Buying a phone charger wasn't even something you had to think about back when brands were nice enough to include one in the box. Those days are mostly gone. And if you've gone charger shopping recently, you probably know how confusing it can get with all those wattage numbers and acronyms like PD, PPS, and GaN. I've been there too. But once you know what they each mean, picking the right charger gets a lot simpler.

Why buying the right phone charger can be confusing

It's no longer just about USB-A or USB-C

The biggest reason why buying a charger can be confusing is that almost every charger will technically work with your phone. It's no longer just about getting a charger with the right port. Yes, USB-C is everywhere, and it should've simplified things — but that hasn't happened. That means even if two chargers look identical, they might perform completely differently.

You can use a 5W charger from five years ago, and your phone will still charge. But "works" and "works correctly" aren't the same thing here. Beyond wattage, you need to see if the charger supports advanced charging tech like PD, PPS, and GaN. Again, your phone still will charge without these, but you might be leaving a ton of speed on the table, or paying a premium for wattage your phone can't even use.

The transition from micro-USB to USB-C was supposed to unify charging, but it introduced a new layer of complexity. While the connector is standardized, the power delivery protocols are not. This fragmentation means you can't assume any USB-C charger will fast-charge your device. Understanding the technologies behind the ports is essential for making an informed purchase.

USB PD, PPS, QC, and GaN all mean different things

A plain-English breakdown of each term

When buying a charger, you'll run into terms like PD, PPS, QC, and GaN on them. Each one essentially tells you what's special about the brick.

USB Power Delivery (USB PD) is a charging standard that lets a charger and your phone negotiate how much power gets delivered. So instead of supplying a fixed voltage, the charger and device can talk to each other and agree on the safest, fastest combination. Almost every modern Android phone supports it, and it's the reason why some chargers can fast charge your phone, laptop, and even a pair of earbuds without frying any of them.

USB PD has gone through several revisions. The original USB PD 1.0 specification was introduced in 2012, allowing up to 100W of power delivery over a USB-C connection. Later, PD 3.0 refined the negotiation process and added features like fast role swap. The latest PD 3.1 can deliver up to 240W, paving the way for charging even power-hungry gaming laptops. For smartphones, PD profiles typically cap at 18W to 100W, but most phones only need 15W to 45W for rapid charging.

Programmable Power Supply (PPS) does the same thing as USB PD, but slightly better. Instead of adjusting the power in phases, it does it continuously. That means a PPS charger can keep the heat low and efficiency high, which is good for long-term battery health.

PPS is an extension of USB PD 3.0, and it's especially useful for phones that support adjustable voltage charging. Instead of stepping between fixed voltage rails (like 5V, 9V, 15V), a PPS charger can vary the voltage in increments as small as 20mV. This fine-grained control allows the device to pull exactly the amount of power it needs at any given moment, reducing wasted energy and heat generation. Over a year of daily use, this can translate to less battery degradation compared to fixed-voltage charging.

Then there are proprietary technologies from different companies. For instance, Qualcomm has Quick Charge (QC) for phones running Snapdragon chips (though it is licensable by non-Snapdragon devices), and it comes in different versions, so you want to pick the highest one your phone supports. QC 2.0 introduced 9V/12V profiles, QC 3.0 added INOV (Intelligent Negotiation for Optimum Voltage) for better voltage control, QC 4.0+ added support for USB PD, and QC 5.0 pushes up to 100W+ charging.

Phone brands have their own protocols, like OPPO's SuperVOOC and Motorola's TurboPower. These typically need both the charger and the phone to be from the same brand to get those advertised charging speeds. SuperVOOC, for example, uses a higher current (low voltage) approach to achieve 65W or more without overheating. Similarly, Huawei's SuperCharge, OnePlus's Warp Charge, and Xiaomi's HyperCharge all rely on proprietary handshakes between charger and device.

Gallium Nitride (GaN) is a different thing entirely. It's not related to a charging protocol but rather the material used inside the charger itself. Traditional chargers use silicon components, but GaN chargers use a newer semiconductor that runs more efficiently and generates less heat. The obvious benefit of this is a charger that's significantly smaller and lighter for the same wattage.

GaN technology has revolutionized the charger industry. Where a 65W silicon-based charger might be the size of a small brick, a GaN equivalent can be slim enough to fit in a pocket without protruding much from the wall outlet. GaN also operates at higher frequencies, which allows the power conversion circuitry to use smaller transformers and capacitors. The result is a charger that is roughly 30-50% smaller and lighter than its silicon counterpart, while maintaining the same power output.

More watts don't always mean faster charging

Stop chasing the highest number

This is probably the most common mistake people make when buying a charger. Wattage isn't something the charger decides alone. Your phone has a maximum charging rate built into it, and it'll never exceed that, no matter what you plug in. For instance, a Galaxy S26 tops out at 25W, which means there's no point in buying a 45W charger. It'll be as effective as a 25W one.

There's another wrinkle. The wattage you see mentioned on the charger's box is a maximum output, not a guarantee of what each device will get. So if you get one of those multi-port chargers, don't expect it to charge all your devices at the maximum rate mentioned on the box. The charger will split the output between connected devices, and the exact split depends on the charger itself. So the short version is, check your phone's max charging wattage first, then buy a charger that matches it.

Let's say you have a 65W multi-port charger with two USB-C ports and one USB-A port. The spec sheet might say the single-port max is 65W, but with two devices plugged in, the power distribution could drop to 45W+18W or 30W+30W, depending on the charger's design. Some chargers even dynamically adjust the output as devices are connected or disconnected. Understanding this distribution pattern helps you avoid disappointment when charging multiple devices simultaneously.

Additionally, the charging speed isn't linear throughout the charge cycle. Most phones use a constant current/constant voltage (CC/CV) algorithm. They draw the maximum power only when the battery is between 0-70% capacity. Once the battery reaches 80%, the charger tapers the power to protect the battery. So even if you have a high-wattage charger, the last 20% will take much longer than the first 80%. This is normal and healthy for lithium-ion batteries.

The cable matters just as much

You can buy the perfect charger and still end up with slow charging if the cable doesn't keep up. If your phone and charger are both capable of 65W, but the cable maxes out at 15W, that's what you'll get. This usually isn't a problem, since most manufacturers still include the cable inside the box (at least for now). But yes, if you're using a spare one for your office or travel bag, don't just grab a random USB-C cable.

USB-C cables have an e-marker chip that communicates their power, data, and video capabilities. A cable rated for 60W might not support 100W PD. Similarly, USB 2.0 cables (often found in cheap accessories) can handle only 3A at most, while USB 3.1 Gen 2 cables can handle 5A. The cable's length also affects power delivery: longer cables have more resistance, which can reduce effective wattage. For high-power charging (over 60W), a cable shorter than 1 meter is recommended.

Finally, with both the charger and the cable, stick to a reputable brand. You might find a no-name charging brick or cable with the same specs on the packaging, but you'll have to take their word for it. There's a lot that these cheap chargers leave out, and it's not worth saving a few bucks to find out. Counterfeit chargers may lack proper safety certifications, such as UL, CE, or RoHS, and they often use substandard components that can overheat, short-circuit, or even catch fire. Investing in quality products from known brands like Anker, Belkin, Spigen, or the phone manufacturer itself ensures not only faster charging but also safety and longevity.

Source: MakeUseOf News