The industry of power electronics is undergoing a rapid transition, with Gallium Nitride, or GaN, at its core. GaN is quietly transforming the systems we depend on a regular basis, whether it’s enabling electric cars to charge faster, reducing our energy waste (increasing efficiency) in data centers, or reducing the size of power supplies across application markets. GaN is now stepping up to meet the power demands of the future – smarter, faster, and more efficiently – even though silicon has long been the preferred material for semiconductors.

At WAWT (Wired and Wireless Technology), we’ve been watching this technology space closely – and we believe GaN is one of the most exciting developments in modern power electronics and systems.

What is GaN technology?

Gallium nitride (GaN) is a semiconductor material that has been around since the 1990s but has recently become important of power electronics. GaN has a larger bandgap than regular silicon (Si), which has long been the preferred material in electronics.

This basically means it can handle more voltage, operate at higher frequencies, switches swiftly across power levels, and withstand hotter temperatures – all without losing performance.

What Makes GaN So Special?

Let’s break it down simply. Traditional silicon power devices are good – but they have reached them.

1. Higher Efficiency and Power Density

Because GaN can switch faster and conduct electricity more efficiently than silicon, it dramatically reduces energy loss. This is a game-changer in applications like power supplies, where every bit of wasted energy ends up as unwanted heat.

For example, GaN-based smartphone and laptop chargers are not only more compact but also charge faster and stay cooler – solving three problems at once.

2. Smaller and Lighter Devices

GaN makes it feasible to fit more power into a smaller space. Due to this, GaN-based chargers, inverters, and adapters are smaller than their silicon-based equivalents. For devices like wearables, smartphones, drones, and electric vehicles (EVs), where every gram and cubic millimeters matters, continuous shrinking (nano-fiction) is essential.

3. Better Thermal Performance

GaN has become more heat-resistant than silicon. Devices survive longer and don’t need large heat sinks because they remain cooler under load. This leads to major efficiency increases across sectors like industrial automation, automotive as well as datacentres, medical, lighting and other industry.

4. Ideal for High-Frequency Use

GaN is suitable for satellite communications, radar systems, and 5G since it shines at high frequencies. It makes it possible to transmit signals more effectively and with greater power, which is precisely what (near) future wireless networks require.

GaN technology delivers all of this – and more.

It allows technologists to develop lighter and more reliable devices, handles more power without overheating, and switches more quickly than silicon. For sectors that require both performance and space savings, this is revolutionary.

Real-World Applications of GaN

GaN isn’t just a cool idea – it’s already being used across many industry sectors:

Electric Vehicles (EVs)

In EVs, GaN enables faster charging, smaller power converters, and more efficient inverters. This means lighter cars, longer driving ranges, quicker top-ups at charging stations and low battery anxieties. Automakers are embracing GaN to optimize performance without compromising on space or cost.

Fast Charging Adapters

You’ve probably seen small, powerful chargers claiming to be “GaN-powered.” That’s because GaN lets manufacturers shrink charger size while increasing wattage. A GaN charger can power up your phone or laptop much faster than a bulky traditional one.

5G & Communication Infrastructure

GaN is a key player in 5G base stations and RF amplifiers. It delivers the high-frequency, high-power performance needed for faster and more reliable wireless communication. As 5G rolls out globally, expect GaN to be behind the scenes, keeping signals strong and energy use low.

Defense and Aerospace

GaN’s high-temperature tolerance and power density give them a significant advantage in extreme conditions like the military and aerospace. It is utilized in military gadgets, satellites, and radar surveillance systems where reliability and performance are important.

Smart Grids and Renewable Energy

GaN provides more effective energy conversion in solar inverters and wind turbine systems. It also contributes to smart grids by minimizing losses and enhancing the transmission of electricity. GaN will be a key part of the technology stack as we move toward renewable energy sources, be it wind, solar or hydrogen power.

Data centres

GaN is also gradually gaining adoption across power supply solutions used across servers, storage and networking applications – be it high power applications, switching needs, minimizing sizes, and many other benefits.

GaN and SiC: Better Together in Power Electronics

We often hear the question, “What about Silicon Carbide (SiC)? Is it better than GaN?”

The truth is – they are both valuable, but in different ways.

• GaN excels at low-to-mid voltage applications (100V–650V, possibly advancing to 800V), where speed and size matter – like chargers, adapters, and onboard EV power electronics.
• SiC shines in high-voltage scenarios (above 1.2 kV), like EV drivetrains and power grids, where toughness and thermal strength are critical.

Together, GaN and SiC are replacing old silicon designs and creating a new era of smarter, cleaner energy.

What’s Next for GaN?

We are just scratching the surface of GaN’s potential. As manufacturers improve their production processes and costs come down, we will see wider adoption across consumer electronics, automotive, aerospace, and more.

Market forecasts show that GaN power device sales are set to grow rapidly over the next few years. And as they do, companies that embrace this shift early will gain a serious edge in innovation and efficiency.

WAWT’s Perspective: Making Sense of the GaN Evolution

At WAWT, we specialize in helping companies understand the latest technologies that are reshaping power and electronics. Whether you’re a device manufacturer, OEM/ODM, or part of the supply chain, we offer insight, strategy, and research to help you stay ahead in the GaN race.

From comparing GaN vs. SiC to identifying the right suppliers or understanding global adoption trends, we have got you ‘insightfully’ covered. Our comprehensive research provide accurate market size estimates and forecast for the next five years.

GaN is transcending its early image as a high-performance replacement for silicon and is now finding its way as a scalable and commercially proven solution in power electronics. Its capacity to provide enhanced efficiency, miniaturization, and thermal performance corresponds to the wider industry mandates of energy optimization and system miniaturization.

For all stakeholders along the value chain of power supply – OEMs/ODMs, semiconductor companies, other component manufacturers, and institutional investors alike – GaN poses both a threat and an opportunity. 

About Wired and Wireless Technologies (WAWT)

WAWT (Wired and Wireless Technologies), a strategic technology analyst and consultancy firm, specializes in the wireless power and power supply industry. Its comprehensive research and reports on the power supply industry, i.e. our flagship report titled “Global AC-DC and DC-DC Merchant Power Supply Market Report” and “External Power Adapters and Chargers Market Report”, offer critical market data, trends, insights, and market intelligence. It provides the latest market size estimates and forecasts of the total power supply market and it application markets, benefiting companies across the power supply ecosystem. The report analyses the market across various segments – by product; by application sector (including servers, storage, networking, data centers, telecom, medical, industrial, lighting, railways, consumer electronics etc.); by region; by power class and other segments; and includes a detailed competitive market share estimates of regional and global power supply vendors. Furthermore, it ranks all profiles of power supply companies based on their revenues across industry sectors and application markets.

WAWT‘s report is an invaluable resource for businesses seeking to understand the power supply market landscape, make informed decisions, and stay competitive in this dynamic industry. Feel free to contact our subject matter experts (SMEs) by emailing [email protected] and following our LinkedIn page (WAWT) for the latest market trends, insights, and updates on power supplies and allied technologies.