Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
I’m old enough to remember when most smartphones topped out at 5W or even 10W charging speeds. In fact, my first proper Android phone was 2012’s Sony Xperia V, and it offered a mere 5W power level.
The world has moved on rapidly, with 45W, 65W, 80W, and even 120W charge speeds now available. But even so, some users still prefer slow charging. However, to be honest, I think most people don’t realize they want fast charging until they’ve actually used it.
How fast charging became a game-changer for me
The first phone that made me realize the value of fast charging was my HUAWEI Mate 20 Pro, which I bought in late 2018. The phone packed an impressive 40W charging speed, allowing me to get a full charge in about an hour. This power level also enabled a 70% charge in just 30 minutes. Either way, it changed the way I viewed charging as I quickly went from overnight or evening charging to spot charging whenever it was convenient.
This quickly became indispensable for work trips. It meant I could charge my phone for 15 to 30 minutes between events and meetings and be good to go for the rest of the day. Fast charging has become especially important on these trips as I often bring two or three phones, a laptop, a handheld console, and neckband earphones — but only one USB-C PD charger. It’s not an issue for fast-charging devices, but it does mean that a slow-charging device like my Pixel 7 Pro can become a bottleneck when I have a queue of gadgets that need a top-up.
Fast charging has changed the way I use my phone, especially when I'm traveling or about to leave the house.
I’m also a little spontaneous when it comes to grocery shopping, and fast charging has only encouraged this habit. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve decided to shop at the crack of dawn, only to realize my phone’s battery is low. That stops me in my tracks with my Pixel, but it’s not an issue with fast-charging devices like the vivo X200 Ultra. I can plug in, get dressed, put on shoes, use the bathroom, and have at least 20 to 30% extra juice when I need to leave.
Hadlee Simons / Android Authority
Another reason I came to this conclusion about fast charging was speaking to the people in my life. I bought two older POCO phones for my parents earlier this year, which offered ~67W wired charging speeds. “It charges fast!” they noted in surprise when I asked them about their phones a week later. This was also the slightly less surprised but still very positive refrain when I asked them how the phones held up after a month.
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