PD 3.0 and QC 3.0-PD 3.0 and QC 3.0 Are Not the Same as “Fast Charging”

PD 3.0 and QC 3.0 Are Not the Same as “Fast Charging”

While looking at various electronic devices, you may have seen the term “fast charging”. What does this have to do with PD 3.0 or QC 3.0? In a word, nothing. It’s simply a measurement of how fast a battery can charge. In general, a standard 1 amp charger charges at 5 watts, which is ordinary USB. Conversely, fast charging batteries can charge at 12 watts or higher.

The main advantage of fast charging is that you can charge very quickly when the battery is very low. Generally, you’ll see something along the lines of “one hour of use from 10 minutes of charging”. The reason you won’t see a rating for a full charge is that the speed drops as the battery fills. To maximize charge speed over the course of a full charge, you need PD 3.0 or QC 3.0 technology.

As you can see, PD 3.0 and QC 3.0 are similar, but remain distinct. They’re fundamentally different technologies. Which one is better? It really depends on your device. In theory, QC 3.0 is best for smartphones. By providing the exact voltage required, it allows you to maximize your battery’s performance. That said, it’s proprietary. Only certain Android phones currently support the technology. Unless you’re using one of these devices, you won’t be able to take advantage of QC charging. On the other hand, most modern smartphones support PD charging. These include all Apple phones starting with the iPhone 8.

PD charging is also ideal for laptops and other devices that require higher wattages. With support for up to 100 watts, you can charge while you’re using your device. Keep in mind, though, that not all PD chargers are created equal. Many don’t support 100 watts, which means they won’t work for all laptops. Again, check both your laptop’s specs and your charger’s in order to get the best results.

At the end of the day, whether you want PD charging or QC charging depends on what you’re trying to do. Either way, though, you’re looking at far superior performance to standard USB. As our devices grow more powerful, expect to see newer versions of these technologies in the future.