Fast charging technology

Quick Charge 3.0 is the third generation of this technology and is the first of its kind to employ Intelligent Negotiation for Optimum Voltage (INOV), a new algorithm developed by Qualcomm Technologies, designed to allow portable devices the ability to determine what power level to request at any point in time for optimum power transfer, while maximising efficiency. With Quick Charge 3.0 you can charge a typical phone from zero to 80% in about 35 minutes compared to conventional mobile devices without Quick Charge that may typically require almost an hour and a half.

With, INOV and other advancements, Quick Charge 3.0 is designed to be up to 38% more efficient than Quick Charge 2.0, while also implementing additional steps to help protect battery cycle life. Additionally, when used with Qualcomm Technologies’ latest, advanced parallel charging configurations, Quick Charge 3.0 can help improve fast charging by up to 27% or reduce power dissipation by up to 45% when compared to Quick Charge 2.0.

Available now, Quick Charge 3.0 will be featured as an option on select Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, including Snapdragon 820, 620, 618, 617 and 430, and is anticipated to appear in mobile devices launched next year. Qualcomm Snapdragon processors are products of Qualcomm Technologies.

“We are significantly enhancing the capabilities and benefits offered by Quick Charge 3.0 to bring robust fast charging technology to all,” said Alex Katouzian, Senior Vice President, Product Management, Qualcomm Technologies. “Quick Charge 3.0 addresses a primary consumer challenge with today’s mobile devices in helping users restore battery life quickly and efficiently, and does so through leading technology and a robust ecosystem including leading device and accessory OEMs.”

Additional improvements offered by Quick Charge 3.0 include enhanced flexibility over Quick Charge 2.0, notably in terms of charging options. While Quick Charge 2.0 offers four charging voltages at 5, 9, 12 and 20V, Quick Charge 3.0 provides flexibility with 200mV increments from 3.6 to 20V. This allows the phone to request just enough voltage to reach the desired charge current, resulting in minimised losses, increased efficiency, and improved thermal performance.

“LG Electronics featured Quick Charge 2.0 in our recent smartphone designs and the reaction from the public was very positive,” commented Dr. Sang G. Kim, AVP, LG Electronics. “At its core, LG strives to design devices that deliver an unbeatable user-experience. Qualcomm Technologies’ solution is well aligned with that philosophy and fast charging has quickly become one of the more popular device features. Qualcomm Technologies’ solution is also generations ahead of others and we look forward to offering Quick Charge 3.0 to our customers to give them a full charge faster and with increased efficiency.”

Quick Charge 3.0 also maintains forward and backward compatibility with previous versions of Quick Charge as well as with connectors, including USB Type-C, as well as the same ultra-fast charging speed, cable independence offering OEMs several options, and UL certification to help meet quality and safety standards.

Quick Charge 3.0 is implemented with minimal changes to current designs, offering OEMs a low cost option for fast battery charging. Operators and OEMs benefit from the established Quick Charge ecosystem with over 20 OEMs already supporting Quick Charge 2.0, and over 90 available accessories. The fast charging technology is mandated by several operators with active support from other operators and retailers.