Introduction: All About Fast Charging

About: Electronics hobbyist and a DIYer and i love doing this stuff.

Fast charging standards explained.
Summary:

•Fast charging sends more electrical current to the battery, and that makes it charge quicker.

•Fast charging your device depends on your charger and cable you used.

•Fast charging is only effective if your phone was designed and capable of handling it. (Know what standard charging technology was used on your device by visiting your manufacturer’s hardware infos for your unit).

Step 1:

Fast charging technology arises and there are so many standard technology to fast charge your devices.,Unfortunately, there are a lot of different fast charging standards used by hardware manufacturers and while some are compatible with others, others are not.So which one will work for your device? and that made this fast charging technology thing a bit more complicated than before.And which one to get if your charger broke or lost.
The big question is can you DIY to achieve fast charging or do you have an options to use your old chargers ? YES,anyone can do it with a bit of knowledge in Watt’s law plus a less expensive additional device to use it on your old power adapter or charger with at least rated at 2.0 amp or above that still in working condition that don’t need replacement and i think this is more practical to achieve it rather than buying a new one.And i will explain it at the end of this instructables how i made it possible.

Step 2: STANDARD TYPES OF FAST CHARGING TECHNOLOGY

USB Power Delivery
USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) is the official fast charging specification published by the USB-IF (USB-Implementer’s forum back in 2012. The standard can be used by any device with a USB port, provided its manufacturer includes the necessary circuitry and software. Just like all fast charging standards, USB-PD implements a data protocol to communicate between the charger and phone. This negotiates the maximum tolerable power delivery for both the charger and handset.

Qualcomm Quick Charge 4 Qualcomm’s proprietary Quick Charge technology was once the default standard in the smartphone industry, as it popularized fast charging before USB Power Delivery. The latest 4.0+ revision of Quick Charge is compatible with Power Delivery, allowing for faster-charging speeds and a wider range of support.

Qualcomm Quick Charge 5 Qualcomm® Quick Charge™ technology is the number one method for fast charging.* Quick Charge 5 is world’s Fastest Commercial Charging Solution delivering astonishing charging speeds of up to 0-50% in five minutes while enabling new battery technology, accessories, and safety features. For more info’s Link here: https://www.qualcomm.com/products/features/quick-charge

Step 3: Other Fast Chargin Technologies Today

Other Fast charging technologies

•Oppo’s VOOC

•Huawei SuperCharge

•Oppo’s Super VOCC

•OnePlus’ Warp Charge 30T

•OnePlus’ Dash Charge

•Samsung Adaptive Fast Charging

•Apple fast charging

Step 4: Other Fast Charging Technologies Today

*OPPO’s VOOC
I. Oppo will license its VOOC charging technology to third-party makers-which is started in collaboration with accessory maker Anker, chip maker NXP Semiconductors and car maker FAW-Volkswagen.

VOOC(Voltage Open Loop Multi-step Constant-Current Charging)

For more info’s Link here: https://m.gsmarena.com/oppo_will_license_its_vooc_charging_technology_to_thirdparty_makers-amp-47889.php

*SUPER CHARGE II. Huawei SuperCharge is one of the fastest charging technologies in the world. Smart adjustment of the charging voltage raises charging efficiency by reducing unnecessary energy loss. For more info’s

Link here: https://consumer.huawei.com/en/support/content/en-us00409956/

*SUPER VOCC III. OPPO launches 125W flash charge, 65W AirVOOC wireless flash charge and 50W mini SuperVOOC charger. OPPO launches a new flash charge lineup with new high-power wired and wireless charging technologies as well as high-power ultra-small chargers, consolidating OPPO’s leading position in flash charge For more info’s Link here: https://www.oppo.com/en/newsroom/press/oppo-launches-125w-flash-charge-65w-airvooc-wireless-flash-charge-and-50w-mini-supervooc-charger/

*OnePlus’ WARP CHARGE 30T IV. OnePlus is quoting charging speeds going from flat to 50% in just 20 minutes with Warp Charge, and a full charge in under an hour. For more info’s Link here: https://www.androidcentral.com/warp-charge?amp

*OnePlus’ Dash Charge V. Dash Charge sets a new benchmark for quick charging solutions. A quick 30-minute charge will replenish over 60% of your OnePlus 3’s battery, allowing for 7+ hours of HD video playback. For more info’s Link here:

https://www.oneplus.in/3/dashcharge

*Samsung Adaptive Fast Charging

VI.Adaptive Fast Charging is the smartest option to charging your Samsung mobile devices. Not only is it speedy, but it knows when to stop charging to prolong the life of your battery. Simply charge your phone from any power outlet. Compatible with Samsung's range of fast charging chargers, you'll hardly run out of power. For more info’s Link here:

https://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/what-is/adaptive-fast-charging/

Apple’s Fast Charging VII. Apple’s take to fast charge your devices Fast charge your iPhone-Use fast charge with certain iPhone models. You can recharge your iPhone up to 50 percent battery in around 30 minutes.

You can fast charge your iPhone 8 and later up to 50 percent battery in around 30 minutes.

