Xiaomi 120W GaN Charger Review: The 'Pudding' That Fills Your Phone in 20 Minutes
## Introduction In the world of smartphone fast charging, Xiaomi has consistently been one of the frontrunners. From the original Mi 10 Ultra Anniversary Editi
Introduction
In the world of smartphone fast charging, Xiaomi has consistently been one of the frontrunners. From the original Mi 10 Ultra Anniversary Edition featuring 120W wired charging to today, Xiaomi’s fast-charging technology has evolved into its third generation — the 2024 120W GaN “Little Pudding” charger pushes power density to a staggering 1.97 W/cm³.
This charger, roughly the size of a pudding cup, can take a Xiaomi flagship phone from 0 to 100% in under 20 minutes. It also supports 65W PD output and UFCS universal fast charging. For Xiaomi users, it’s close to a perfect charging solution. But if you’re not a Xiaomi user, is it still worth picking up?
Specifications
| Item | Spec |
|---|---|
| Input | 100-240V~ 50/60Hz |
| USB-C Output (Private Protocol) | 20V/6A (up to 120W) |
| USB-C Output (PD Mode) | 20V/3.25A (up to 65W) |
| Dimensions (GaN Pudding Edition) | ~52 × 52 × 28mm |
| Power Density | ~1.97 W/cm³ |
| Port | 1×USB-C (new) / 1×USB-A (old) |
| Foldable Plug | Yes (some versions) |
| Fast Charging Protocols | Xiaomi MIPPS (120W), PD 3.0 (65W), QC3.0/4+, UFCS, Apple 2.4A, AFC, FCP/SCP |
Design and Build Quality
The GaN Pudding Edition’s appearance is its most eye-catching feature — a tiny square cube with rounded corners that looks adorable, finished in glossy white plastic for a premium look. With 52mm sides and under 3cm thickness, it’s even smaller than many 30W chargers and slides into any pocket without a second thought.
Note that the Xiaomi 120W charger has several generations:
- USB-A Old (non-GaN): Larger body, only supports Xiaomi private 120W protocol
- USB-C New: Built-in GaN chip, supports 120W private + 65W PD
- GaN Pudding Edition (2024): Smallest size, highest power density, adds UFCS
The GaN Pudding Edition is the current mainstream model and the version we recommend.
Performance and Charging Tests
Performance on Xiaomi phones is nothing short of astonishing. According to media test data:
- Xiaomi 14 Pro (4880mAh): 0-100% in about 19 minutes
- Redmi K70 Pro (5000mAh): Peak measured 92.25W (17.95V/5.14A)
- Most Xiaomi phones negotiate the 9V voltage range
Beyond blazing charging for Xiaomi flagships, an often-overlooked highlight is its 65W PD output. This means you can charge a MacBook Air, thin Windows laptop, or iPad Pro. It won’t be full speed for a MacBook Pro, but 65W is enough to sustain normal operation and slowly replenish battery.
The added UFCS support also broadens compatibility — if a friend has a UFCS-compatible Huawei, OPPO, or vivo phone, they’ll get noticeably faster charging than standard PD.
But the unavoidable issue is the single-port design. With only one USB-C, you can charge only one device at a time. This is a major gap compared to multi-port competitors like the Anker 737 or CukTech 15. If you need to charge a phone and earbuds or a watch simultaneously, you’ll need another charger or a dock.
User Reviews
“Using this with my Xiaomi 14 Pro — 20 minutes to full charge is insane.” — JD.com user
“The Pudding edition is adorable, way smaller than I expected.” — Xiaomi Mall user
“65W PD is enough for my laptop, one charger for both phone and computer.” — Taobao user
“30 minutes to 90%, perfect for a lunch break top-up.” — Smzdm user
JD.com has a 99%+ positive rating, with negative reviews focused mainly on the single-port limitation and reduced compatibility with non-Xiaomi devices.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- 120W ultra-fast charging — blazing speed (20 min full charge)
- Incredibly compact GaN Pudding Edition (1.97 W/cm³ power density)
- 65W PD compatibility for laptops and tablets
- UFCS support for cross-brand fast charging
- Genuine Xiaomi quality, reliable
- Affordable pricing (¥99-249)
Cons
- Single-port design — can only charge one device
- Private protocol orientation limits fast-charging on non-Xiaomi devices
- PD output limited to 65W (not 100W+), slow for high-performance laptops
- Older non-GaN version is larger
- Noticeable heat during high-power charging
FAQ
Q1: Is this a genuine Xiaomi 120W charger? How’s it different from the one in the box? Yes, this is the official standalone version. Key differences: the GaN Pudding Edition is smaller, uses USB-C, and supports UFCS — more advanced than the early A-port version that shipped with some phones. Some newer Xiaomi phones now include this version in the box.
Q2: Can it fast-charge an iPhone? At what speed? Yes, USB-C supports PD 3.0. iPhone 15/16 series max out at about 27W PD, reaching 50% in about 30 minutes. Compared to the 120W Xiaomi experience, this feels quite ordinary.
Q3: Can 65W PD charge a MacBook Pro? Yes, but MacBook Pro 14/16 may need over 65W under heavy load, so charging will be slower than with the original 96W/140W charger. Under light use, it can maintain the charge level. Under heavy use (video editing/rendering), consumption may outpace charging. MacBook Air works perfectly.
Q4: How do I tell the Pudding Edition from the old A-port version? The simplest way: USB-C output = new GaN version; USB-A output = old version. Also, the Pudding edition is roughly 1/3 the size of the old one — visually obvious.
Q5: What does UFCS support mean in practice? If you’re a Xiaomi user and your friend uses a UFCS-compatible Huawei/OPPO phone, they can plug into your charger and get faster charging than standard 5V/2A (depending on negotiation, possibly 40W+). It won’t match native proprietary protocols, but it’s far faster than generic protocols.
Verdict and Rating
The Xiaomi 120W GaN Pudding Charger is a “specialist” — it excels in single-device charging speed, with 20-minute full-charge capability that’s still among the best in the industry. However, its single-port design and private-protocol focus prevent it from being a “one charger for everything” solution.
Best for: Xiaomi/Redmi phone users, and anyone wanting one charger for both phone and slim laptop. Not ideal for: Users needing simultaneous multi-device charging at home or in the office, or non-Xiaomi phone users.
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5/5)
- Charging Performance: 4.9/5 (Xiaomi devices) / 3.8/5 (non-Xiaomi)
- Build & Design: 4.6/5
- Protocol Compatibility: 4.2/5
- Value for Money: 4.5/5
- Portability: 4.8/5