Definition of Quick Charge

"Quick Charge" is the process of speeding up battery charging by increasing the voltage or current. It involves using a robust charger that fits within a device's safe charging limits to boost the charging pace and shorten the time it takes. With today's wide range of mobile phones, there are different charging approaches; wired and wireless quick charge standards don't match. But generally, for most devices, a charger or power bank needs over 18W power to be qualified as a quick charge accessory. When looking for quick charging equipment, make sure to satisfy three key aspects:

1. The phone itself must support quick charge.
2. The charging cable must be a quick charge cable. This can be verified by checking the maximum current label on the cable. For example, a USB-C cable that supports 3A or 5A is considered a quick charge cable.
3. The charger or power bank must support quick charge. The main quick charge protocols are divided into QC (Quick Charge) and PD (Power Delivery), which will be explained in detail later.

In short, for the best quick charging experience, the phone, charger, and cable specifications must all work together. It's important to verify that the quick charge standard aligns with your device before buying.

QC vs. PD Quick Charging: What's the Difference?

When shopping for a power bank, you'll come across 'QC' and 'PD' labels indicating quick charge capabilities. QC is mostly for Android devices, and PD is used primarily for charging iPhones. Besides some iPhones with a Lightning port, devices that support PD charge via a USB-C port. Since power banks are frequently used with phones, choosing the right technology for your phone's model is crucial.

QC by Qualcomm has reached version QC5, including the backward-compatible QC4.0+, which also caters to USB PD standards. As for PD, the latest PD 3.1 version allows charging power up to 240W, which covers more gadgets like tablets and laptops, thanks to the widespread use of the USB-C port.

Which One Should I Choose?

Selecting between QC and PD for a quick-charging power bank depends on several factors. USB-C use is increasing, making dual-support power banks for both QC and PD a great option. iPhone users, and those with a mix of gadgets such as tablets, should lean towards PD for its versatility, faster charging, and broader device compatibility including cameras and laptops.

Specification-wise, QC goes up to 100W and PD can push up to 240W, which is ideal for power-hungry equipment. While QC is made for Qualcomm-equipped devices and is used by roughly 30% of smartphones, PD's extensive compatibility outperforms QC.