Here’s how they work to charge your phone in half the time of a typical charger.
While they might seem like a gimmick, quick chargers are a real thing and not just an upsell.
The bang out of tech used varies by manufacturer but Qualcomm’sQuick Charge 2.0is one of the most common.
Your phone includes a built-in regulator to prevent pumping too much power into the battery and frying it.
Which is not always the case.
AsExtremetech notes, not all chargers are created equal.
However, a typical USB 2.0 port will charge at 0.5 amps.
Even without branded “quick chargers”, some chargers can fill your battery faster than others.
you’ve got the option to think of this a bit like a bouncer at a bar.
Many newer devices include some form of Quick Charge capability, whether it’s enabled or not.
As we established earlier, the regulator inside your phone only allows so much power in at a time.
Quick Charge devices allow more than your typical chargers, without damaging the battery.
Now, that means two things.
You won’t harm your gadget, but it won’t charge any faster.
It also means that you may need to buy that special charger to go with your supported unit.
But keep in mind, this is essentially the same problem we discussed earlier with USB ports.
It will just take a little longer.
And that’s not a bad thing.
The Potential Downside of Quick Chargers
So, we know how quick chargers work.
But is it a good idea to use them?
From a safety perspective, you don’t have to worry about blowing up your phone or anything.
However, there are still some things you should be aware of.
While Quick Charge devices are built to be safe, they can still get quite hot.
For the last two days, I’ve tested theMotorola Turbo Chargeron the 2014 Moto X.
Each time I used the turbo charger, it got considerably hotter than it would from the normal charger.
While this isn’t catastrophic,excessive heat isn’t exactly goodfor thelong-term healthof your phone, either.
The effect tapers off about halfway through.Some manufacturers have a nasty habit of overstating the effect of quick chargers.
The reason, again, has to do with the regulator.
Think of it like a water balloon.
However, there’s another gear that can help with that:external battery packs.
For example, the Zendure Gridder iscurrently $25, while Motorola’s Turbo Charger costs $35.
So, Are Quick Chargers Worth It?
Calling them quick chargers is a marketing gimmick, but what they do isn’t.
If you have a supported phone and the right charger, you might charge your phone faster than before.
Ultimately, it won’t matter too much, though.
And we’ll have to find something else to overanalyze.
Photos byJim Bauer,Clement Gault,Raul Gonzalo, andJeff Youngstrom.
