Here’s a refreshing change of pace: a genuinely useful tech accessory that doesn’t cost more than the device it’s charging. Asus just quietly launched the a-bean 100W GaN charger in China, and at roughly $25, it undercuts most of the premium GaN brands while matching — and in some specs, beating — their port count.
Table of Contents
The Essentials
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Output | 100W max |
| Ports | 3x USB-C, 1x USB-A |
| Price | ~179 yuan (~$25) |
| Dimensions | 75 x 61 x 29mm |
| Weight | ~211 grams |
| Prongs | Foldable wall plug |
| Colors | Cloud White + Graphite Gray, Cool Black + Fluorescent Green, Cool Black + Space Gray |
| Availability | China only (for now) |
Built on gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductor tech, the a-bean stays compact despite cramming in four charging ports — a feat that would’ve meant a much chunkier brick just a few years ago, back when GaN chargers were still a novelty entering the mainstream.
How the Power Actually Splits
This is where the a-bean gets clever. Each port doesn’t just get a fixed slice of the 100W pie — the charger dynamically reallocates power depending on how many devices are plugged in.
| Ports In Use | Power Distribution |
|---|---|
| USB-C1 alone | 100W |
| USB-C2 alone | 100W |
| C1 + C2 + C3 | 45W + 30W + 20W |
| C1 + C2 + USB-A | 45W + 30W + 22.5W |
| All 4 ports active | 45W + 30W + 20W (shared between C3/USB-A) |
In plain terms: plug in just a laptop and you get the full 100W charge. Add a phone, earbuds case, and a tablet, and the charger automatically rebalances so everything still charges at a sensible speed — no manual port-juggling required. It also supports the usual alphabet soup of fast-charge protocols (PD, QC, SCP, PPS), so it plays nice across iPhones, Android phones, and most USB-C laptops.
Why the Price Tag Stands Out
For context, four-port 100W GaN chargers from Anker and Ugreen typically start north of $35–$50 in Western markets. Asus undercutting that by roughly half — while still including foldable prongs, multiple safety protections (over-temperature, over-current, short-circuit), and a half-decent color lineup — is a notable shift for a brand more associated with premium laptops than budget accessories. It echoes a trend we’ve tracked elsewhere too, like the Portronics Adapto 100, where 100W GaN charging has steadily become more affordable and less of a luxury-only feature.
The Catch: It’s China-Only For Now
There’s no confirmed global rollout yet. The charger Asus currently sells in the UK and US is a different, three-port model with a less aggressive power split (65W primary instead of the a-bean’s dual 100W ports). Whether the a-bean makes the jump to international markets — and at what price after import costs — remains unannounced.
The Bottom Line
If the a-bean ever lands outside China close to its current price, it instantly becomes one of the better value-per-port GaN chargers on the market. For now, it’s a strong reminder that 100W four-port charging doesn’t have to come with a premium price tag — and a sign that Asus is willing to compete on cost, not just spec sheets.
Sources: Notebookcheck; Asus official China store (asus.com.cn).
