The standardization of USB-C across smartphones and other consumer electronics is probably the best thing about modern technology, but this regulation still has its limitations. Not all USB-C chargers are the same, and certain manufacturers lock charging protocols to their own devices, which often require specific chargers and cables.

USB-PD (USB Power Delivery) is one such protocol, widely used across the industry, but there's an extension of USB-PD called PPS (Programmable Power Supply) — a feature many people, including me, aren't familiar with. If your phone supports PPS, you may already be undercharging it without realizing, because cheap chargers aren't equipped with this protocol.

So what does PPS even do?

Think automatic transmission, not manual shifting

A phone plugged into a power bank that's plugged into the wall.
Christine Persaud / MUO

Typically, USB-PD offers a fixed set of voltage levels: 5V, 9V, 15V, or 20V, depending on your charger and device. The idea is that USB-PD gives fixed options to the device, allowing it to accept the one it needs. PPS differs in that it allows the device to adjust the voltage and current it needs rather than offering fixed presets.

Modern smartphone batteries adjust their current requirements over time, drawing high current during the initial charge cycle and gradually dropping off as the battery charges to minimize heat and prevent the battery from wearing out. For instance, a phone supporting PPS may charge at 5.5V or 8V, adjusting the voltage in real time depending on the battery's needs at that moment. A simple analogy for PPS charging is an automatic transmission, rather than the manual shifting of a standard USB-PD charger.

Quiz
8 Questions · Test Your Knowledge

The types of USB chargers
Trivia challenge

From bulky Type-A bricks to tiny USB-C ports — how well do you know the chargers powering your devices?

ConnectorsStandardsHardwareChargingHistory
01 / 8
Connectors

Which USB connector type is symmetrical, meaning it can be inserted either way up?

Correct! USB Type-C features a fully symmetrical, oval-shaped connector that works no matter which way you plug it in. This was one of its most celebrated design improvements over older USB standards, which required you to orient them correctly.
Not quite — the answer is USB Type-C. Unlike Type-A, Type-B, and Micro-B connectors, which all have a defined top and bottom, USB-C's symmetrical oval design means you can insert it in either orientation without issue.
02 / 8
Standards

What is the maximum power delivery wattage supported by the USB Power Delivery (USB PD) 3.1 specification?

That's right! USB PD 3.1, introduced in 2021, extended the maximum power delivery to 240W, up from the previous 100W ceiling. This makes it capable of charging power-hungry devices like high-performance laptops and even some workstations.
The correct answer is 240W. USB PD 3.1 dramatically raised the power ceiling from 100W to 240W when it launched in 2021. This extended USB-C charging viability to devices that previously required proprietary high-wattage adapters.
03 / 8
History

In what year was the original USB standard (USB 1.0) officially released?

Correct! USB 1.0 was officially released in January 1996 by a consortium of companies including Intel, Microsoft, IBM, and Compaq. It offered transfer speeds of 1.5 Mbps (Low Speed) and 12 Mbps (Full Speed), aiming to replace the tangle of serial and parallel ports on PCs.
The correct answer is 1996. USB 1.0 launched in January of that year, developed by a group including Intel and Microsoft to simplify PC peripheral connections. It wasn't until USB 1.1 in 1998 that widespread consumer adoption really began to take off.
04 / 8
Charging

What does the 'Quick Charge' technology developed by Qualcomm primarily do?

Spot on! Qualcomm Quick Charge works by negotiating a higher voltage and/or current between the charger and device, allowing more power to flow and significantly reducing charging times. Quick Charge 5, the latest iteration, can charge a 4,500mAh battery to 50% in just around five minutes.
Not quite — the answer is that Quick Charge negotiates higher voltage and current to speed up charging. It's a proprietary protocol built into compatible Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets and chargers that communicates to safely push more power than standard USB charging allows.
05 / 8
Connectors

Which USB connector was most commonly used for charging older Android smartphones before USB-C became standard?

Correct! USB Micro-B became the de facto charging connector for Android smartphones and many other portable devices throughout the 2010s. It was compact enough for slim phones and was even endorsed by the EU as a standard charging interface before USB-C took over that role.
The right answer is USB Micro-B. This small, trapezoidal connector dominated the Android smartphone market for over a decade. The EU actually mandated it as a common charger standard for a time, before later updating that mandate to cover USB-C instead.
06 / 8
Hardware

What is the key difference between a GaN charger and a traditional silicon-based USB charger?