Fast charging works when you use an Apple USB-C to Lightning cable and one of these adapters: Apple 18W, 20W,2 29W, 30W, 61W, 87W, or 96W USB-C Power Adapter A comparable third-party USB-C power adapter that supports USB Power Delivery (USB-PD)

For more info’s Link here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208137

Step 5: The Best Fast IPhone Chargers

Best iPhone Chargers available in the market.

https://sea.pcmag.com/mobile-phone-accessories/40488/the-best-fast-iphone-chargers-for-2020?p=1

Step 6: Can I Use My Old Charger With High Ratings to Fast Charge My Smart Phone?

Yes if your phone supports it.Better check your phone manuals.

Step 7: Can You DIY It to Achieve Fast Charging?

My take on this,since i own an old iPhone 6S+ that isn’t supported as mentioned in the apple link above.I did it by using my old power adapter with output rating of 5vdc @ 2.0 amp.,i just bought another additional USB device that not only achieved fast charging my iPhone but do a lot more than a typical fast charger. This USB device is very useful as i used it to check 3 types of USB port,i used it as a USB buck and boost dc converter.That converts or step up and step down dc voltage.Yet more affordable than buying a new fast charger that can only fast charge a certain devices only.And i found out that cable charger that came with iPhone6S+ do not support more than 1amp charging.So i manage to get cheap yet MFI approved USB lightning in nylon braided cable that supports up to 2.4amp usb charging.It did worked for me and the job was done perfectly.,I do not felt any heat on my iPhone when i charged it while using it.And it did reached the 50% battery level from 20% low battery status in just 30 minutes.,(inactively & on standby mode).Eventually fully charged my iPhone 6S+ which is 20 minutes faster than typical charging using 5vdc @ 1 amp.And fully charge 30 minutes way faster if i set my iPhone on Airplane mode.

How much did it cost me? Very affordable!

Usb to lightning cable = P147.00 = $3.02

Usb tester = P243.00 = $5.00

Total = P390.00 = $8.02

Step 8: How Did I Made It?

•i used KWS-MX18 USB Charger Tester Current Voltage Battery Timing Meter & a 3rd party Fast Charging USB to lightning cable(CB-126)


•Simply calibrate using the USB tester button to step up dc voltage to a certain level which your charger supports. And in my case i set it to 5.49 vdc(yours might be different and do this before attaching it to your phone.(You will only need to set it up or calibrate it on the first time you use it,if you will usually use it for charging a certain phone.)

•insert it to power adapter charger then attached the MFI approved USB to lightning cable

•then i charge my iPhone

As picture shown here:

Step 9: Optional Only If You Are Interested to Know How It Delivers Power to Your Phone

•For easy computing the Watt’s Law•
Get the App:(optional only) (Ohm’s Law using App for iOS & Android)

https://apps.apple.com/ph/app/ohms/id919602622

Or manually compute using this formula:

Watt’s Law

Power(Watts) = Current(Amps) x Volts(V)

Amperes(Current)= Power(Watts) / Volts(V)

Volts(V) = Power(Watts) / Amperes(I)

*Other informative data images how a power adapter charges a certain smart devices today.

Step 10: Fast Charging Capable Phones Varies and Depends on Hardware Manufacturers.

•The best results are typically achieved by using the cable and charger supplied in the box with your handset,sadly my iPhone(2015 model) came with 1amp 5vdc charger.


“Pros & Cons” of Fast Charging

(Pros)

The initial advantage of this technology is that it increases the usability and mobility of devices that are meant to be transferred around. A quick charge makes larger batteries to be fully charge in less time. The last advantage is that fast charging technologies have hardware and software failsafe technologies and mechanisms.

(Cons) The Disadvantages of Fast Charging

With fast charging, people are less likely to care for their batteries extensively, which causes them to excessively charge and drain the batteries, shortening their lifespan. The second critical disadvantage is the way phones can overheat due to this phone charger technology if misused.

More Sources here:

How fast charging really works?

https://www.androidauthority.com/fast-charging-exp...

Can You Use Any Charger With Any Device?

The short answer is: most likely, though you’ll have varying results. read more here:

https://www.howtogeek.com/175734/htg-explains-can-...

Step 11: Best USB-C Accessories and Cables for 2021

Link here:

https://www.cnet.com/news/usb-c-brings-a-golden-age-of-charging-accessories-in-2021/

Step 12: Conclusions:

In conclusions,fast charging your devices varies on manufacturer’s hardware,how you use and abuse it,Choosing the right fast charger that suits your need is a bit complicated for most people who does’nt understand it in the first place.But for now,there’s no set of 1 official standard universally adapted by all smart device maker,and choosing the right one is another thing to know. And we’re stuck with multiple standards.In my honest opinion,i think maybe because of propriety of technology?Trade secrets of manufacturers? or the war between two leading OS in smart devices controls it? Or did i just missed something to mention here.


Thank you for taking time reading this instructables.Hoping it helps you find the right one to charge your beloved smart device.Any additional input would be a great help for all of us here in instructables.

Resources:
Apple official site

Android Authority site

Howtogeek site

Qualcomm official site

Oppo official site

Huawei official site

One Plus official site

Cnet official site

GSM Arena site

Android Central Site

PCMag site