PD+QC3.0 Charger

PD 3.0 is a fast charging technology that was developed by the USB Implementers Forum. Because it’s an official part of USB technology, it can be supported by any manufacturer. No manufacturer has to pay extra licensing fees to incorporate PD 3.0 technology into their product. All they need to do is built the circuitry and the battery to the PD 3.0 specifications.

PD is short for “power delivery”. The technology is capable of delivering up to 100 watts of power, far more than any smartphone requires. However, this high wattage has some significant advantages. For instance, it can be used to power laptops. Apple’s new MacBooks all use it, and can even be used while they’re charging. This means you’re getting much better performance than you’d expect from a standard USB cable.

In addition to 100 watt power, there are four other wattage levels: 7.5, 15, 27, and 45 watts are all supported. Within each wattage level, there’s also support for various voltages. Just to use one example, in the 27-watt range, you can charge at 5, 9, or 15 volts. This makes the PD standard exceptionally versatile. Manufacturers can build a wide variety of devices, and still get top-tier performance.