Fast-Charging Phones

Should You Get a Smartphone With Fast Charging Support?

Fast-charging is fairly common nowadays. When does it come in handy?

• When you come back from work with an empty phone battery and need to leave again soon.
• When you have a limited time to charge (for example, at a campsite, at the hotel reception, or over lunch)
• When you use your phone constantly and need to recharge it over and over again during the day.

Fast Charging Technology in Smartphones

These days, you have many fast-charging technology solutions to choose from. Qualcomm Quick Charge is the most widespread, but many smartphone brands have developed their own fast-charging technologies, some including protection against overheating and battery damage.

Qualcomm Quick Charge

Qualcomm currently offers the 4th generation of Quick Charge technology, which is available on most newer smartphones and promises three times faster charging compared to standard phones. Compared to the 3rd generation, it also features advanced technologies to provide greater battery protection.

The values in the table are merely referential. Measured with a 3000 mAh battery.

Fast Charging Technology by Brand

Samsung

On all Samsung phones that support fast charging, you will find a revised version of Qualcomm Quick Charge called Adaptive Fast Charging. This cuts the charging time by half compared to normal charging.

Apple iPhone

iPhone 8 and later also have a fast-charging feature - in 30 minutes, your iPhone can recover up to 50% of its full battery capacity. However, you will need to purchase the necessary accessories, namely a USB-C/Lightning cable and a 18W or 29W USB-C adapter with the Apple MFI certification.

Huawei & Honor

Huawei and Honor both use their proprietary Kirin processors and SuperCharge technology. The 4200 mAh battery is 70% charged in about 30 minutes and reaches 100% in about an hour. Only the latest models have SuperCharge technology, however.

OnePlus

Chinese OnePlus phones include Warp Charge technology. It can charge a phone with a 3800 mAh battery to 70% in just 30 minutes and to 100% in less than an hour, making it one of the fastest charging phones available.

Adapter Performance Matters More Than You May Think

Each phone has a different maximum wattage for charging and it is important not to exceed this limit, otherwise you risk damaging your phone's battery. Therefore, we recommend buying an adapter with a listed wattage equal to the phone’s maximum wattage or lower. See the table for details.

Check out our Fast Chargers section, where you can choose the right charger for your fast-charging phone. Keep in mind that smartphones from Samsung, Huawei, OnePlus and many more are compatible with any Quick Charge 2.0+ adapter.

Wireless Fast Chargers

When it comes to performance, some wireless chargers can match even the best wired fast chargers. If you use your phone mostly at work or at home and don't want to be tied to the nearest outlet, a wireless charger is the right solution for you.

Other Important Parameters When Buying a Fast-Charging Phone

Display Size

The display size is a key parameter when choosing a phone. Do you want a large screen to watch videos on, or something smaller and compact?

• 4.5" to 4.9" means you get a decently sized display and the phone remains nice and compact.
• 5" to 5.5" displays are suitable for watching videos, viewing photos, and browsing the web.
• 5.5" and larger enters the so-called phablet territory, great for people who like to watch movies on their phone.

RAM

System memory determines how fast and responsive your apps are going to be. Generally speaking, the larger the RAM capacity, the better.

• 2GB is enough to run basic apps and light, casual games.
• 3GB to 4GB is ideal for frequent gaming and performance-intensive apps.
• 6GB or more will be appreciated by users who demand a lot from their phone. Over the next few years it will be enough to launch all applications and games.

Storage Capacity

Last but not least, the internal storage capacity for your data is also something to consider.

• 32GB is enough for ordinary users; you can store dozens of apps, a few games, and a small music collection.
• 64GB is medium-sized storage capacity, sufficient for dozens of games and apps, a photo gallery, and a few videos.
• 128GB or more means you can store hundreds of games, apps, music tracks, photos, and dozens of videos.