In the fast-paced modern world, smartphones have become essential for both our personal lives and work. However, battery anxiety often follows us closely—it’s frustrating when your phone runs out of power at a critical moment. Fortunately, fast-charging technology has rapidly advanced to meet this urgent need. But did you know? Different smartphone brands use different fast-charging protocols. These protocols act like the “codes” for charging, determining the speed and compatibility of the process. Next, let’s take a closer look at the fast-charging protocols used by major brands.
01
Apple Fast Charging Protocols
Apple 2.4A Fast-Charging Protocol: An early fast-charging technology introduced by Apple, mainly used in iPhone 6 to iPhone 7 models. It supports up to 12W of charging power and requires a charger compatible with the protocol and a USB-A to Lightning cable.
USB Power Delivery (USB PD): In recent years, Apple has focused on this protocol, starting with the iPhone 8. It offers higher charging efficiency and broader compatibility. High-end models like the iPhone 14 Pro Max support up to 29W of charging power. This requires a charger that supports USB PD and a Type-C to Lightning cable. By 2025, the entire iPhone lineup supports 35W PD fast charging, with Pro models reaching up to 45W.
02
Huawei Fast Charging Protocols
FCP (Fast Charge Protocol): Huawei’s early proprietary protocol using a high-voltage, low-current approach. The output spec is 9V 2A (18W), enabling fast charging without compromising battery life.
SCP (Super Charge Protocol): A later proprietary protocol from Huawei using a low-voltage, high-current strategy. Initial specs were 5V 4.5A or 10V 4A. Later, with charge pump technology, the current was increased to 8A for 40W supercharging. A dual-battery 65W version also emerged. By 2025, Huawei’s flagship models (like the Mate 70 series) exceed 100W charging and support the UFCS unified fast-charging protocol, enabling 44W cross-brand fast charging with Xiaomi, OPPO, and vivo chargers.
03
OPPO Fast Charging Protocols
VOOC Flash Charge: OPPO pioneered this low-voltage, high-current fast-charging protocol, initially rated at 5V 4.5A (22.5W). It offers better temperature control and efficiency compared to then-mainstream high-voltage protocols.
Super VOOC: An upgraded version, Super VOOC 2.0 uses dual battery series and a new charge pump tech to achieve 10V 6.5A (65W) super-fast charging. By 2025, OPPO’s new tech pushes peak charging to 200W, fully charging in 10 minutes. Some models support UFCS, but proprietary protocols still require dedicated chargers.
04
Xiaomi Fast Charging Protocols
Mi Turbo Charge: Xiaomi’s exclusive fast-charging protocol, an enhancement over USB PD and PPS. It offers various power levels ranging from 30W to 120W. In 2025, Xiaomi mass-produced models support 300W lab-level fast charging, reaching 50% in 5 minutes. The protocol is compatible with PD and UFCS, allowing cross-brand charger support.
05
vivo Fast Charging Protocols
Flash Charge: vivo’s fast-charging protocol used mainly in vivo and iQOO phones, offering 5V 4.5A (22.5W) and 11V 3A (33W) charging options. iQOO phones also feature Super Flash Charge with up to 44W power. By 2025, this may be upgraded to 200W, compatible with UFCS, and includes intelligent thermal management to monitor battery status in real-time and prevent overcharging.
06
Samsung Fast Charging Protocols
Adaptive Fast Charging (AFC): Samsung’s proprietary protocol dynamically adjusts voltage and current based on the device’s charge level and temperature. It offers efficient and safe charging with broad voltage compatibility, ensuring a stable process. By 2025, the Galaxy S25 series supports 45W PPS protocol.
07
Universal Fast Charging Protocols
USB Power Delivery (USB-PD): Developed by the USB Implementers Forum, this protocol is based on the USB Type-C interface and supports up to 240W charging. Through two-way communication between device and charger, it intelligently adjusts voltage and current for efficient and safe charging. It’s widely adopted by international brands like Apple and Samsung.
Qualcomm Quick Charge (QC): Mainly for devices with Qualcomm chips, such as those from Xiaomi and OnePlus. It uses parallel current sharing and dynamic voltage regulation to improve charging efficiency. From QC2.0 to QC5, power has increased to over 100W.
PPS (Programmable Power Supply): An extension of the USB-PD protocol offering finer control over voltage and current for dynamic, efficient charging. Widely used by brands like Xiaomi and Samsung.
UFCS (Universal Fast Charging Specification): A unified standard led by China. In 2025, UFCS 2.0 increases power compatibility to 80W, covering Huawei, Xiaomi, OPPO, vivo, Honor, and others. It breaks proprietary protocol barriers, allowing cross-brand fast-charging device sharing and reducing electronic waste.
As technology continues to evolve, fast-charging protocols are constantly being updated and improved. From initial isolated proprietary systems to today’s increasingly refined and integrated universal standards, fast-charging technology is moving toward higher power, greater safety, and better compatibility. In the future, we may no longer worry about mismatched chargers and phones, and enjoy the convenience of fast charging anytime, anywhere. These protocols are like shining stars in the vast river of technology, lighting up our smart lives and making every charge full of anticipation.
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