Well done! GaN (Gallium Nitride) chargers use a semiconductor material that handles higher voltages more efficiently than silicon, generating less heat in the process. This allows manufacturers to build chargers that are significantly smaller and lighter than silicon equivalents at the same wattage.
The correct answer is that GaN chargers use gallium nitride semiconductors for greater efficiency and a smaller footprint. GaN handles electrical resistance better than silicon, meaning less energy is lost as heat — allowing for compact, high-wattage chargers that don't run dangerously hot.
07 / 8
Standards

Which USB specification introduced the iconic flat, rectangular Type-A connector that became standard on nearly every PC for decades?

That's correct! The Type-A connector was introduced with the very first USB 1.0 specification in 1996. It was designed as the 'host' connector to sit on computers and chargers, while Type-B was meant for peripheral devices. The same basic shape persisted all the way through USB 3.x.
The answer is USB 1.0. The flat rectangular Type-A connector debuted with the original USB specification in 1996 and became one of the most recognisable port shapes in computing history. Remarkably, its physical form remained largely unchanged across USB 1.0, 2.0, and 3.x generations.
08 / 8
Charging

When a USB charger port is colour-coded with a blue insert, what does this typically indicate?

Exactly right! The blue color-coding inside a USB Type-A port is the official visual indicator for USB 3.0 (and later USB 3.x) compliance, distinguishing it from the black or white inserts of USB 2.0 ports. USB 3.0 bumped transfer speeds from 480 Mbps to 5 Gbps (SuperSpeed).
The correct answer is that a blue USB port indicates USB 3.0 or higher. This colour coding was introduced as a simple visual cue to help users identify faster ports at a glance. USB 3.0 delivered a massive leap in data transfer speeds — from 480 Mbps under USB 2.0 to 5 Gbps — and the blue insert became its universal identifier.
Challenge Complete

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/ 8

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Does your phone even support PPS?

Nearly every modern Samsung and Google phone supports PPS — here's how to check

Hand holding Samsung Galaxy S26
Pankil Shah / MakeUseOf

Most flagship Android smartphones in recent times support PPS — particularly those running Qualcomm Quick Charge 4 and 4+. The Samsung Galaxy S series from S20 onward, Google Pixel 6 and newer, and Nothing phones are notable examples of smartphones that support PPS.

Newer models like the Samsung S26 Ultra come equipped with higher battery capacities, like 5,000mAh, in which case voltage precision matters a lot. Using a non-PPS charger will produce more heat, which will degrade your battery capacity and force your phone's power management IC to work overtime.

Still, if you're not sure whether your phone supports PPS, you can always check GSMArena for your phone's official specifications and search for PPS to confirm. Alternatively, phrases like USB-PD 3.0/3.1 in the specifications are strong indicators that the phone supports this protocol since PPS debuted with USB-PD 3.0.

Here's the PPS charger I switched to

Since we're discussing buying a new charger, why not switch to GaN?

I always carry two phones, and after losing my Galaxy S20 to a rookie mistake, I got a used Galaxy S23. Unfortunately, I had been unknowingly charging my phone at a reduced wattage for at least a month before I even knew what PPS was. Regardless, after finding out, I had to look up a newer charger, one that actually supports this feature.

You would need a charging brick that explicitly supports PPS, not just one that has a higher wattage ceiling. PPS chargers differ from high-wattage chargers in that they continuously adjust the voltage. This also doesn't exclude the need for a decent USB-C cable, one rated at least 3A.

Since I was already looking for a new charger, I opted for a GaN charger that uses gallium nitride instead of silicon as the semiconductor, ultimately providing more efficient charging. I got a Baseus 240W Digital GaN Charger, which features 1x DC port, 1x USB-A port, and 3X USB-C ports with USB-PD and PPS support. Shifting to a GaN charger has been one of the best investments I've made in recent times, helping me reduce the clutter on my desk and create a single charging point for all my devices.

Baseus 240W Digital GaN Charger
Baseus 240W Digital GaN Charger
8/10
Brand
Baseus
Output
240W
Input
110-240V~, 50/60Hz, 3.5A max
Color
Black

The Baseus 240W Digital GaN Charger adds several smart features to the desktop charger. It connects to your phone via the Baseus app, allowing you to set timers, monitor charge status, and even remotely switch on or off individual ports.

See at Amazon

Your phone deserves better than a dumb charger

USB-C has many variants for charging, despite being a standardized charging protocol across nearly every modern device. Even if you've found out that your phone supports PPS, you might still be slow-charging your phone because of the charger, which becomes a limiting factor. Since modern flagship smartphones don't even come with chargers in the box, most users don't bother replacing them and keep using their outdated USB-C chargers, unaware they lack the charging speeds new phones need. I had been using my 5-year-old USB-C charger to charge my Samsung Galaxy S23, degrading my phone's battery until I learned about the PPS protocol. I regret not knowing earlier.