USB-C Charging Protocols Explained: PD, PPS, Quick Charge, SuperVOOC and More

USB-C has made charging simpler in some ways, but understanding charging protocols can still be confusing.

Have you ever connected a 100W charger to your phone only to discover it charges no faster than a 20W charger?

The reason is usually the charging protocol.

In this guide, we’ll explain the most common USB-C charging standards and what they mean for your smartphone, tablet, laptop and accessories.

---

What Is a Charging Protocol?

A charging protocol is the language spoken between a charger and a device.

When you connect a phone to a charger, they negotiate:

• Voltage
• Current
• Maximum power
• Safety limits
• Temperature protection

If both devices support the same protocol, charging can occur at the highest supported speed.

If they don’t, charging falls back to a slower standard mode.

---

USB Power Delivery (USB PD)

USB Power Delivery, often called USB PD, is currently the most widely adopted USB-C charging standard.

It is supported by:

• Apple iPhones
• Apple iPads
• MacBooks
• Google Pixel phones
• Samsung Galaxy devices
• Nintendo Switch
• Many Windows laptops
• Power banks
• USB-C monitors

Common USB PD Power Levels

Voltage	Current	Power
5V	3A	15W
9V	3A	27W
12V	3A	36W
15V	3A	45W
20V	5A	100W

Newer USB PD 3.1 chargers can deliver up to 240W.

Advantages

• Universal compatibility
• Safe negotiation
• Works across many brands
• Required for many modern devices

Disadvantages

• Not always the fastest option for some Android manufacturers

---

Programmable Power Supply (PPS)

PPS is an extension of USB Power Delivery.

Instead of using fixed voltage steps, PPS allows the charger to continuously adjust voltage and current.

This improves:

• Charging efficiency
• Heat management
• Battery longevity

Devices Using PPS

• Samsung Galaxy S25 Series
• Samsung Galaxy A56
• Google Pixel devices
• Many modern USB-C chargers

Why PPS Matters

Samsung’s 45W Super Fast Charging requires PPS support.

Without PPS, many chargers will charge Samsung devices at reduced speeds.

This is one of the most common causes of customers reporting slow charging despite owning a high-wattage charger.

---

Qualcomm Quick Charge (QC)

Quick Charge was developed by Qualcomm.

Before USB Power Delivery became common, Quick Charge was one of the most popular fast-charging standards.

Versions

Standard	Maximum Power
Quick Charge 2.0	18W
Quick Charge 3.0	18W
Quick Charge 4+	27W
Quick Charge 5	100W+

Devices Using Quick Charge

• Older Android phones
• Qualcomm-powered devices
• Some power banks

Current Relevance

Most modern smartphones now prioritise USB PD and PPS, reducing reliance on Quick Charge.

---

SuperVOOC

SuperVOOC was developed by OPPO and is also used by OnePlus and Realme.

This technology focuses on delivering extremely high charging speeds.

Common SuperVOOC Speeds

Power
65W
80W
100W
120W

Advantages

• Extremely fast charging
• Low charging times
• Excellent thermal management

Important Limitation

Maximum charging speed often requires:

• A compatible SuperVOOC charger
• A compatible cable
• A compatible phone

Using a standard USB-C charger may result in significantly lower charging speeds.

---

Warp Charge

Warp Charge is OnePlus’ branding for charging technology based on VOOC and SuperVOOC platforms.

Depending on the phone generation, charging speeds may vary between:

• 30W
• 65W
• 80W
• 100W

Many newer OnePlus devices now use SuperVOOC branding.

---

Xiaomi HyperCharge

Xiaomi uses its own charging technology called HyperCharge.

Common Speeds

Power
67W
90W
120W

Xiaomi devices often achieve maximum charging speeds only when paired with compatible chargers and cables.

---

Can Any USB-C Cable Handle Fast Charging?

No.

Many consumers assume every USB-C cable is identical.

This is not true.

Common USB-C Cable Ratings

Cable Rating	Maximum Power
3A Cable	60W
5A E-Marked Cable	100W
USB PD 3.1 E-Marked Cable	240W

A low-quality or incorrectly rated cable can become the bottleneck in a charging setup.

---

Why Doesn’t My 100W Charger Charge My Phone at 100W?

A charger can only provide power.

The phone decides how much power it wants to receive.

For example:

Device	Maximum Charging Speed
iPhone 16 Pro Max	~30W
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra	45W
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL	37W
OnePlus 13	100W
Redmi Note 14 Pro+	120W

Connecting an iPhone to a 100W charger will not make it charge at 100W.

The iPhone will still draw approximately 27W to 30W.

---

Which Charging Protocol Should You Choose?

For most consumers, USB Power Delivery with PPS support is currently the safest recommendation.

A good USB-C PD + PPS charger will work well with:

• iPhone
• Samsung
• Google Pixel
• iPad
• MacBook
• Windows laptops
• USB-C accessories

If you own a OnePlus, OPPO, Xiaomi or Realme device and want maximum charging speed, using the manufacturer’s recommended charger is often the best choice.

---

Final Thoughts

USB-C has significantly improved charging compatibility, but charging speed still depends on more than just the wattage printed on a charger.

To achieve maximum charging performance:

1. Use a compatible charging protocol.
2. Use a quality charger.
3. Use a correctly rated USB-C cable.
4. Verify your device’s maximum supported charging speed.

Understanding charging protocols helps you avoid buying accessories that cannot deliver the performance your device is capable of achieving.