Comparing PPS vs PD vs QC Specifications and Differences

This post compares the PPS vs PD vs QC charging tech to understand the standards better.

Also Read: USB PD 3.1 vs 3.0 – What’s New?

Mobile devices are increasingly becoming power-hungry, and their power consumption values are significantly increasing. This gives rise to the need for fast charging. Every year devices like smartphones, tablets, etc., are getting more powerful.

Along with the processing speeds, the battery size is also increasing. Since heavy workload and day-to-day activities depend on these tools, the battery performance suffers greatly. So, efficient and safe fast charging is inevitable.

To meet this requirement, the Programmable Power Supply (PPS) was implemented to both the prevalent fast-charge standards, namely Quick Charge (QC) 4.0 and Power Delivery (PD) 3.0. In 2017, the USB-IF included PPS fast charging to USB PD 3.0 standard.

As a result, it created a combined solution for today’s fast-charging devices. In the same year, Qualcomm’s QC 4.0 was combined with the PPS standards, which resulted in a combined charging scheme.

Besides consumer products like laptops and mobile phones, PPS fast charging can also be used in power tools, servers, displays, and security POE power supplies.

Let’s get into in-depth details of PPS:

Programmable Power Supply (PPS):

PPS fast charging is regarded as the most innovative charging technology to charge USB-C devices. This technology adapts to the current and voltage in real-time, based on the charging status of an appliance. As a result, it feeds it with the maximum power.

PPS enables data transfer every 10 seconds. Therefore, it facilitates a dynamic fine-tuning of the output current and voltage depending on the conditions of the end device’s specifications.

In other words, it is a power supply that uses the USB PD protocol output to regular current and voltage. Moreover, this specification integrates the dominant two charging modes of low current and high voltage and high current and low voltage.

Furthermore, the PPS specification decreases the voltage amplitude modulation to 20mV (it is just one-tenth of QC3.0 standard; the voltage regulation is more accurate.)

To understand better, for example, while using a wall charger to charge your device’s battery, the voltage supply is transmitted to a battery charge control circuit.

Moreover, the corresponding system offers the appropriate current and voltage to charge the battery in your device. This works well when the system is standardized, but this is not the case every time.

After detecting the charging status of your device every few seconds, the PPS technology automatically adjusts to guarantee the most efficient power utilization. Also, it reduces the generated heat and maintains the lifespan of your device’s battery.

The primary benefit of using the PPS charging method is that it can continue fast charging without raising the expense of the cable. Once the battery gets charged, it generates enormous heat in your phone.

List of the devices that support PPS:

• Samsung Galaxy 20
• Samsung Galaxy Note 10
• Samsung S20 Ultra
• Samsung S21
• Few laptop models support PPS

After understanding the overview and benefit of PPS, the question may arise, i.e., what changes it brings. Read the below section to know more:

What modifications did PPS bring?

PPS extends the USB interface’s output voltage range from 5V to 3.0V~21V.

The variable voltage range of PPS is 20mV. This range can obtain low-voltage and high-current direct charging.

PPS uses a pulsation system to guarantee the safety of the charging process. After the PPS operates in the high current mode, protection becomes so essential.

Hence, the PPS protocol specifies that for a minimum of every 10 seconds, there is a pulsating communication between the adapter and the load. This communication should be maintained to ensure the charging process stays in control.

Difference between PPS, PD, and QC:

Let’s get more details about PD and QC charging standards:

PD Charging:

It can be used to charge laptops. For example, Apple’s latest MacBooks use it and can also be used when they are charging. It implies that you are receiving relatively better performance than you can anticipate from a standard USB cable.

Moreover, it delivers high-speed charging with adjustable voltage using intelligent device negotiation technology. This feature helps devices negotiate a power agreement to know how much power they can derive from a PD charger.

Apart from 100W power, PD Charging supports four other wattage levels. These levels are 7.5, 15, 27, and 45W. At every wattage level, there’s also support for various voltages.

PD is invented to let devices fast-charge on a USB connection. Its latest version, i.e., PD 3.0, is known as one of the most recognized fast charging protocols.

Note that PPS is the newest addition to the PD 3.0 standard. Also, PD and PPS protocols work flawlessly together in which PPS can renegotiate the non-standard voltages and currents between the charger and the device.

USB-C PD is the fast-charging technology supported by some Apple/iOS and Samsung/Android/Google devices, which deliver higher power levels than standard charging.

The maximum available power is 100W, so USB-C PD can charge huge devices like laptops and tablets. You require an appropriate wall charger and a USB-C cable—no need to use bulky laptop power cables.

PD charging is also perfect for laptops and other devices requiring higher wattages.

QC Charging:

Qualcomm Company which designs mobile CPUs invented QC Charging standard. This standard offers backward compatibility. This implies that a QC 3.0 device can be fast-charged with a QC 4+ charger.

Note that QC 5 is the newest standard available in the Quick Charge technology. It can recharge smartphones up to 50% capacity in five minutes.

The reason behind the wide popularity and high significance of the QC charging standard is that it needs a license. If a manufacturer doesn’t want to pay Qualcomm’s licensing fee, they can’t integrate QC 3.0 technology. Consequently, many devices that support PD charging can’t support QC charging.

