Google may ban third-party fast-charging hardware for USB-C devices

With smartphones becoming our 24*7 partner, faster-charging options like USB-C are increasingly becoming popular. But tech major Google is not liking such methods that promise those kinds of fast charging times but don’t use standard hardware.

Updating its Android Compatibility Definition Document, where it offers some strong recommendations on what it wants to see in future phones, in terms of USB Type-C devices, Google said, “Type-C devices are STRONGLY RECOMMENDED to not support proprietary charging methods that modify Vbus voltage beyond default levels, or alter sink/source roles as such may result in interoperability issues on the chargers or devices that support the standard USB Power Delivery methods.”

The most well-known third-party fast-charging technology for smartphones is Qualcomm Quick Charge, which is now in its 3.0 version. There is also some other non-standard fast charging hardware out there, like OPPO’s VOOC and MediaTek’s Pump Express. However, the updated documentation from Google clearly wants smartphone makers to stick with the USB Power Delivery standards that are used on its own Pixel phones.

“While this is called out as “STRONGLY RECOMMENDED”, in future Android versions we might REQUIRE all type-C devices to support full interoperability with standard type-C chargers,” the company further added.

Given Google’s stature in the tech industry, we expect OEMs to fall in line soon and establish a standard system and norms for charging.