Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. AUKEY provided the product in this review.

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Model: PA-Y19

Tech Specs:

• Ports: USB-C
• Output: 30W USB-C Power Delivery 3.0 (5V/3A, 9V/3A, 12V/2.5A, 15V/2A, 20V/1.5A)
• Input: 100V–240V, 0.7A, 50/60Hz
• Size: 1.4 x 1.4 x 1.3 inches | 36 x 36 x 32 mm
• Weight: 1.5 oz | 42 grams

Learn more about Fast Charging.

Included In Box:

• AUKEY PA-Y19 Minima 30W

Good For:

• Additional charger for home or work
• Commute
• Travel
• iPhone
• Android
• Power banks
• Nintendo Switch (handheld)
• iPad Pro
• 12-inch laptop

First Impression

The AUKEY PA-Y19 Minima 30W is a good example of what GaN tech has to offer chargers. The PA-Y19 30W is the same size and weight as the older PA-Y18. But the PA-Y19 30W offers up to 50% more output. The inclusion of GaN allows for the increased output in the same space.

The design is what many want for a travel sized fast charger. Larger than an iPhone’s USB power adapter, but still small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. And unlike the iPhone’s included charger this one offers fast charging. The same goes for newer Samsung Galaxy phone and the Google Pixel line. The folding prongs increase its size. But make it more travel friendly for many would be buyers. There’s no LED indicator, so it doesn’t light up a dark room.

 

Compared To Similar Chargers

Prices are from Amazon Product Advertising API, last updated on 2024-11-26.

 

You can see more USB-C chargers here.

Device Testing

Check with your device’s manufacturer to verify which charging standards it supports.

USB Power Delivery & Quick Charge 4+ Phones

• Apple iPhone 8/X/XR/XS
• Essential Phone
• Google Pixel
• LG ThinQ/V30
• Razer
• Samsung Galaxy S8/S9/S10
• Samsung Galaxy Note 8/9
• Xiaomi Mi 8/9
• ZTE Axon Pro 9/10

 

Using an iPhone 8 for testing we find USB PD phones will fast charge over the USB-C port. iPhones will need to use a USB-C to Lightning cable, not included. And Android phones will need a USB-C to USB-C cable, also not included.

Older iPhones won’t get any benefit out of this charger. As it doesn’t support the Apple 2.4A standard required to fast charge models pre-dating the iPhone 8.

Quick Charge 3.0 Phones

• HTC
• LG
• Motorola
• Nokia
• Samsung Galaxy
• Sony
• Xiaomi Mi 5/6
• ZTE

 

Using a Moto G6 for testing we get normal charging rates. As no Quick Charge or compatible fast charging standard is supported that’s as fast as it goes. Still, 9-10W is a decent charge rate.

Nintendo Switch

 

Works well for all model Nintendo Switch in handheld/tabletop mode.

• Nintendo Switch (original) – Charges near its max rate while playing and sleeping.
• Nintendo Switch (2019 update) – Charges near its max rate while playing and sleeping.
• Nintendo Switch Lite – Charges near its max rate while playing and sleeping.

It will not support the Switch’s dock, as it doesn’t offer the required output.

Learn more about charging the Switch.

USB-C Laptops

 

Using a 13-inch MacBook Pro for testing we can draw up to 27W from this charger. That’s expected, after accounting for efficiency loss.

Different model laptops have different power demands. But in general a 30W charger can support 12-inch laptops. It can power a larger laptop in a pinch. It will charge while sleeping. But may only extend runtime if used while the larger laptop is active.

GaN (gallium nitride)

GaN (gallium nitride) is a replacement for traditional silicon. It can sustain higher voltages than silicon and offers less resistance to current. That makes it more efficient (10-25%) and able to handle more heat. In 2014 GaN performed the same as silicon 3-5 times larger. The most recent leap (2017) reduced the size of GaN transistors to half their previous size.

GaN is not new. It is in the laser diodes of Blu-ray players. And the transistors in various wireless infrastructure. In 2018 we started to see USB-C chargers with GaN hit the market. Since then many brands have released GaN chargers. With more on the way.

There isn’t an output advantage for GaN chargers. A 45W GaN charger charges as fast as a 45W silicon charger. And both heat up to similar temperatures. The difference is the GaN charger is smaller and lighter. While matching the silicon charger’s performance.

Costs continue to drop, but GaN is still more expensive than silicon. As such GaN chargers are usually priced at the high end of their peers. As with many things getting the smallest and lighter version costs a bit more.

AUKEY PA-Y19 Minima 27W vs AUKEY PA-Y19 Minima 30W

AUKEY initially released the PA-Y19 Minima as a 27W USB-C PD charger. But soon after a 30W version with the same model number appeared. The input and output specs of each lined up with their listed max outputs. But otherwise they have the same specs and form.

I asked AUKEY about the two variations. They said the only difference was with the Power Delivery control chip. Which is what limits the power profiles, and thus total output, of the charger. The initial product was set to 27W. Later batches used a PD control chip that allowed for up to 30W.

In practice there isn’t any difference unless you are drawing close to 25W of power. Phones, accessories, and the Nintendo Switch all have nearly identical test results. When we get near the max draw limits with a laptop the 30W model offers up to 2W more. Less than an 8% difference.

If you’re buying new today I would go with the 30W version. It is the model likely here to stay. And there’s no downside, even if you don’t end up using those two extra watts.

If you already own the 27W version stick with it. It isn’t worth buying a new charger. Your laptop and other devices will continue to charge well. And most users wouldn’t notice a 2W difference without measuring for it.

Summary

The AUKEY PA-Y19 Minima 30W is part of AUKEY’s Omni-Power. A line of products using newer innovations found with USB-C chargers. In this case, GaN technology. Which allows for the same form factor AUKEY used for an older 18W charger.

For phones it fast charges iPhone 8/X/XR/XS/11, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel. Android phones supporting Quick Charge will not get a fast charging benefit. But it’ll still charge them at a decent rate.

All models of the Nintendo Switch fast charge near their max rate in handheld mode. But it cannot power a docked Switch.

iPad Pros and similar USB Power Delivery supporting tablets will also fast charge. As will laptops with USB-C ports up to 12-inch in size. Or the Apple MacBook Air, which is less demanding than most other 13-inch laptops.

The travel friendly design is a good compromise of size and function. Folding prongs are often preferred, but they do increase the size of a charger. For those not requiring the smallest possible option it makes for an better to toss and carry option. As you don’t have to worry about it snagging or scratching something in your bag.

This 30W varient is available from Amazon. If you go to AUKEY directly you’ll find the 27W version. Either will include the same warranty and support.

About AUKEY

AUKEY has U.S. based support (web and email) and a 24 month warranty. You must have purchased the product either from them or through Amazon for support.

Bottom Line

The AUKEY PA-Y19 Minima 30W is a travel friendly fast charger for your small to medium sized USB PD devices. Good for your phone, Switch, tablet, or small laptop. It can live in your commute or travel bag while taking up next to no space or weight.

Buy if you:

• Need a travel charger for a newer iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, or Google Pixel
• Want a charger offering both max performance for the Nintendo Switch and the smallest size possible
• Have a 12-inch laptop or MacBook Air to keep charged at home, work, or while away

Don’t buy if you:

• Want to fast charge a Quick Charge only supporting Android phone
• Have a MacBook Pro or other 13 to 15-inch laptop, as you’ll want more output from your charger

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Be sure to check the Deals page to see if this or a similar charger is on sale.

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