Technology
How to tell if your phone is charging fast
Many modern phones offer fast charging capabilities, although a fast charger may not be included in the box.
To determine if your smartphone is charging at maximum speed, there are several tests you can perform to find out.
How do you know if your phone is charging fast?
Some phones make it easier than others because they show ‘Fast Charging’ or ‘Fast Charging’ on the lock screen.
But even if your phone doesn’t display such a message, there are other ways to check if your phone is actually fully charging.
Check for visual or audible signals
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
For example, the Nothing Phone (2) will display the text “Fast Charging” during fast charging, but many Android phones will display something similar.
On the other hand, iPhones make two ‘ding’ sounds to indicate fast charging, as opposed to the usual single sound when you plug in a charger.
Different manufacturers use different solutions, so the best way is to check the manufacturer’s website or your phone’s manual to see how it indicates that fast charging is active.
Use third-party apps
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
But if your phone doesn’t give any visual or audible indication, there’s still a way to find out how fast it’s charging. Go to your phone’s app store and install Ampere on iOS or Android.
This handy app measures the incoming charging current and voltage, which you can use to calculate the wattage. We use the Moto G7 Power as an example. This comes with a charger that can supply 5V at 3A, 9V at 2A or 12V at 1.5A.
With Ampere we can see raw numbers showing that it charges with (almost enough) 5V and 3000mAh. So it’s using the 5V/3A output, which is 15W, which is the fastest this phone can charge, which is why Motorola lists the charger on its website as 15W.
What is fast charging?
“Fast charging” is a term that has no precise definition and generally refers to charging speeds that are faster than standard. There’s also no universal stand or charger for fast charging; it depends on the phone, charger and cable used.
For Android phones, many support Qualcomm’s QuickCharge, but there are different standards. Some manufacturers have their own standards, such as Samsung’s Super Fast Charging. However, iPhones also offer fast charging.
Does my phone come with a fast charger?
To ensure your phone charges as quickly as possible, you need to know the wattage of your charger and the maximum wattage your phone can charge at.
The wattage of the charger can be found on the label on the charger itself. For example, if the output is 5V at 3A, the charger is 15W (Watt = Volt * Ampere). If the output is in mA, divide by 1000 to get Amps.
To determine your phone’s maximum charging capacity, you may need to search online for the detailed specifications of your specific model. If the wattage of your charger matches the maximum charging capacity of your phone, you have the fastest charger for it.
Mattias Inge
Mattias Inge
Mattias Inge
Otherwise, you may need to consider purchasing a higher wattage charger. Here are some recommendations for the best USB chargers you can buy. Standard chargers typically provide around 5W, while USB ports on computers typically provide 2.5W.
Keep in mind that even the best power banks out there also vary in their ability to quickly charge phones depending on the wattage available on each port. If your charger doesn’t provide enough power, consider investing in a more suitable USB charger or power bank.
What about fast wireless charging?
For wireless chargers that adhere to Qi or Qi2 standards, the minimum wattage is typically 5W, but many can deliver 7.5W, 10W, and even 15W, even if few phones can use the faster speeds.
Regardless of the phone model, if it supports fast wireless charging, it is usually slower than using a USB cable and a fast charger. However, if your phone doesn’t support it, there are some ways to add wireless charging to any phone.
For recommendations, here are some of the best wireless chargers you can buy right now.
