Fast charging technologies are becoming increasingly common, and Quick Charge is one of the most frequently used. Qualcomm® Quick Charge technology powers your devices faster than conventional charging, allowing you to spend less time connected to outlets. Learn how it works and how to keep your devices safe when fast charging.
Another popular form of fast charging is USB-PD, you can learn more about USB-PD, here.
When paired with compatible devices, a Quick Charge-enabled charger delivers more power, allowing the connected device to charge faster. As one of the most widely used of the fast charging technologies, Quick Charge is already in many of your favorite smartphones. If your smartphone is Quick Charge 3.0-compatible, you can charge up to 80% in just 35 minutes.*
To futureproof your chargers, each new Quick Charge generation is backwards compatible, meaning it will work with the generations that came before. In addition, Quick Charge 4+ is expected to work with USB Power Delivery, enabling Quick Charge accessories to fast charge a wider array of devices.
*Charge up to 4 times faster than conventional 5W chargers. Based on Qualcomm® Quick Charge™ internal tests charging a 2750mAh fast charge battery (1.5C charge rate) and using the maximum power for a thermal limit of 40C for all charging implementations. Charge time based on 0% to 50% (August 2015).
While smartphone designs have evolved to utilize higher capacity batteries alongside larger screens, USB charging was limited to 5V and 1.5A (7.5W). Quick Charge 2.0 was introduced in 2014 to overcome this limitation by enabling supported devices to accept a higher charge level when paired with a Quick Charge compatible charger. Quick Charge has continued to evolve, making the charging process even faster and more efficient, while ensuring a safe charge that protects battery life.
Quick Charge 3.0 was introduced in 2015 to sustain high power delivery for charging while also making sure that power transfer was as efficient as possible. The latest evolutions, Quick Charge 4 and 4+ will be universal, allowing them to work with any fast charging-enabled device.
*Charge up to 4 times faster than conventional 5W chargers.
Based on Qualcomm® Quick Charge™ internal tests charging a 2750mAh fast charge battery
(1.5C charge rate) and using the maximum power for a thermal limit of 40C for all charging
implementations. Charge time based on 0% to 50% (August 2015).
**Based on internal tests charging a 2750mAh fast charge battery and using the maximum
power for a thermal limit of 40° C for all charging implementations. Charge times based on 0% to
50% utilizing 2017 charging implementations (September 2016). Certain Qualcomm ® Snapdragon
mobile platforms are designed to allow devices to support 50% battery life with 15 minutes of
charging. Charging speed dependent on device capabilities. Actual results may vary depending on
device design.
Always look for the Quick Charge logo when buying an accessory for your Quick Charge-compatible device. This certification ensures that the charger meets Qualcomm’s standards for performance and safety. With a charger that’s not Quick Charge certified, there’s increased risk of shorting or overheating, which can damage both your device and charger.
Your charger may get warm while powering devices, but if it’s certified Quick Charge compatible, there’s nothing to worry about. These certifications mean a series of safety measures have been taken. A controller chip regulates the flow of electricity to your battery, ensuring there aren’t any dangerous spikes in the current while temperature and voltage controls keep your charger running within safe parameters.
In addition to Quick Charge certification, it’s important to make sure your charger is compliant with all local regulations. These differ from country to country where regional testing labs confirm compliance.
Charging a battery is one of the factors that affects its life. After hundreds of charging cycles, a device’s battery life will shorten, no matter what charger you are using. Quick Charge includes Battery Saver technology which is designed to get the longest useful life possible from your device’s battery.