Qualcomm announces QC 5.0 – 0-50% charge in 5 minutes

QC 5.0

QC 5.0 is the company’s first 100W+ fast charging solution, and it is coming later this year.

Initially, QC 5.0 will fast charge Qualcomm SD 865/+ and future premium phones, but it is backwards compatible with QC 2.0, 3, 4 and 4+ working at those maximum speeds.

QC 5.0

It also supports USB-C PD 3.0 100W standards, so it has a wider appeal for all USB-C chargeable devices.

QC 5.0 – tech stuff

It supports premium tier power management ICs (PMIC), Qualcomm SMB1396 and Qualcomm SMB1398. Supporting 1SnP and 2SnP batteries, wired and wireless input paths, adaptive operation based on the power source (3 level buck and DIV/2), and scalability (primary and secondary to provide higher power). These PMICs can support 20V+

It incorporates 12 separate voltage, current and temperature protections, including USB-input overvoltage protection at 25V and external power controls beyond 30V. It also runs 10 degrees Celsius cooler than Quick Charge 4.

Quick Charge QC 5.0 enables

  • Dual/Triple Charge technology
  • Adaptive input voltage
  • INOV4
  • Qualcomm Battery Saver
  • New Qualcomm Smart Identification of Adapter Capabilities technology

These work together to maximize power transfer efficiency, increase safety and help extend the battery life cycle on a users’ device.

GadgetGuy’s take – its no longer acceptable to wait two or more hours for a charge

QC 5.0 is welcome news for SD865/+ flagship owners, but as its backwards compatible it makes sense to pay whatever premium, to get a charger that supports all standards.

This comes as OPPO and realme announce 125W charging with QC and PD compatibility. Importantly both technologies recognise that dual smaller batteries with a larger total capacity are safer and portend the future.

You can read more on that in our Dummies Guide to USB and Thunderbolt. Qualcomm’s announcement is here.

QC 5.0