approach, and Qi2 brought a magnetic profile into an open standard administered by the Wireless Power Consortium, which broadens the range of compatible phones over time.
Product opportunities
- Magnetic power banks that attach to the back of a phone.
- Car mounts and chargers that combine secure attachment with charging.
- Multi-device stands for phones, earbuds and watches.
- Cases with magnetic rings for phones that lack built-in magnets, enabling compatibility with the magnetic ecosystem.
- Non-charging magnetic accessories such as wallets, grips and tripod mounts.
Certification matters
Wireless chargers are radio equipment, so they require appropriate radio and EMC compliance in each market. Qi2 certification through the Wireless Power Consortium also gives buyers confidence in interoperability and safety. Products marketed as "Qi2 compatible" without certification can create legal and reputational problems; check the consortium's current rules on logo and terminology use.
Trend 4: Smarter, safer power banks
Power banks are being reshaped by the same trends: USB-C input and output, higher Power Delivery output, GaN-based designs in hybrid charger power banks, and magnetic attachment. At the same time, safety expectations are rising.
- Airlines and transport regulators pay close attention to lithium batteries, and passengers look for clear watt-hour ratings.
- Marketplaces and retailers ask for detailed safety documentation for battery products.
- Consumers increasingly value displays that show remaining charge and output, as well as pass-through charging.
For brands, the lesson is to invest in cell quality, protection circuitry and documentation. Low-quality cells may reduce cost, but the risk of recalls, delisting and liability is serious.
Trend 5: Sustainability and longevity as selling points
Regulation and consumer expectations are both pushing towards longer-lasting, more responsible products.
- Durability. Braided cables with reinforced strain relief and longer warranty periods appeal to buyers tired of replacing cheap cables.
- Packaging. Plastic-free or reduced packaging is increasingly expected, particularly by European retailers.
- Materials. Recycled plastics and aluminium housings, when properly documented, support retailer sustainability goals.
- Efficiency. Low no-load consumption and high efficiency are regulated in several markets and also make good marketing claims when verified.
Avoid unsupported environmental claims. Regulators in Europe and elsewhere are paying more attention to greenwashing, so every claim should be specific and backed by evidence.
Planning a charging portfolio for 2027
A structured approach helps factories and brands turn these trends into a coherent range.
A range-planning checklist
- Map your current range by connector, wattage and technology, and identify legacy SKUs to phase out.
- Define clear wattage tiers for chargers, each with one hero product.
- Match every charger with a correctly rated cable and label both clearly.
- Decide whether to enter the magnetic ecosystem and, if so, plan Qi2 certification.
- Review power bank designs for cell quality, protection, displays and documentation.
- Update packaging for multilingual markets, sustainability expectations and accurate power claims.
- Check compliance for each target region, including radio rules for wireless products.
- Build content that explains compatibility simply for retail staff and online shoppers.
Mistakes to avoid
- Overstating wattage or hiding power-sharing limitations.
- Holding too much legacy-connector stock as demand declines.
- Using standard logos or names without the required certification.
- Launching too many near-identical SKUs that confuse buyers.
- Cutting corners on cells and protection circuits in power banks.
Bringing next-generation charging products to market with a partner
Even the best charging product needs certification, marketplace listings, distributor relationships and after-sales support in each region. For manufacturers in Asia or newer brands, a distribution partner can combine these into one market-entry plan.
Tercel Group is a global holding group working with more than 20 companies worldwide, with offices in Belgium, the UK, the USA, Dubai and India. Its brands are sold across multiple Amazon marketplaces, Walmart and the group's own marketplaces, and it works with a network of more than 12,000 distributors worldwide. Partnership models include exclusive regional distribution, market-entry services covering import, certification, marketplaces, dealer acquisition and after-sales, AI-assisted outbound sales to dealers and retailers, and joint ventures or co-branding for proven partners.
Visit our Mobile & Electronics Accessories sector, learn how to partner with Tercel Group or book a meeting to discuss your charging range.
Key takeaways
- GaN makes compact multi-port chargers mainstream and allows retailers to consolidate SKUs.
- USB-C is the universal baseline; clear labelling of power and data capability is now the key differentiator.
- Qi2 opens the magnetic charging ecosystem to more devices, but certification matters.
- Power bank buyers expect higher output, better safety and clearer documentation.
- Build ranges around clear wattage tiers, honest claims and verified sustainability benefits.
Frequently asked questions
Are GaN chargers safer than traditional chargers?
GaN itself is not automatically safer; safety depends on overall design, components, protection circuits and testing. GaN chargers run more efficiently and can generate less heat for the same output, which helps. Buyers should still look for proper certification, such as appropriate safety marks and test reports, rather than relying on the technology label.
Do I still need to sell Lightning and micro-USB accessories?
There is still demand from owners of older devices, but it will decline as those devices leave use. Keep a slim range for existing customers, avoid large new production runs, and plan clearance timelines. Focus new development and marketing on USB-C, where long-term demand is concentrated across phones, tablets, laptops and many other devices.
What is the difference between MagSafe and Qi2?
MagSafe is Apple's magnetic charging and attachment system. Qi2 is an open wireless charging standard from the Wireless Power Consortium that includes a magnetic power profile based on that approach. Qi2 allows accessory makers to build certified magnetic chargers that work across compatible phones from multiple manufacturers, subject to the consortium's certification requirements.
How should I label chargers and cables for USB Power Delivery?
State the maximum output clearly, explain how power is shared between ports on multi-port chargers, and label cables with their supported power rating and data speed. Where products are certified by the USB Implementers Forum, follow its logo guidelines. Clear labelling reduces returns and helps retail staff recommend the right combination.