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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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, my 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.

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.

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.

To further illustrate, consider the evolution of charging technology. Early USB chargers delivered fixed 5V at 0.5A or 1A, resulting in slow 2.5W to 5W charging. As smartphones grew more powerful, manufacturers sought faster charging methods. Qualcomm's Quick Charge 2.0 introduced higher voltages, while USB-C's adoption paved the way for USB Power Delivery. The USB-IF (Implementers Forum) standardized PD to allow up to 240W, enabling laptops to charge via USB-C. PPS, an extension of PD 3.0, allows fine-grained voltage adjustments (in 20mV steps) to optimize charging curves for modern lithium-ion batteries. This reduces stress and extends battery lifespan. GaN technology has revolutionized charger size – a 65W GaN charger can be smaller than a 30W silicon-based one, making it ideal for travel. Brands like Anker, Aukey, and Ugreen have embraced GaN.

When selecting a charger, you must also consider compatibility with various devices. A laptop typically requires 45W to 100W via USB PD, while most smartphones need 18W to 45W. Tablets fall in between. Multi-port chargers often share total wattage dynamically – for example, a 65W charger with two ports may deliver 45W to one device and 20W to another, but not 65W simultaneously. Some advanced chargers can reallocate power as devices are plugged or unplugged. Understanding these nuances prevents disappointment.

Another key point is that proprietary fast charging protocols are not always compatible with PD or QC. For instance, OPPO's SuperVOOC uses a proprietary voltage/current scheme; plugging a SuperVOOC phone into a regular PD charger will only charge at standard speeds. Similarly, some Android phones support multiple protocols – Samsung's Adaptive Fast Charging uses both PD and its own standard. Always check your device's specifications.

In recent years, wireless charging has also grown, but it faces similar confusion with standards like Qi and extended Qi2. However, for wired charging, the fundamentals remain the same: match the charger's output capabilities to your device's input limitations, and ensure cables are rated for the desired wattage (e.g., 100W rated for 5A).

Ultimately, by demystifying PD, PPS, QC, and GaN, you can make informed purchases. No longer will you overpay for wattage your phone can't use or buy a cheap charger that damages your battery. Armed with this knowledge, you'll save money and frustration, and your devices will charge as fast as they can, safely.

Source:MakeUseOf News