In today's fast-paced world, the demand for efficient and rapid charging solutions is continually increasing. USB Power Delivery 3.0 (PD 3.0) is a revolutionary high-speed fast charging protocol that ensures our devices can be quickly charged in a short amount of time when we are low on battery and short on time. This blog will introduce what PD 3.0 is and highlight some devices and power banks that support this fast charging protocol.
What is PD 3.0?
USB Power Delivery 3.0 (USB PD 3.0) is a universal charging standard for USB-C that allows a variety of devices to be charged quickly and safely over a USB-C connection, unifying the fragmented mobile phone charger market. Compared to traditional USB standards, USB PD 3.0 is designed to provide higher power levels and faster charging efficiency.
Here are some of the main features of PD 3.0:
Increased power output:
With the PD 3.0 protocol, the voltage and current can be increased to 20V/5A, providing up to 100 watts of power, which is significantly higher than other previous charging standards. The powerful power output can not only quickly charge lower-power devices such as smartphones and tablets, but also fast charge laptops and other high-power devices.
Dynamic power adjustment:
PD 3.0 intelligently adjusts power output according to the requirements of the device, ensuring the fastest charging speed while preventing overcharging or overheating.
Bidirectional Fast Charging:
With PD 3.0, devices have the ability to both receive and supply power simultaneously, meaning that devices like laptops can charge a phone. Power banks that support PD 3.0 also see a significant improvement in both charging and being charged.
Versatility:
PD 3.0 supports multiple voltages and currents, providing charging flexibility for a variety of devices. It can operate at different current levels at 5V, 9V, 15V, and 20V to meet a wide range of charging needs.
Differences Between PD 2.0 and PD 3.0
The USB PD 2.0 fast charging standard was released in 2014, specifying the USB Type-C interface as the only standard interface. In terms of charging, there is no difference between USB PD 2.0 and USB PD 3.0. Both protocols support 5V/3A, 9V/3A, 12V/3A, 15V/3A, and 20V/5A outputs, with a maximum charging power of 100W.
PD 3.0 brings several enhancements to PD 2.0, making it a good choice for fast charging. Here are the main differences between the two:
- Programmable Power Supply: The PPS fast charging function was added to the USB PD 3.0 standard in 2017. It can more finely control the voltage and current levels, thereby improving power efficiency and reducing heat generation during charging.
- Enhanced Data Transmission: PD 3.0 supports higher data transmission rates, making communication between devices faster and more efficient.
- Improved Safety Features: PD 3.0 includes advanced safety mechanisms such as overvoltage protection, overcurrent protection, and temperature monitoring to ensure the safety of the charger and the charged device.
Devices Supporting PD 3.0
Here are some common categories and specific devices that support PD 3.0:
Smartphones
- Apple: All models from iPhone 8 onwards (including iPhone SE 2020)
- Samsung: All models from Galaxy S10 onwards, all models from Note 10 onwards
- Google: All models from Pixel 3 onwards
- Xiaomi: All models from Xiaomi 10 onwards
Tablets
- Apple: iPad Pro (all models from 2018 onwards), iPad Air (all models from 2020 onwards)
- Samsung: Galaxy Tab S6 and later models
Laptops
Apple: MacBook (all models from 2015 onwards), MacBook Pro (all models from 2016 onwards), MacBook Air (all models from 2018 onwards)
Dell: XPS 13 and later models
HP: Spectre x360 and later models
Lenovo: ThinkPad X1 Carbon (all models from 2018 onwards)
Others
- Smartwatches: Some smartwatches support PD3.0 fast charging, such as Apple Watch Series 6
- Nintendo: Nintendo Switch
Best PD 3.0 Power Banks of 2024
To take full advantage of PD 3.0, it's essential to use compatible power banks that can deliver the required power efficiently. Here are some top recommendations:
X DIGI PB2100 Power Bank:
The X DIGI PB2100 not only has a high capacity of 20,000mAh but also supports PD 3.0, allowing the USB-C1 port to charge devices at up to 100W. This makes it ideal for fast charging high-power devices like laptops. The power bank is equipped with three charging ports (two USB-C and one USB-A) and offers a maximum charging power of up to 130W. While charging, you can monitor the real-time power and charging status through the smart digital display.
UGREEN Nexode Power Bank:
The UGREEN Nexode Power Bank is also an excellent mobile power source that supports PD 3.0. This power bank features three ports, with one USB-C port supporting a maximum charging power of 100W, and its large capacity of 20,000mAh allows for multiple device charges.
Baseus Blade 100W Power Bank:
Baseus 100W Laptop Power Bank supports PD 3.0, QC.4.0, SCP, FCP fast charging protocols supported by common devices. This power bank has 4 USB ports, 2 of which are PD USB-C ports certified for PD 3.0 and PPS with a power output going up to 100W. Compact in size, making it easy to carry around.
Conclusion
USB PD 3.0 is a game-changer in the realm of fast charging, as more devices adopt this technology, having PD 3.0 compatible chargers and power banks becomes increasingly important to keep our devices charged and ready for use, especially in our fast-paced lives where staying connected is crucial.