QC charging technology can power your devices much faster than traditional charging, so you need to spend less time keeping outlets connected. One of the most extensively used fast charging technologies, the Quick Charge is already found in many of your favorite smartphones. For example, if your smartphone is QC 3.0-compatible, then it can charge up to 80% capacity in just 35 minutes.

QC 3.0 is identical to PD 3.0 because it provides enhanced charging performance to the standard USB. Like PD 3.0, the device and the charger should be compatible with QC 3.0 to let it work.

If your phone supports QC 3.0 technology but your charger doesn’t, you can’t attain any advantage. If you are charging an older phone via a QC 3.0 charger, you would only charge at standard USB rates.

The former versions, i.e., QC 1.0 and 2.0, were very efficient. However, QC 3.0 is 40% faster and only draws a little more power. It is implemented using Intelligent Negotiation for Optimum Voltage (INOV) technology.

It is expected that Quick Charge 4+ can work with USB PD. This enables Quick Charge accessories to fast charge a broad range of devices. Conversely, Quick Charge 5 is known to be the newest in QC standards, and it can recharge smartphones up to 50% capacity in only 5 minutes.

Most new Android phones support PD charging, and more than half of the Android phones (including the latest Samsung models) also support QC 3.0.

Details of RAVPower PPS Fast Chargers:

1. PD PIONEER 20W wall adapter (RP-PC150):

Check on RAVPower.com

In terms of technology, the typical agreement is to go for more minor. This charger with the PPS fast charging comes in a compact design but offers efficient performance.

Specifically, it was designed for iPhone 12 series and provides a total power output of 20W.

Its size is identical to Apple’s 5W charger. However, it provides up to 3 times faster-charging speeds. Moreover, it supports PPS, QC 3.0, and USB PD 3.0 for broader device compatibility.

The charging speeds are optimized for nearly all USB-C-powered mobile devices. So, if your bag is full of accessories and you want a small, powerful charger, then you can buy this charger.

2. PD PIONEER 30W 2-port wall charger (RP-PC144):

Check on RAVPower.com

iPhone 12 users require a new power unit to utilize the phone’s maximum 20W wired charging speed. Recently, Apple declared that it would no longer include the power adapters with the iPhone.

Hence, it is essential to use a charger mainly designed to substitute the Apple adapter. The RP-PC144 can fulfill this need.

Tit is designed for the iPhone 12 series. It is MFi certified. Two ports are available, i.e., a 10W USB-A and a 20W USB-C port. The USB-C port supports PD 3.0 fast charging.

It can charge an iPhone 12 from 0% to 50% capacity in approx. 30 minutes. The total power output is 30W. An MFi-certified USB-C to Lightning cable is included in the pack.

Details of RAVPower Chargers that support QC and PD charging standards:

1. PD PIONEER 61W GAN wall charger (RP-PC112):

Check on RAVPower.com

The RP-PC112 charger uses gallium nitride (GaN) and USB-C. GaN lets the charger chips be tinier, which leads to the creation of a power brick that is tiny enough to accommodate a trouser pocket. Hence, these technologies ensure this wall charger is compact and cost-effective. The foldable prongs offer excellent portability.

With enough safety features, your devices stay protected during charging. Your appliances stay protected against overvoltage, overheating, and short-circuiting.

Furthermore, it offers a maximum power output of 61W. It can charge iPhones two hours speedier than other chargers. However, you must use a USB-C to USB-C cable to enable the QC technology.

2. PD PIONEER 20000 mAh 60W 2-port power bank (RP-PB201):

Check on RAVPower.com

Are you searching for a power bank capable of charging your gaming console and laptop? If yes, then there are two essential aspects to consider. You need to check whether it can offer sufficient power to your device and whether it can do so quickly or not. Remember that gaming consoles and laptops can’t charge from a standard USB port because they require a PD port.

The RP-PB201 power bank comes with a QC and PD port to fast-charge your phone and laptop simultaneously.

It charges your MacBook Pro as quickly as its original charger. Moreover, its design is smaller, less bulky, narrower, and shorter than most smartphones.

3. 252.7WH Power house with AC outlets (RP-PB187)

Check on RAVPower.com

Occasionally, you need a massive power boost, specifically when a power outage occurs. This is where this charger proves to be helpful. This product is a proper choice if you are looking for a charge that can power a tablet, smartphone, laptop, and console.

There will be no problems charging your devices to their total capacity, although done multiple times. Here, we are discussing the mainstream devices like Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra, MacBook Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max.

It is a portable power station with two AC outlets and a 60W USB-C PD port. These ports can charge mobile devices like drones, cars, refrigerators, and other small appliances. Moreover, this power bank boasts a compact footprint and is lightweight for seamless compatibility with a portable power station.

The included accessories are an AC adapter for recharging, a USB-C to USB-C cable, and a carrying bag.

Best PPS Fast Chargers on Amazon.com:

• PPS Super-Fast Charger (Check on Amazon)
• Anker 65W PIQ 3.0 PPS Fast Charger (Check on Amazon)
• USB C Car Charger, PPS Charger 108W (Check on Amazon)