Tiny charger knows your iPhone

Anker has a new tiny charger that is designed specifically for iPhone users with several unique features not found in any other power adapters. Let’s put it to the test.

The new GaN charger is the Anker Nano Charger, which is a name used by many prior Anker mini chargers. They’ve all been roughly the same size, but with updated specs in each new iteration.

This one, announced at CES 2026, supports 45W of power, has rotating prongs, a built-in display, and a smart “care” mode. In a market saturated with chargers, this one certainly stands out.

Anker Nano Charger with display review: Design

The Anker Nano Charger is still roughly the size of Apple’s legacy 25W charger. Easily small enough to bring with you thanks to its collapsing prongs.

It comes in Aurora White, Stone Black, Misty Blue, and orange. I’ve been using the Stone Black one for a few weeks.

The sides have a matte finish, while the front is a polished black, no matter which base color you choose. There is a single USB-C port on the side next to a touch-sensitive button.

Like the others, the prongs fold into the back. When you need to use it, they fold out 90 degrees.

Anker Nano Charger with display review: The prongs can go closed, 90-degrees, and 180-degrees

One of the unique aspects here is that the prongs can also fold further, going 180 degrees to the other side. This gives you two angles to plug the charger into the wall.

I travel a lot, and you never know what the outlet situation will be in a hotel room, coffee shop, or airport. This flexibility is incredibly useful.

When plugged into the wall, the display will spring to life. On it, a tiny circular pet.

Anker Nano Charger with display review: The little Anker character playing baseball while it’s idle

This little character will animate every once in a while, which is very cute to watch. It will even react when you tap the button at the bottom.

Anker Nano Charger with display review: Super smart power

What matters even more is the power this can deliver. It is a 45W charger, which means it can fast charge an iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, or iPhone 17 Pro Max to 50% in only 20 minutes.

Anker Nano Charger with display review: The 45W output can charge your iPhone to 50% in 20 minutes

In my testing, that is completely accurate. It took just under 20 minutes to reach 50% on my iPhone 17 Pro.

When you plug your phone in via USB-C, the charger will detect the model of your iPhone. It will show the iPhone model on the display before showing off the current wattage being delivered and the percentage of your phone that is charged.

Anker Nano Charger with display review: New iPhones and iPads will automatically be detected and displayed

This won’t work with all iPhone models, but all the newer ones. Specifically, it will detect iPhone 15 and later, as well as iPad Pro models from 2020 and newer.

Older devices will still be charged, but the wattage won’t be as tightly optimized to your device. Since it supports the universal USB-C PD spec, basically all USB-C devices can be charged.

When charging, you can tap the button to cycle the display through different interfaces or hold it to flip it over. You can see the current temperature and the charging mode.

Anker Nano Charger with display review: You can switch between auto and care modes

There are two modes on the charger — auto and care — and you can change the modes by quickly double-tapping the button. Auto is your standard charging mode and will quickly and safely charge your device.

Care mode is intended for extended charge sessions, such as overnight, and prioritizes temperature. The charger will stay 36 degrees cooler than the international safety standard, and the phone will stay 9 degrees cooler than when using a standard 45W charger, according to Anker.

Anker Nano Charger with display review: The display can show more than 20 different statuses and animations

That display is also handy for showing off visually the charge status, indicating various factors like rapid charging, trickle charging, or a celebration of how long it took to reach 100%.

Anker Nano Charger with display review: Standing out in a crowded market

Chargers can be quite boring. When I review them, I generally look for size, output, and how safe or cool they are when in use.

Anker is doing much more than that. The prongs are very helpful, the display is fantastic, and the performance is exceptional.

Apple is no longer including chargers in the box, but I’m much more OK with that when unique options like this hit the market.

Anker Nano Charger pros

• Super compact form factor
• GaN technology
• 180-degree prongs for easy access
• Smart display to show output, temperature, & status
• 45W for iPhone fast charge
• Device identification

Anker Nano Charger pros

• More expensive than other 45W chargers

Anker Nano Charger rating: 4.5 out of 5

The new Anker Nano Charger is available now on Amazon for $39.99 with a $10 off coupon to celebrate the launch.