Quick Charge 5+: Qualcomm promises cooler, faster charging

Qualcomm has updated its Quick Charge fast charging technology for the first time in five years. Quick Charge 5 from 2020 has now been followed by Quick Charge 5+ – which does not promise a further boost in charging performance. Instead, the US company wants to achieve cooler, faster charging.

Like the previous generation, Quick Charge 5+ once again supports charging speeds of over 100 W, allowing a 4,500 mAh battery to charge from zero to 50 percent in around five minutes. In contrast to the five-year-old version, the new one should ensure a cooler and more efficient power supply. According to Qualcomm, smartphones can be charged with 20 V/7 A at a charging power of up to 140 W, provided they support it.

Less heat build-up during charging

This new approach for Qualcomm aims for Quick Charge 5+ to offer "lower device temperatures, improved battery performance and stable performance, as well as longer battery health". According to Qualcomm, other fast charging solutions generate more heat due to higher voltages, which in turn leads to charging speeds being reduced earlier to keep devices cooler.

As Android Authority notes, Qualcomm is not the first company to rely on lower voltage: Oppo's or Oneplus' proprietary Vooc charging technology also takes this approach: it says this makes it possible to deliver a charging power of 120W at 11V/11A or 80W at 11V/7.3A. The fact that Qualcomm is now pursuing this approach is welcome, given the company's presence and the compatibility of Quick Charge with USB PPS (Programmable Power Supply).

According to Qualcomm, Quick Charge 5+ is backwards compatible with previous QC standards up to Quick Charge 2. The chip developer adds that the chips to be unveiled at the Snapdragon Summit later this month will also support the new charging standard. The first accessories with Quick Charge 5+ will be launched on the market later this year.

(afl)